ANNAN 1ST XV v ARDROSSAN 1ST XV

Match Report from: Duncan Smith

Annan’s winning start to the season was brought shuddering to a halt as they went down at home to a strong Ardrossan side, with an injury to new player coach Juan Phyfer adding to the woes at Violetbank.

Annan started slowly and were 5-0 down early on and then 8-0 after 20 mins. They hit back through through Vice Captain Sean Haren. A trademark try. Fraser McMillan with the conversion.

It looked like that’s how the half might finished but lack of discipline and then concentration and Annan found themselves 7-16 down at half-time. Ardrossan with a penalty and then an unconverted try.

Annan, for whom Andrew Jancey was making a remarkable 300th appearance for the 1st XV, got a big foothold back in the game after the break, Alex Halliday with the try, his third of the season to cut the deficit to four points.

Not long after Annan took the lead for the first time. Jonny Callaghan crashing over to make it 17-16.

The lead didn’t last too long though as two quick converted tries and Annan found themselves 17-30 down and that’s how it finished.

Phyfer, who ruptured his Achilles and faces a long spell out, said: “On the positive side our fight and heart was there again, it was really good. We took the lead. It was a tough game.

“We shocked them a bit at the start of the second half and we played well in certain aspects of the game but defence and attack let us down at different times. It was just an unfortunate result against a team that will definitely be up challenging for the league.”

Annan travel on Saturday to face Dumfries and Galloway rivals Wigtownshire in Stranraer in what will be a third versus fifth clash.

Annan Starting XV: 1 Ryan Glass, 2 Callum Bell, 3 Juan Phyfer, 4 Michael Thompson, 5 Callum Taylor, 6 Alex Halliday, 7 Callum Smith, 8 Sean Haren, 9 Fraser McMillan, 10 Josh Whiteside, 11 Alex Jones, 12 Adam Torbett, 13 Jonny Callaghan, 14 James Kirby, 15 Andrew Jancey

Subs used: 16 Eben LeVin, 17 Murray Forbes, 18 Aitken Render, 19 Ewan Campbell