Match Report from: GUS ROBERTSON

The Warriors on Sunday took to the Violetbank pitches to take on old friends and foes Cartha Claymores in the 3rd group match (of 5) in the National Plate competition,

Both teams had the maximum 10 points after the first 2 matches and the players knew that the winner of this match would be in the driving seat to end the group stage at the top and qualification to the semi finals.

All to play for and a close match was expected as the teams had met in the league earlier in the season with each team winning the home leg.

But after just 20 minutes of the first half the match was over as a contest as the Warriors swept aside the visitors defence to take a commanding 28-0 lead!

Hannah Paterson with the first try of the day crashing over from short range. Mally McGeoch with seconds after plenty of phases from the Warriors. Then is was the Jane Haren show as the Warriors all time leading try scorer touched down for her 123rd and 124th tries in just 81 appearances. By the end of the half Jane would be on 125 tries!

The free flowing Warriors saw out the 1st half with 3 more tries, to take it to 47-0 at the break

Scrum half Niamh Ross burst through from the halfway line to out pace and dummy the flailing defence. Kirsty Barlow was next as she was on the end of a great backs move and ran 40 meters up the touchline to score. Then Jane Stewart, with her hat trick try, made it 47-0. Vice Captain Mally McGeoch with 6 successful conversion.

In the 2nd half, with the match won, things slowed down as the coaches brought on all the Warriors subs to get some game time as always happens it can take a bit of time for the players to adjust but the Warriors still ran in 3 more tries.

First was Lexie Glendinning who barged over from close range after a number of phases. Niamh Ross with her 2nd of the day after a quick tap penalty caught the visitors defence napping and finally Kayleigh Warrick with the 10th and last Warrior try of the match as the number 8 rampaged through a number of Cartha defenders.

Mally McGeofh with 1 more conversion and Niamh Ross with the other.

It finished 66-5, Cartha getting a consolation try.

All in all a great display from the Warriors who will now go into Sunday’s match away to Perthshire with confidence but know that Perthshire Ladies are starting to get back to the form they showed earlier in their league season so the Warriors will need to be at their best once again to pick up the 4 or 5 points.

Apart from the Perthshire match the Warriors also have a home tie against Lismore Ladies on the 16th March. The Warriors need to pick up 6 points from these 2 matches to advance to the semi finals stage.

For the record, it was Rhianna Parker-Clevett’s 50th appearance for the Warriors on Sunday. Amazing effort and only the 11th Warrior to reach this milestone.

Best in attack were Kayleigh Warrick, Nicole Jancey and  Jane Haren with Sword of match going to Tammy Allinson

In defence Lexie Glendinning, Hannah Paterson & Nicole Jancey stood out with Shield of match going to Julie Warrick.

Kayleigh Warrick was awarded Player of the match by the Cartha players and coaches.

Well done to all and good luck to Cartha Claymores for the rest of their season.

Annan Starting Team: A Clark (c) R Parker-ClevettJ Warrick H Paterson T Allinson E Ewing L Glendinning K Warrick N Ross N Jancey K Barlow M McGeoch (vc) L Steel J Clark J Haren

Subs (all used): K Morrison E Smith S McCracken S Ewart A Clash M Brogan