Match Report from: DUNCAN SMITH

Annan made an early exit from the National Shield as they were pipped 24-21 by West Division 1 rivals East Kilbride at Violetbank.

The home side scored three tries, through Oli Ferdinand, Ryan Hetherington and Aitken Render, all of which were converted by Josh Whiteside but it wasn’t enough as the visitors gained revenge for their recent loss in the league to the Amber & Blacks.

Annan coach Juan Phyfer said: “I’m disappointed but they were the better team on the day and just deserved to win it.

“They kicked really well into corners and some of our tackling was a bit suspect but I can’t be too hard on them. They built up a lead and we did well to peg them back to within three points but it wasn’t our day.

“I said to the boys we were maybe lacking a bit of the team spirit we have shown so far this season. It was a bit more individualistic but they got better on that. Aitken was our best player again and has become pivotal for us.”

For the record, it was Frazer Hopes 50th appearance for the 1st XV.

While it was Mason Watrets debut game for the 1st XV

Well done to both.

Annan Starting XV: 1 Ryan Glass 2 Callum Bell 3 Kieran Warrick (C) 4 Frazer Hope 5 Oli Ferdinand 6 Eben Le Vin 7 Mason Watret 8 Ryan Hetherington 9 Ben Latimer 10 Josh Whiteside (VC) 11 Alex Jones 12 James Kirby 13 Aitken Render 14 Ewan Campbell 15 Aaron Carmichael

Annan Subs: 16 Murray Forbes (not used) 17 Stewart Livingstone 19 Max Thorburn 20 Sean Armstrong 21 Juan Phyfer

The 1st XV get back to league duties as they travel to Cambuslang on Saturday.

The Lanarkshire club are finding life in West 1 a struggle this season but at Coats Park, Cambuslang are always a tough team to beat.

Last time the teams met was just over two years ago when Cambuslang put 50 points past Annan, so the Annan lads know the kind of performance they need to come away with some if not all the points on Saturday.