ANNAN U16 BOYS v STEWARTRY U16 BOYS

After a week of rain the pitch at Violetbank was never going to make it easy for a classic running rugby match but Annan’s 17 strong squad was prepared for a close quarter battle with lots of contact, and rucking being the order of the day.

Annan started strong with an early score from stand off Harry Nordon, with a good “sidestep and go”, to beat his opposite number for the first points of the game.

Harry also followed up with the successful conversion and continued to kick well out of hand throughout the game.

The conditions of the pitch then brought about a drawn out rucking game. The visitors backs handled the conditions a little better than Annan to allow them to run in a few scores down the wing and through some kick and chase efforts to take the score to 28-7 to Stewartry at half time.

The 2nd half continued in similar fashion but with fullback Daniel Faulkner aware of the visitors kicking threat and Annan’s Center field defence competing well they were forced to move the ball wide, which to their credit, they managed, and ran in a further 5 tries.

The Annan wingers of Nairn McCourt, Aiden Smith and Cameron Vivers showed good improvements considering the lack of possession in attack and the skill level of the visiting back 3. The last score of the game however did go to Annan.

Final Score: Annan 12 v Stewartry 53

With sustained pressure in Stewartry’s 22, a quick tap from Annan’s No.8 Rohan Cother proved decisive as he crashed over to score the consolation try.

Some good efforts from the centres Aaron Kerr and Nate Nolan, and the back row Jack Vivers, Rohan Cother, Nathan Grierson and James Glendinning made Stewartry work for their tries out wide.

A good performance from the front five of Danny Bell, James Farrall, Jack Hilton, Captain Oban Nicolson and Man of the match Kelum Smith also meant the scrum and lineout set piece from Annan kept on top for much of the match, with Alistair Lockie in at 9 controlling things well and making breaks where possible.

The scoreline may have flattered the visiting team and Annan will feel as though they may have deserved to be in the game for a bit longer but they were up for the contest as a team and played as such.

With a little more focus on defence it certainly feels as though the games will become much tighter for this improving team going forward.