Match Report from: Duncan Smith

Annan coach Juan Phyfer has warned his troops that they have “a target on their backs” as a team for the beating after slipping to another defeat in West Division 1.

The Amber and Blacks got their 2024 off to a bad start with a home defeat to second placed Lenzie last Saturday, which leaves them three points adrift at the bottom of the table, although only five points from safety.

Phyfer welcomed a lot of positives from the performance against their high-flying opponents and is still confident his side can gather enough points to stay up, although is aware that games are running out.

“It was a beautiful day for rugby and we had a really good home crowd, which was greatly appreciated by the boys but unfortunately we couldn’t give them the result they wanted,” said the coach.

“It was a tough game we deserved more out of and definitely could have won. We had three or four chances when the killer pass went in front or behind, or too soft or went over the top. A couple of decisions cost us tries. But a lot of positives but to ship 38 points was a disappointment.

“Callum Smith got a yellow card but down to 14 men we played some of our best rugby. Our final decisions cost us. They had three attacks in the second half and scored from all of them. So it comes down to being clinical.”

Ryan Hetherington and skipper Kieran Warrick got the home tries, both converted by Josh Whiteside.

“We just need to win so it was really frustrating. We deserved something. But we move onto the next one with a bit of a target on our backs as teams think we’re already down and will walk over us. So we need to front up.”

Annan face a tough trip to face fourth-placed East Kilbride on Saturday.

Annan Starting X: 1 Ryan Glass 2 Sean Haren 3 Kieron Warrick (C) 4 Frazer Hope 5 James Morrison 6 Eben Le Vin 7 Ryan Hetherington 8 Callum Bell 9 Ben Latimer 10 Josh Whiteside 11 James Kirby 12 Jonny Callaghan 13 Alex Halliday 14 Adam Torbet 15 Andrew Jancey.

Subs used: 16 M Bruton 17 Calum Smith 18 Fraser McMillan 19 J Glendinning