Match Report from: Colin “Choc” Warrick

The Warriors made the trip to Greenock to play their final league fixture of the season with the squad bolstered by 5 Dumfries Saints players due to the Warriors numbers depleted due injury & availability.

The Warriors hoping to close out their league campaign with a win that would boost morale ahead of the National Shield competition beginning next week.

Due to the almost monsoon like weather conditions the game was very scrappy but the Warriors tackled hard against their strong running opponents.

After a bit of tooing & froing it was Greenock who opened the scoring when they made the most of a loose ball to break through & score. Not to be outdone the Warriors pressed again from the kick off almost breaking the line only to be penalised for holding on allowing Greenock to clear.

From the pressure that ensued that scored a 2nd try just before half time.

Half time: Greenock 12 v Annan Warriors 0

A quick turn around to avoid the players getting any colder & the Warriors again pressed on with Ashley Clark, Kayleigh Warrick & Ashley Cole running hard in attack. Unfortunately again a loose ball caused a turnover with Greenock capitalising once again making there way into the Annan 22 before moving the ball wide to score.

Greenock scored their bonus point try soon after with a well worked try in the corner.

Annan made a couple of changes which saw the return to the pitch of stand off Nicole Barlow after injury, this allowed Annan to up the pace which paid dividends, with the Warriors battering hard into the Greenock defence.

With the conditions worsening & both sets of players suffering from the cold n wet the referee decided to call time at 60 minutes.

Final score: Greenock 22 v Annan Warriors 0

So the league season is over with the Warriors disappointedly relegated from West One with only one victory & a draw to show for their efforts.

Lots of learning have been & continue to be taken & thee Warriors will be back.

Best in defence were Steph McCracken, Kayleigh Warrick & Joanne Clark & in attack captain Ashley Clark, Abby Tait & Ashley Cole carried hard.

A big thanks to the 5 Dumfries girls who made the journey to help out & also Becki, Jackson, Murdo & Blair who made up the Warriors travelling support.

Next week sees the Warriors head to Dunfermline in the 1st game of the pool stage of the National Shield.

Annan team: E Jardine, A Tait, M Cother, R Parker-Clevett, J Stitt, A Clark (c), A Rogerson, K Warrick, N Ross, J Stewart, A Clash, A Cole, J Clark, K Morrison, S McCracken

Replacements (all used): N Barlow, J Graham, K Myatt, C Maxwell, T Humphries