Match Report from: COLIN WARRICK

For their third game of the season the Warriors welcomed Cartha Claymores to Violetbank hoping to continue their good form & unbeaten run.

With the visitors only able to muster 13 players Game On rules were applied & the game was played at 13 aside.

The Warriors started well defending a number of phases before turning the ball over then shipping it quickly through the hands allowing Joanne Clark to open the scoring with a well taken try.

This was swiftly followed by a 2nd try this time from full back Jane Haren who took advantage of another turnover to score under the posts, this was again followed soon after by her 2nd try of the day when from a scrum within the Annan 22 number 8 Kayleigh Warrick picked & went offloading in the tackle to stand off for the day Niamh Ross to feed Jane allowing her a clear run to the line.

Just before half time the Warriors sealed their try bonus point with an almost identical try with from a scrum the ball was fed to centre Joanne Clark for her 2nd try, and before the referee had a chance to blow the half time whistle the Warriors scored a further tries both from well within their own half through Hannah Sainsbury and Jane Haren sealing her hattrick.

Half time score: Annan Warriors 32 v Cartha Claymores 0

With a number of changes made at half time to allow some well-earned rest and some extra game time the second half started slightly more scrappily with the visitors allowed more entry in the Warriors attacking areas, however it was the Warriors who opened the scoring once again when Hannah Sainsbury scored her second try following a good turnover.

Annan Seemed to start taking the foot off the gas allowing Cartha the opportunity to score two quick tries of their own from close range.

Annan soon got back on track when from an attempted clearing kick, the ball was fielded by Jane Haren to score once more, this was swiftly (although starting to tire) followed by her 5th try of the day when from yet another turnover Jane burst a couple of tackles again to race over from distance.

To their credit Cartha kept going and were rewarded by a further two tries with the final Annan try coming in between when from a quick tap penalty on the edge of the Annan 22 Niamh Ross fed number 8 Kayleigh Warrick who raced through the gap and beat the cover defence to score under the posts.

Full time score: Annan Warriors 52 v Cartha Claymores 22

Following losing three players to injury in the opening two league games this game tested the Warriors squad depth and were assisted on the day by dual registered player Hannah Sainsbury from Stewartry Sirens.

All in all, a pleasing performance with the transition from defence to attack bearing fruits. Still lots to work on cross the pitch ahead of the next game.

Best in defence were Jacky Stitt, Megan Brogan & Amber Pattullo with Shield of the week going to Niamh Ross

In attack Joanne Clark, Niamh Ross & Jane Haren with her 5 tries stood out, this takes Jane to 113 tries in only 74 appearances with Sword of the match going to Kayleigh Warrick

Annan Team: J Warrick, E Jardine ©, M Cother, R Parker-Clevett, J Stitt, K Warrick, J Graham, N Ross, A Pattullo, M Brogan, J Clark, K Morrison, J Haren

Replacements (all used): A Clash, N Mullen, S McCracken, H Sainsbury