AYR LADIES v ANNAN WARRIORS.

TENNENT’S NATIONAL DIVISION 1
6TH FEBRUARY 2022


Match Report from: Colin Warrick

The Warriors set off on the return journey to face Ayr Ladies with the pitch at Millbrae having been confirmed as playable, travelling through what seemed to be all four seasons on the way with at some points heavy snow falling.

The Warriors with a number of changes from the last game knew another tough but yet winnable test faced them.

The game kicked off in dry but cold conditions with the Warriors playing into a reasonable strong breeze, Ayr utilised this well pinning the Warriors back & from a mistake when attempting to clear the home team took the lead with a converted try. 

With the weather constantly changing the game was quite scrappy with Ayr taking further advantage of some missed tackled to break away & score 3 further converted tries.

Finally, the Annan Ladies managed to gain some good possession & following some good strong carries by No.8 Kayleigh Warrick & centres Lexie Glendinning & Ellie Henderson gained vital territory deep into Ayr 22 with flanker Lily Glendinning forcing her way over to score the Warriors 1st try which was converted by Mally McGeoch.

Half time score: Ayr Ladies 28 v Annan Warriors 7

Buoyed with the bonus of playing with the wind the Warriors knew they weren’t out of the game as long as they played well, kept the ball & made good decisions.

The 2nd half started well with stand off McGeoch kicking sensibly to try & pin the home team back to force mistakes. Annan had chances but just could not convert any opportunities they had.

On 62 minutes the Warriors were dealt a blow loosing 3 players in the matter of minutes to injury which forced the referee to offer an abandonment of the game as with this aligned with worsening weather conditions, to their credit when asked everyone of the 13 remaining Warriors said they wanted to play on & for the 10 minutes prior to the referee blowing for time due the horizontal heavy hailstones falling the Warriors pushed Ayr back into their 22.

Final score: Ayr Ladies 28 v Annan Warriors 7

Of the injured Rhianna Parker – Clevett had to transferred to hospital with a potential neck / back injury but was later discharged given the all clear, & the Warriors thanks go to supporters Danny Lockerbie, Alex Jones & Billy Henderson for helping keep Rhi warm & in a safe position until the ambulance arrived, also thanks to the member of the Ayr medical staff who assisted.

Another tough day at the office for the Warriors proving yet again the benefit of having a fuller squad, but as always, the 16 who played stepped up to give their all.

With one league remaining away to Broughton Ladies on the 20th all eyes turn to that, hoping to finish the league season off with a win.

Best in the forwards for the Warriors were Lily Glendinning, Kayleigh Warrick & Eilidh Jardine with forward of the match going to Hannah Paterson who was making her 1st Warriors start.

In the backs Kirsty Barlow, Iona Cook & Ellie Henderson were to the fore but back of the match went to stand off Mally McGeoch

Annan Warriors Starting XV: S Taylor, R Parker – Clevett, E Jardine, R Reid, M Muir, H Paterson, Lily Glendinning, K Warrick, N Barlow ©, M McGeoch, B Carroll, Lexie Glendinning, E Henderson, I Cool, K Barlow

Replacement used: J Warrick

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