Match Report from: COLIN WARRICK

The Warriors returned to competitive action following the festive break with a visit to local rivals Dumfries Saints in the first game of the league phase of the National Plate competition.

The Warriors although unsure what to expect from their hosts knew that they were a vastly more experienced team and hoped to make that tell.

The Warriors started well going forward in both attack and defence pressurising the hosts and driving them back forcing errors, and it was from one of these errors on 11 minutes that following a scrum pick up from number 8 Kayleigh Warrick the ball was fed into centre Lexie Steels who was stopped close to the line, quick ruck ball allowing stand-off Mally McGeoch to pick up and dot down.

On 20 minutes the Warriors increased their lead when from a dart from a ruck by scrum half Niamh Ross the ball was popped up to the supporting Jane Haren who rounded the last defender to score, the score being converted by Mally McGeoch.

With the conditions worsening the errors increased but on the 30 minute mark from a penalty the ball was tapped quickly to Kayleigh Warrick who burst between two defenders & offloaded to flanker Lexie Glendinning to score under the posts, which was converted again by Mally McGeoch.

This was quickly followed by the Warriors fourth try when straight from the kick of the Warriors worked their way upfield with some big carries from the forwards, and it was from one of these carries that Captain Ashley Clark managed to free her hands to offload to stand off Mally McGeoch to score her second of the day.

Half time score: Dumfries Saints 0 v Annan Warriors 24

Straight from the kick off the Warriors pushed the Saints team back and from a goal line drop out the ball was fielded by full back Jane Haren who duly ran the ball back rounded two defenders to score in the corner.

The Warriors were now firmly on top and playing the ever-worsening conditions well, looking after the ball and retaining possession. The next try soon followed with some interplay down the touchline resulting in a hattrick try for Jane Haren.

The theme continued with the Warriors making good ground through the combination of good carries & also the boot of stand-off McGeoch. From a turnover the ball was recycled quickly and moved wide where debutant winger Ellie Smith gave Lexie Steel a scoring pass.

The final try of the day went to Niamh Ross who scooted over from close range after strong carries from Hannah Paterson & Megan Cother.

With the conditions getting even worse the referee at this point called the game short with a number of players suffering really badly in the cold.

So, a good start in the plate campaign from the Warriors in what were at times some really awful conditions, but considering this there was some really good rugby played. The Warriors playing with some good pace and intensity in both attack and defence.

Still things to work on ahead of the next games but the Warriors can go into these with confidence.

Best on the day in defence were Kayleigh Warrick, Lexie Glendinning and Hannah Paterson with Shield of the match going to Jane Haren.

In attack Julie Warrick, Kayleigh Warrick, Megan Cother shone in the forwards as well as half backs Niamh Ross & Mally McGeoch with Sword of back going to Lexie Glendinning.

Special shout outs go to Hannah Paterson on her 1^st game back following the birth of her daughter, Ellie Smith who made her Warriors debut, Shirley Ewart & Nicole Jancey on their competitive returns from injury, both of whom braved the cold and were both about to get on the pitch when the referee called the game short.

Annan Starting Team: J Warrick, M Brogan, M Cother, R Parker-Clevett, H Paterson, A Clark ©, L Glendinning, K Warrick, N Ross, M McGeoch (vc), S McCracken, L Steel, J Clark, K Barlow, J Haren

Subs: N Jancey, K Morrison (used), J Graham (used) E Smith (used), S Ewart, A Clash (used)