Match Report from: COLIN WARRICK

Following on from two away defeats the Warriors returned to Violetbank to play Uddingston.

Winning the toss the Warriors chose to play away from the clubhouse & into the wind knowing a good start was needed to build into the game.

The game started well for the Warriors but however was halted fairly soon when following a high tackle Warriors prop Eilidh Jardine had to be helped from the field suffering a suspected serious hip injury.

However this early blow did not dent the Warriors determination and from the lineout following the penalty the ball was carried into the visitors by Kayleigh Warrick and from the quick ruck formed centre Erin Ewing drove over to open the score.

Fairly soon Annan doubled their lead try when from a quick lineout in their own half the ball was moved wide to centre Joanne Clark who made a searing break on the outside before being able to offload in the tackle to supporting full back Jane Haren to race clear to score.

The Warriors playing some cracking rugby further enhanced their lead when from an opposition scrum the Uddingston 9 tried to get a pass away whilst being tackled by flanker Lexie Glendinning only for the ball to pop up into number 8 Kayleigh Warrick’s grasp allowing her to outpace the covering defender to score close to the posts.

With the Warriors defence firmly on top this allowed them to pressurise the visitors into mistakes & conceding penalties and it was from one of those penalties close to halftime that the Warriors scored their fourth and bonus point try through Captain Ashley Clark who dived over from close range following strong carries by Sammy Durnan & Erin Ewing.

Half time score Annan Warriors 22 v Uddingston Ladies 0

Like last weeks game against Hamilton the Warriors played the 2nd half with elements on their side but knowing that a better performance was needed to allow them to seal the win.

Almost straight from the kick off stand off boomed a kick downfield and along with winger Stephanie McCracken chased hard to pressurise the fullback, the remaining Warriors helped to pin the visitors deep into their 22 and when the ball was hurriedly kicked clear fullback Jane Haren recovered the ball to break two tackles & round the remaining defender to open the 2nd half scoring.

Using the elements played dividends throughout the 2nd half with the good territory gained by kicks from stand off Mally McGeoch making the visitors have to work hard to get out of their 22 and the relentless Warriors defence bearing fruit once again when from an Annan scrum the ball was carried hard by Kayleigh, Holly and Megan C before being moved wide where centre Erin carried hard & straight, it was from this carry that stand off Mally darted through the ruck to beat the fullback and score a well-deserved try

Annan continues to press & this pressure was again rewarded with a try for winger Katie Morrison when following some great interplay by the whole team, with actually 14 out of the 15 players either carrying or passing the ball, number 8 drew in two players to allow Katie an easy run in to score.

The final score again went to the Warriors when following a good old fashioned up n under deep into the 22 the ball was recovered by Steph McCracken recycled quickly for Ashley to try and barge over before being moved to Steph again who this time twisted in the tackle to dot the ball down to score her 1st Warriors career try. For the record stand off Mally McGeoch converted this and 3 of the other tries to complete the scoring.

Final score: Annan Warriors 48 v Uddingston Ladies 0

So, a really good performance all round from the Warriors who bounced back well from two defeats on the trot. The hard work put in at training on show which certainly pleased the coaching team.

On the day every player put their hand up with better performances but in attack Kayleigh Warrick, Rhianna Parker – Clevett, Erin Ewing & Nicole Mullen carried hard, but sword of match went to stand off Mally McGeoch who steered the team & made really good decisions throughout.

In defence Lexie Glendinning, Kayleigh Warrick, Joanne Clark & Jane Haren tackled well but Shield of match went to centre Erin Ewing.

A couple of special mentions firstly to prop Julie Warrick who had the honour of leading the team out on her 50th game for the Warriors and secondly to Sammy Durnan from Stewartry Sirens who helped us out on the day.

Obviously, the Warriors wish Eilidh a full and swift recovery from her injury and also wish the two visiting players who were injured a speedy recovery as well.

Thanks also go to the healthy Warriors support who cheered on from the touchline.

The Warriors head on the road again this week to visit Cartha Claymores for what is there last away trip.

Annan Starting XV: E Jardine, M Brogan, J Warrick, R Parker-Clevett, N Mullen, A Clark ©, L Glendinning, K Warrick, J Graham, M McGeoch, K Morrison, E Ewing, J Clark, K Barlow, J Haren

Replacements (all used): M Cother, S Durnan, S McCracken, H Clark.