Match Report from: GUS ROBERTSON

History was made on Saturday as the Annan Warriors took to the Hive Stadium pitch at Murrayfield for their first National Final since they we formed back in 2014.

Before that though, the Warriors travelled up to Edinburgh and stopped off at the Murrayfield Hotel were the players received their match kits, a spot of breakfast and some words of wisdom from Club President Neil Moffat.

The team then made their way to Murrayfield to prepare for the National Plate final. Their opponents – Garioch Ladies 2nd XV.

Just before 3.30pm the Warriors walked out onto the Hive Stadium pitch to the cheers of the large band of Annan Supporters who had made the trip.

The start of the first half was a nervy affair as you would expect as both teams adjust to life playing in a National Final and also the artificial pitch.

It was the Warriors who settled that little bit better and it was no surprise when Kirsty Barlow crossed the whitewash for the 1st of her 3 tries. A break from the half way line from Nicole Jancey who managed to steal the ball from the Garioch attack set up the try. Nicole almost made the try line but her sister Kirsty was on hand to get the ball over the line. 5-0 to the Warriors. And only a few minutes played.

The next 30 minutes or so the game flowed back and forth, the Warriors were on the wrong end of a few penalties and with the penalty count and pressure mounting, 2 quick Garioch tries and a conversion took it to 5-12 to Garioch, 32 minutes played

However just when you though the Garioch Ladies were starting to get the upper hand and momentum, a great move from the backs and after a number of phases, number 8 Kayleigh Warrick barged over for the Warriors 2nd try of the match, 10-12. The conversion was missed.

And it got better not long after as the flying winger Kirsty Barlow grabbed her 2nd try after gratefully accepting a lovely weighted pass to dash over to make it 15-12 to the Warriors. Mally McGeoch successfully converting the try.

The half ended 17-12 to the Warriors shortly afterwards.

It was still anyone’s match but the Warriors and coaches knew they needed to reign in the penalty count and be a bit more disciplined in the 2nd half if they were to keep their lead and get the win. And reign it in they did!

The 2nd half kicked off but this time is was Garioch who were the scorers of an early try. The conversion was missed and it was all square at 17-17.

The next 15 mins or so the match moved from end to end but there was no more scoring until on the 60th minute, scrum half Niamh Ross scored after the Warriors had won a couple of penalties and had maneuvered the ball down the pitch to the Garioch try line and Niamh was on hand to score. Mally with the conversion and it was 24-17 to the Warriors.

And it got even better as Mally McGeogh nabbed the next Warriors try not long after. Mally made fabulous run down the left wing to score. The conversion was missed but it was 29-17 to the Warriors with about 15 to go.

Garioch Ladies hit back again as with 10 minutes to go, the Warriors defence was caught napping and the Garioch players eased through the Warriors defence to make it 29-24. The conversion was good.

600 seconds to go and squeaky bum time!

But the nerves were settled a bit not long after when Kirsty got her hat-trick try to take the score to 34-24 and shortly after all time top Warriors try scorer Jane Haren got the final score of the match after a great run. 39-24 to the Warriors.

And 39-24 was how the match ended a few minutes later

The celebrations could start and start they did. The bus journey home will be a thing of legend!

A great match and a great result for the Warriors who picked up their 2nd bit of silverware in their 11 year history. The other being the National 1 title a few years back.

Congratulations to all the players and coaches on this amazing result. Thanks to the amazing Warriors support and commiserations to Garioch Ladies 2nds but thanks for making it a great and exciting match and congratulations to Nicole Jancey also picked up the player of the match. Well deserved Nicole.

Warriors head coach Colin “Choc” Warrick

“What a day, the Warriors were fantastic & I couldn’t have asked for more.

We set out back in January with the target of making the final starting off on a freezing, wet Park Farm & finishing in the sunshine at the Hive the Ladies never stopped.

Its been a long time coming and all the players deserved their moment.

A massive thanks has to those who made trip to cheer us on, the noise coming from the stands was amazing.

I did promise it would be a day we would never forget & a night we may can remember, & am sure that was the case”

Backs Coach Calum Heughan:

“Fantastic all round performance by the Warriors. Gave the travelling support a great final to enjoy”

And a final word from a very happy Warriors team manager Tracy Whiteside:

“A day to remember. We believed and they delivered, all our dreams came true”

Starting XV: 1 Julie Warrick 2 Rhianna Parker-Clevett 3 Megan Cother 4 Hannah Paterson 5 Erin Ewing 6 Ashley Clark (c) 7 Lexie Glendinning 8 Kayleigh Warrick 9 Niamh Ross 10 Nicole Jancey 11 Kirsty Barlow 12 Malvina McGeoch (vc) 13 Lexie Steel 14 Joanne Clark 15 Jane Haren

Subs (all used): 16 Katie Morrison 17 Shirley Ewart 18 Stephanie McCracken 19 Ellie Smith 20 Ashley Cole 21 Jamie Graham 22 Tammy Allinson

#WeAreWarriors