Match Report from: COLIN WARRICK

For the penultimate game of the league phase the Warriors welcomed Irvine Ladies for their first ever visit to a chilly but dry Violetbank.

The Warriors started well making good yards away from the clubhouse and soon opened the scoring when from a tap penalty number 8 Kayleigh Warrick scored after exchanging passes with captain Ashley Clark, this was soon followed by a second when stand off Niamh Ross dived over from close range following some good lead up play.

With the Warriors well on top with their defence putting pressure on the visitors the third try of the day followed around the midpoint of the half when from a turnover just outside the Warriors 22 the ball was moved wide into the hands of fullback Kirsty Barlow who raced clear leaving defenders in her wake to score, not to be outdone the Irvine Ladies opened their scoring when almost immediately from the kick off the Warriors knocked on for the ball to be passed to the nippy Irvine centre who took the space offered to race in to score a deserved try.

The pressure of the Warriors defence paid dividends once again when they managed to pin the visitors into their 22 for the ball to be turned over and moved wide where Mally McGeoch was tackled just short before popping the ball up to Niamh Ross to score her 2^nd of the day, immediately from the kick off Annan scored again when number 8 gathered on her 22 to race through the opposition team finally getting tackled just outside the opposite 22 to pass to wing forward Lexie Glendinning. This was again followed from the Warriors with their 5^th try when following a good carry & handling the ball made its way to centre Joanne Clark to race in and dot down.

Half time score: Annan Warriors 40 v Irvine Ladies 7

The second half commenced with Irvine down to 13 players due to a couple of head knocks which afforded even more space to attack, but the Warriors were keen to maintain structure and build on a good first half.

Annan opened the scoring fairly soon into the half when following some good carries by the forwards Niamh Ross dummied her way over from close range, this was mirrored fairly soon after when from a turnover by Lexie Glendinning, Niamh dummied and raced in to score once again. The Warriors 8^th try of the day was scored by Joanne Clark when from a scrum the backs moved the ball wide with Joanne taking a gap to score.

With the visitors head visibly dropping the Warriors kept coming with Kayleigh scoring her 2^nd when following a big carry by Amber Pattullo the ball was tipped on by Megan Cother to Kayleigh who duly brushed off two would be tackled to score under the posts and also Niamh scoring her fifth try of the day with yet another dummy from close range to dot down under the posts.

The final score of the day came from Warriors Captain Ashley Clark who ran in from about 30m out sidestepping and fending off any defenders who tried to make the tackle.

For the record centre Mally McGeoch kicked 11 out of 12 conversions a fine return from the tee.

Final score: Annan Warriors 82 v Irvine Ladies 7

After a couple of weeks rest a good performance but knowing the more will be needed in the final league game against Bishopton on the 1^{st of} December. A mention also for the Ladies from Irvine who despite the scoreline stuck in right to the end.

Notable performances came from Tammy Allinson, Megan Brogan, Kayleigh Warrick, Niamh Ross & Kirsty Barlow, with Sword of the match going to Mally McGeoch & Shield of the match going to Lexie Glendinning.

Warriors XV squad: 1) Ashley Clark © 2) Megan Brogan 2) Megan Cother 4) Rhianna Parker-Clevett 5) Tammy Allinson 6) Acacia Clash  7) Lexie Glendinning 8) Kayleigh Warrick 9) Jamie Graham 10) Niamh Ross 11) Katie Morrison 12) Malvina McGeoch (vc) 13) Joanne Clark 14) Amber Pattullo 15) Kirsty Barlow