ANNAN 2ND XV v ARDROSSAN 2ND XV

The warm up started in an alarming fashion. With pagers sounding and the rapid disappearance of two players who are in the local fire brigade.

Fortunately the Annan Teams are stronger this season and both 1st and 2nd teams were still able to put out 21 players onto the field of play.

Ardrossan arrived with a squad of 19, and so the stage was set for a fitting top of the table clash

Both sides started in ferocious bone shaking and filling rattling style.It was some time before the deadlock was broken Ardrossan getting over the whitewash and converting first.

But Annan 2nd team were soon to respond with a fine up and under by standoff Lex Stevenson. Which was chased by both himself and wing forward Callum Smith. Smith caught it after a bounce and scored. Converted by Stevenson score 7-7 and everything to play for.

After a spell of poor tacking Ardrossan scored 2 more tries both unconverted. Player/coach Watret made changes. The Annan forwards got into their stride. Keeping the ball and cleaning out the opposition at the contact. The ball went through the backs hands and it was Stevenson who got around the opposition defender to score near the corner flag.

Converting his own try made the halftime score Annan 14-17 Ardrossan.

Stevenson took a hit to the ribs and had to come off Replaced by Ross Barlow Who performed well at fly half. Player/ coach Watret made more changes . Annan picked up two yellow cards in succession and Ardrossan were back on the front foot. Scoring 2 more tries and converting one of them.

Annan finished off with one more try. When after a solid scrum and more good forward play Annan second row Drew Thorburn evaded several tacklers to charge over the whitewash for his first try of the season converted Ross Barlow.

Final Score Annan 21- 29 Ardrossan.

Many thanks to Ardrossan for a great game and for making the journey.

Annan’s captain Simon Dix and coach Keiran Watret are keen to get the players more game time. So the second team are looking for a local fixture next Sat. We would ask all players to reply on Spond if they are available.

It is likely to be Thursday evening before a final decision can be made.

Starting Team: 1) Craig Bell 2) John McKay 3) Callum Taylor 4) Keiran Riches 5) Drew Thorburn 6) Callum Smith 7) James Morrison 8) Keiron Watret 9) Simon Dix (C) 10) Lex Stevenson (VC) 11) Ross Barlow 12) Scott Muir 13) Ben Conroy 14) John Glendinning 15) Dan Lockerby

Subs (all used): 16) Craig Stefaniuk 17) Liam Boyd 18) Gordon Henderson 19) James Morrison 20) Jack Ogilvie