Match Report from: COLIN WARRICK

For the final game of the league season the Warriors welcomed league leaders Bishopton to Violetbank looking to revenge the defeat from earlier in the season.

Kicking away from the clubhouse the Warriors started well turning over the ball within the early minutes and transitioning quickly into attack when following strong carries from Julie Warrick & the returning Lexie Steel, scrum half Niamh Ross broke from the base of the ruck to race clear to open the Warriors account.

The Warriors lead was increased almost immediately when from a scrum the Warriors defence drove the visitors back allowing flanker Lexie Glendinning to jackal the ball to gain vital possession and territory and from a quick tap penalty scrum half Niamh scored her 2^nd diving over from close range.

The half continued with a similar pattern the Warriors defence putting a lot of pressure on the visitors attack and when on attack good strong carries across the board paying dividends.

It was from one these defensive efforts that the Warriors forced a mistake and from the scrum drove forward building phase after phase before Rhianna Parker-Clevett forced her way over to score the Warriors third try.

For the remainder of the half the Bishopton team came more into the game putting some periods of possession together forcing the Warriors back into their own 22, from this pressure they managing to create what looked like a try scoring opportunity only for Warriors full back to put a huge try saving tackle in to prevent the visiting winger scoring in the corner.

Half time score: Annan Warriors 19 v Bishopton 0

With Annan playing with the breeze behind they kicked off knowing that the job was still only half done and they would need to play with same determination and intensity in the second half to get the win.

The Warriors couldn’t have asked for a better start to the half when from a lineout the ball was recovered and fed to number 8 Kayleigh Warrick who put the Warriors onto the front foot with a barnstorming run before offloading in contact to stand off Mally McGeoch who moved the ball onto Jane Haren to score on the corner.

On 50 minutes the game was halted due to two of the Bishopton players having to leave the field with what looked like serious injuries, both of which we wish well and a speedy recovery. This break didn’t lessen the Warriors mindset and from the restart scrum number 8 Kayleigh picked from the base feeding scrum half Niamh who offloaded to half back partner Mally who in turn fed fullback Jane who dotted down for her second try.

With the Warriors making the most of the breeze stand off Mally used her educated boot to pin the visitors back and the disciplined pressure from the defence paid dividends once again when from a pressurised clearance kick stand off Mally beat the 1^st chasing player to kick long towards the post and out of what seemed nowhere winger Kirsty Barlow flew past the retreating defenders to dive on the ball for a try to the roars of a very vocal crowd.

The score continued to come this time following another period of possession where the ball was moved through the backs hands for Lexie Steel to break the line only to stopped just short and from the ruck number 8 Kayleigh Warrick drove over to score a well-earned score.

With time running out the final score of the game came from Annan full back Jane Haren who completed her hat trick with a score near the posts, with Mally kicking her fourth conversion.

Final score: Annan Warriors 48 v Bishopton 0

A great performance to end the league season, defensively probably one of the best of the season, showing that hard work spent on the new defensive structure is paying dividends. In attack the hard carrying from the forwards creating good yards & quick ball giving the backs the opportunities to run free.

Tough to single out individuals but in attack Julie Warrick, Kayleigh Warrick, Niamh Ross & Jane Haren stood out with Sword of attack going to Mally McGeoch, in defence Lexie Glendinning, Lexie Steel & Erin Ewing all tackled well with Shield of match going to Kayleigh Warrick

Also, a special mention to Jayne Banner who made her Warriors debut & also Lexie Steel playing her 1^st game for over 3 years, and finally to the injured Warriors and other supporters on the touchline who made the atmosphere one of the best at Violetbank.

As previously said, this ends the league season with the Warriors finishing runners up to Bishopton, winning all their games at Violetbank but unfortunately being defeated thrice on the road.

The Warriors now have the winter break before returning to begin the cup campaign in February.

Warriors team: J Warrick, M Brogan, M Cother, R Parker-Clevett, E Ewing, A Clark ©, L Glendinning, K Warrick, N Ross, M McGeoch, S McCracken, L Steel, J Clark, K Barlow, J Haren

Replacements (all used)@ A Clash, K Morrison, J Banner J Graham