Match Report from Gus Robertson

The Annan Warriors travelled to Bishopton Ladies on Sunday. After the great win against Hillhead last time out, hopes were high of perhaps getting that 2nd win of the season against a side that had not won a league match for almost 2 years.

The Warriors started off really well and should have been 5-0 up in the first couple of minutes as Jane Haren crossed the whitewash but the ball was deemed by the referee of not being touched down correctly. A unexpected decision but it set the tone of the match as the Warriors got on the wrong side of the referee and could never seem to get it back onside.

The first 20 minutes though was fairly even but it was the hosts that took the lead on the 22nd minute. A lead they never lost; try as they might, the Warriors could just not seem to get going and were on the wrong side of 85% of the decisions.

In total over the match, the Warriors had more penalties and cards against them than they had had for the last 4 league matches combined and conceded 8 times more penalties than the hosts.

The match was a stop-start affair as a result, with the Warriors getting pinged for some infringement or other throughout the game, which frustrated the Warriors and the away support alike! This frustration led to several yellow cards and a red as the wheels fell off the Warriors’ game plan.

Having watched the match back, I can understand the Warriors’ frustration, but it was one of those matches where they’ll have to use it as a learning experience and be a bit more streetwise.

Bishopton Ladies deserved the win as they played the weather and match conditions a lot better than the Warriors.

The hosts ran in 5 tries before Jane Haren got her 2nd…sorry, 1st try of the match near the end to take the final score to Bishopton Ladies 29 v Annan Warriors 5

All in all, a frustrating match and all 21 Warriors will have left the pitch knowing they could have come away with a few more points or 5, under different circumstances.

For the record, Kelcie Smith was the Warriors attacker of the match as well as Bishopton Ladies’ chosen Warriors player of the match. Meg Phillips-Craig was the Warriors defender of the match.

The Warriors are back in action this Sunday as they travel to Lenzie Ladies. Will be another tough match especially since a number of Warriors regulars are unavailable due to October Holiday commitments. Go well, Warriors.

Subs (all used): 16. Megan Cother 17. Abby Tait 18. Lucy Forteath 19. Shirley Ewart 20. Marie McCulloch 21. Hannahj Herring