Match Report from: COLIN WARRICK

Buoyed by the confidence of a good opening victory against Hamilton the Warriors headed to visit Uddingston Ladies, unlike the senior men on Saturday they managed to avoid the lengthy delays on the M74 so arrived on time keen to carry on the early season form.

The game itself turned out to be a very feisty affair with the Warriors certainly not showing the same form as previous weeks. The game was littered with penalties with both teams seeming to struggle with the referee’s interpretation of the tackle height law.

Following an early yellow card, the hosts took advantage to score two quick tries before the Warriors had any meaningful possession. Once they did a following the return to full numbers scrum half Niamh Ross forced her way over from a quick penalty which was followed soon after by two tries from number 8 Kayleigh Warrick, the 2^nd following some good interplay between Nicole Jancey & Ashley Clark.

Around the 30 minute mark the game was halted due to serious injury to Warrior Nicole Jancey who was forced to leave the field, the resultant injury causing Nicole to miss the remainder of the league part of the season at least, we wish Nicole a full & swift recovery.

In the remainder of the half the hosts clawed a third try back before Annan extended their lead when in the act of scoring Ashley Clark was deemed to be tackled high with the referee awarding a penalty try & a subsequent  2^nd yellow card for the hosts.

Half time score: Uddingston Ladies 19 v Annan Warriors 24

The 2^nd half followed a similar theme with too many penalties given away by both teams with some good rugby played when possible.

Following a disagreement, the referee ordered a player from each team to leave the field permanently issuing red cards to both.

The game settled for a period with Annan’s Jane Haren scoring a try following some good work by the Annan backs.

Annan were dealt a further blow receiving another yellow card with Uddingston taking advantage to score two quick tries.

Moving into the final 5 minutes following the return to 14 players Annan were awarded another penalty try when scrum half Niamh Ross was high tackled in the act of scoring.

Full time score: Uddingston Ladies 33 v Annan Warriors 38

Although the performance wasn’t as good as previous week the Warriors worked hard to get the win, being tested by both the hosts & the loss of experienced players throughout the game. The work on of discipline especially when they referees interpretation of a law may be different to others.

Best in defence were Ayda Chierchia, Megan Brogan & Mally McGeoch with Shield of match going to Erin Ewing.

In attack Niamh Ross, Kayleigh Warrick & Nicole Jancey with Sword of match going to Jane Haren.

Annan Starting XV: A Chierchia, M Brogan, J Warrick, R Parker-Clevett, J Stitt, A Clark ©, E Ewing, K Warrick, N Ross, N Jancey, A Pattullo, M McGeoch, J Clark, K Morrison, J Haren

Subs: J Graham, A Clash (both used)