EAST KILBRIDE/CAMBUSLANG U18 BOYS V ANNAN U18 BOYS .

4TH SEPTEMBER 2021


Match Report from: Coach Andy Render

9 Annan U18 players travelled to East Kilbride on Saturday to start their season in the Boy’s West Region Development Programme, the were attempts to team up with Strathaven who were left without a game but these unfortunately fell through.  The EK/Cam squad numbered 20 so a 14 aside game was arranged to give as much game time to the players as possible.

Ahead of the game a minute’s silence was held as a mark of remembrance for the Covid pandemic.

The hosts were understandably more cohesive but Annan’s defence initially was strong, however eventually EK/Cam broke through to score an unconverted try. This was the general pattern of the first half, EK/Cam dominating possession and Annan defending valiantly. What possession Annan did find was usually quickly handed over either through an error or a loose kick.

The shared players were adjusted at half time and the Annan players continued to work hard in the warm early autumn sunshine and through a series of individual efforts managed to secure a score through Indy Swan, converted by Fraser McMillan.

The final score was agreed to be 34-7 although it will officially be recorded as a Development match.

Annan will have learned from this outing and hopefully with more regular attendance at training and more game time together can improve both their teamwork and their fitness.

This is a predominantly U17 squad but they did not look out of place against their opponents and should take confidence from this.

Best on the day for Annan was Aitken Render who covered every blade of grass on the pitch and showed a good lead to the others.

Thanks go to the hosts for their hospitality and willingness to make a game happen.

Next Saturday the lads host the Galloway team who are a combination of Stewartry and Newton Stewart and are likely to be a stern test – a good home support would be a welcome boost for the team.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS/PHOTOS

ALAS THERE ARE NONE