CAMBUSLANG 1st XV v ANNAN 1ST XV

WEST REGION DIVISION 1
12TH OCTOBER 2024

Match Report from: Duncan Smith

Annan surged up to fourth place in Arnold Clark West Division 1 with this comprehensive bonus-point win on the road at Cambuslang last Saturday.

The visitors worked hard to gain the edge in an even contest before ramming home the advantage when they took control in the final 15 minutes to rack up an impressive scoreline and make it four wins from seven in the league this season.

Coach Juan Phyfer hailed a “massively improved performance” from the previous week’s loss to East Kilbride.

“We started really well and kept constant pressure for the first 10-15 minutes but let them in with their first attack in our half, but we hit back well to go 13-7 up at half-time,” said Phyfer.

Oli Ferdinand and Ryan Hetherington got the Annan tries but the home side struck early in the second half to move 14-13 ahead.

Annan worked hard to gain the upper hand and tries from Aitken Render, coach Phyfer and Aaron Carmichael sealed the victory, with Josh Whiteside contributing two penalties and two conversions with the boot.

“Getting these bonus points are really important,” said Phyfer. “Four try bonuses already from seven games when we only got six all season last year so very happy with that. It was a really good performance and everyone contributed. With better execution and if not for a couple of unlucky disallowed decisions we could have had ten tries.

“A big game at home to Oban now so we need to be ready to go again.”

Annan 1st XV squad: 1 Ryan Glass 2 Murray Forbes 3 Kieran Warrick (C) 4 Fraser Hope 5 Oli Ferdinand 6 Callum Bell 7 Stewart Livingstone 8 Ryan Hetherington 9 Josh Whiteside 10 Fraser McMillan 11 Max Thorburn 12 James Kirby 13 Aitken Render 14 Lex Stevenson 15 Aaron Carmichael

Subs (all used): 16 Wallace Alexander 17 Mason Watret 18 Ben Latimer 19 Ewan Campbell 20 Juan Phyfer

The 1st XV are back at Violetbank on Saturday, kick-off 3pm, as they entertain Oban Lorne 1st XV

With Kilmarnock looking unstoppable, the other teams in West 1 are fighting to finish as high as they can and avoid any potential relegation battles come the end of the season.

For Annan, after their 4th win in the league, they will be hoping to consolidate their current 4th place spot and close the gap on 3rd placed and Saturdays opponents Oban.

Oban played Kilmarnock last week and lost 38-0. All teams so far have been well beaten by Kilmarnock but Oban will have hoped to have done better.

The teams met last season down at the Everholm when Annan were convincing winners but the Annan coaches and players know they will need to be on top form to pick up the win against their Northern opponents.

MATCH PHOTOS

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

The match was not filmed

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