Match Report from: Colin “Choc” Warrick

The Warriors headed off on their travels once again to face Cartha Claymores.

With only one of last weeks staring back line available & two late call offs the backline starting was very much a untried combination.

The game kicked off in almost perfect conditions & although the Warriors started well, the hosts capitalised on an early error to open the scoring.

So not the best start but the Warriors got back at it pressurising their opponents into mistakes, with the Warriors starting to get into the game when they had position with forwards carrying hard & the backs marshalled but Zoe Mitchell who stepped in at 10.

It was Zoe who struck the 1st blow for the Warriors when from a scrum on halfway number 8 Kayleigh Warrick made one of many breaks from the base to feed supporting Zoe who kicked ahead winning the chase to dot down.

In a repeat from previous weeks the Warriors went behind once again when they failed to control the kick off for the host to once again score from a mistake.

Again the Warriors were not to be outdone & from a pick up at the scrum by Kayleigh once again centre for the day Hannah Paterson breenged over to score.

Half time score: Cartha 12 v Annan Warriors 12

Knowing they were most definitely in the game the Warriors kicked off knowing the chance of getting their first win of the season was firmly in their hands. But like the first half the Warriors started poorly when straight from the kick off the hosts burst a couple of tackles to run in a score.

Again this score didn’t dent the Warriors confidence with them lifting their game once again for stand off Zoe to get her 2nd score of the game.

Unfortunately another dip in concentration saw the Warriors pinned back, & from a stray offload the hosts snaffled their bonus point try which was quickly followed by another opportunist score.

It was at this point around the 70 minute mark that the referee went down injured, & fortunately their was another referee on touchline who was willing to take over the whistle.

This seemed to throw the Warriors slightly with his different interpretation of the laws going against the Warriors allowing Cartha to further stretch their lead.

With only five minutes remaining although the game was out of reach the bonus point try was definitely within reach. The Warriors hammered n hammered at the line only to be turned over or penalised allowing the Cartha players to clear but not to be outdone the Warriors came back again with Captain Ashley Clark bursting through a tackle & carrying two over the line to score.

Final score: Cartha 34 v Annan Warriors 26

Despite the score this had to be the best performance of the season so far, especially considering the numerous changes to the backline, with still however things to work on.

In attack number 8 Kayleigh Warrick, flanker Ashley Cole both carried hard but Sword of the match went to makeshift centre Hannah Paterson.

In defence Becki Nelson, winger Steph McCracken & fullback Katie Morrison tackled well with Shield of the week going to Rhianna Parker-Clevett.

Special mentions for Megan Brogan & Eilidh who today made their 50th appearance for the Warriors, to Acacia Clash who made her Warriors debut & also to Jamie Graham who played her 1st game at scrum half

Warriors team: J Warrick, E Jardine, B Nelson, R Parker-Clevett, T Allinson, A Clark (c), M Brogan, K Warrick, J Graham, Z Mitchell, A Cole, H Paterson, J Clark, S McCracken, K Morrison

Replacements (both used): A Clash, M Cother