CARRICK 1ST XV v ANNAN 1ST XV.

Match Report from: DUNCAN SMITH

Annan suffered a blow as they slumped to defeat at Carrick in West Division 1 with a losing bonus point to take home from Maybole.

The 1st XV travelled with high hopes after a good win over the same opponents at Violetbank the previous Saturday but struggled to impose their running game on a narrow pitch and were edged out after leading early in the second half.

“It was a good even game for long periods and they were only 17-14 ahead at half-time before we got a couple of penalties,” said coach Gordon Carmichael, who handed lock Craig Bell a 1st team debut.

Kieran Watret and Aaron Carmichael got the Annan tries with a Josh Carmichael conversion and then two penalties from his boot nudging the visitors in front.

However, the double blow of a penalty try and yellow card for prop Watret cost Annan dear and they never recovered, despite Max Thorburn also getting a try.

Full Time: Carrick 31 v Annan 25

Next up for Annan is Cambuslang at Violetbank before a month-long winter break.

Starting XV: 1 Ryan Glass, 2 Murray Forbes,3 Kieron Watret, 4 Frazer Hope, 5 Craig Bell, 6 Callum Bell, 7 Callum Smith, 8 Callum Taylor,  9 Fraser McMillan,
10 Josh Whiteside, 11 James Kirby, 12 Alex Halliday, 13 Aaron Carmichael, 14 Max Thorburn, 15 Andrew Jancey (capt)

Subs: 16 Ben Conroy, 17 Alex Jones, 18 Ewan Campbell, 19 Finley McCartney (All used)