Match Report from: COLIN WARRICK

The Warriors headed to visit Cartha Claymores for the final away trip of this season’s league phase, hoping to carry the good performance from the previous weeks game into this one.

The kicked off & it was soon clear to see that it was going to be a tough test with the strong running Cartha forwards making good yards driving the Warriors back, when the Warriors did have possession, they seemed to struggle making the hard yards and that aligned with the number of errors would prove costly.

The hosts took an early lead only for the Warriors to draw level midway through the half when winger Steph McCracken scored in the corner under the pressure of two Cartha defenders following some good interplay.

With the last play of the half Cartha doubled their lead when the barged over from close range to take the half time score to Cartha Claymores 10 v Annan Warriors 5.

From the resumption Annan were reduced to 14 due to injury and with a reshuffle set about their work.

Unfortunately try as they might the comeback just didn’t get enough momentum with Cartha scoring a further three tries. The Warriors spurned a couple of chances to score when a pass went loose or the ball was turned over at the ruck.

Final Score: Cartha Claymores 25 v Annan Warriors 5

There ends the Warriors away travels in the league with a disappointing defeat. The lack of consistency in selection due to injury & unavailability proving costly as the Warriors cohesion & structure not to the standard required.

However, the effort in especially the second half of the game can’t be faulted with the players giving their all.

Best on the pitch were Lexie Glendinning, Kayleigh Warrick, Nicole Mullen & Jane Haren with Sword of the match going to Kirsty Barlow who had her best game since her return and Shield of the match going to Steph McCracken who made some great tackles alongside the good finish for her try.

This week the Warriors have a rest week before welcoming Irvine and Bishopton to Violetbank to round off the league season.

Annan Starting XV:  A Chierchia, R Parker-Clevett, J Warrick, J Stitt, N Mullen, A Clark©, R Connell, K Warrick(vc), J Graham, L Glendinning, K Morrison, M Brogan, J Haren (vc), S McCracken, K Barlow

Replacement: A Clash (Used)