Match Report from Gus Robertson

The Warriors had never beaten the Sirens in 5 league encounters but had won once in a pre-season friendly, so the Warriors and coaching team were hoping for that first league win today.

The last time the teams had met was almost 5 years to the day, back on the 5th September 2021 – so for a lot of players this was their first Annan-Stewartry Derby match.

In the first half, the Warriors got off to a flyer when Warriors all-time top try scorer Jane Haren crossed over after 5 minutes, converted by Mally McGeogh. 7-0

It was a sweeping move involving backs and forwards, with Jane outsprinting the flailing Stewartry defence.

Both teams had chances, but it was the visitors who scored next on the 22nd minute. 7-5

And this seemed to spur the Sirens on, and 2 quick tries 1 converted, and it was suddenly 7-17 with about 10 mins left the 1st half.

And 7-17 was how the half ended.

It was now all important who scored the next try.

Defences were on top, with both teams having chances and it wasn’t until a few minutes to go that the next try was scored. Unfortunately for Warriors, it was for the visitors

At the death though, the last try the winners’ rules were invoked  as Kirsty Barlow crossed over. Mally converted. Another great backs move with Kirsty scything through the tiring Stewartry defence

Full time score: Warriors 14 v Sirens 22