Annan roared backed to winning ways with a fine bonus-point victory away to East Kilbride last Saturday.

Six tries secured the maximum points which pushed Annan up to fifth in the Arnold Clark West Division 1 table after four games.

Playing with the wind in the first half Annan started well and notched tries by Aitken Render and James Kirby but some sloppiness allowed the home side to carve out a narrow 15-14 lead at the interval.

Coach Juan Phyfer was delighted with his players’ response and said: “In that situation the first score after the break is crucial and we got a good try through Ewan Campbell in the corner, with a great winger’s finish in the corner.”

Annan’s defence also pleased the coach and their discipline, with no yellow cards this week while EK were reduced to 14 through a red card for a headbutt incident.

Oli Ferdinand scampered over the line for the score that really turned the game in the visitors’ favour and then Ryan Armstrong and Aaron Carmichael added the finishing gloss.

Phyfer named himself on the bench and, as the oldest member of the squad, came on for his sixth competitive playing appearance for the club, replacing youngest member Wallace Alexander who was also winning his sixth cap.

“I’m really happy with the performance overall and now we have a big home game against Cumnock (at Violetbank on Saturday, kick-off 3pm).”

Annan 1st XV squad: 1 Ryan Glass 2 Murray Forbes 3 Kieran Warrick (C) 4 Gregor Anderson 5 Callum Smith 6 Wallace Alexander 7 Oli Ferdinand 8 Ryan Hetherington 9 Ben Latimer 10 Fraser McMillan 11 Ewan Campbell 12 James Kirby 13 Aitken Render 14 Adam Torbett 15 Aaron Carmichael

Subs: Eben Le Vin, Ryan Armstrong, Max Thorburn, Juan Phyfer (all used)

1st XV points: Aitken Render (T), Fraser McMillan (2C), James Kirby (T), Ewan Campbell (T), Ollie Ferdinand (T), Ryan Armstrong (T), Ben Latimer (C), Aaron Carmichael (T)