Match Report from: Colin “Choc” Warrick

With the league campaign over the Warriors kicked off their National Shield campaign with a 1st visit to McKane Park to play Dunfermline Ladies.

Travelling with a squad of 16 due to a late call off the Warriors knew they would need step up to the challenges laid in front of them by their hosts.

Straight from the off the Warriors set about their business trying to make in roads into the Dunfermline defence but found retaining the ball for that extra phase difficult. The Warriors task was further hampered when captain Ashley Clark left the field with injury, following a reshuffle the Warriors opened the scoring with a try & conversion from Hannah Paterson.

This gave the Warriors confidence, however soon after from a turnover in the Warriors 22 the hosts full back rounded the Annan defence to score out wide.

Photo thanks to David Potter

The Warriors kicked off again and went straight back on the attack but unfortunately the ability to retain possession haunting them when they made good inroads.

As the half came to a close, from a scrum just inside their half, the Warriors won the ball against the head & the ball was moved into the hands of centre Hannah Paterson who bumped off her opposite number to race clear & score under the posts.

Half time: Dunfermline 5 v Annan Warriors 12

The Warriors kicked off the 2nd half with knowledge that their 1st win of the season was in their grasp if they managed to keep composure & continue the efforts of the 1st half.

Again like the 1st the Warriors pushed forward but a couple of loose carries aligned with the inability to retain possession for that extra phase spoiled a number of opportunities but at almost the midpoint of the half the pressure finally told when following a period where the Warriors pinned their hosts on their line they managed to steal the ball for standoff Nicole Barlow to sneak over in the corner. The try once more being unconverted.

This score along with the hosts starting to tire allowed the Warriors to continue exert pressure with a number chances going awry, However it was scrum half for the day Lexie Glendinning who scored the Warriors 4th & bonus point try with a snipe from the base of a ruck.

Photo thanks to David Potter

The game was firmly in Warriors control with Nicole Barlow making a number of trademark breaks only for good cover to save the day.

With about 10 minutes to go the Warriors were forced to drop to 14 due to an ankle injury to centre Joanne Clark but thankfully the remainder stepped up & stemmed any attacks.

Full time: Dunfermline 5 v Annan Warriors 24

So finally the Warriors get their 1st big W of the season & kick off their Shield campaign with 5 points.

A good performance all round with special mentions to Jacky Stitt & Acacia Clash who both played the full game with little experience in the 2nd row & back row respectively.

In attack the 8, 9, 10 link of Kayleigh Warrick, Lexie Glendinning & Nicole Barlow steered the ship well with Sword of the game going to Hannah Paterson.

In defence the whole team worked hard but mentions to Jacky Stitt & Megan Cother with Sword of match going to Acacia Clash.

The Warriors now have 2 weeks break before the visit of Broughton on the 18th February.

Annan Team: E Jardine, M Brogan, M Cother, R Parker-Clevett, J Stitt, A Clark (c), A Clash, K Warrick, L Glendinning, N Barlow, L McGregor, H Paterson, J Clark, R Connell, K Morrison

Sub used: J Graham