Match Report from: GUS ROBERTSON

The Warriors took to the sunny Viewfield pitch at Lenzie on Sunday for their semi final match in the National Plate competition.

It had been 6 weeks since the Warriors last match and the players were raring to go. As for the winner a trip to Murrayfield and the Hive Stadium was the prize!

The Warriors, despite their 6 week break, started off the brighter and it was no surprise when they took the lead on the 6th minute when all time top Warrior Jane Haren scored her 127th Warriors try. After numerous phases the ball made its way to Jane’s hands. There was still a bit of work to do but Janes swept passed the defence to score. 0-5.

Despite being on top, it took until the 20th minute for the next score. A thumping tackle from Lexie Glendinning from a scrum inside the Lenzie 22, dislodged the ball from the Leznie scrum half. It was pounced in by Annan number 9 Niamh Ross who took the ball close to the try line before Lexie grabbed the ball to dive over and make it 0-10, It was soon 0-12 as Mally McGeoch converted.

Lenzie hit back though after a good deal of pressure in the Annan 22, the Annan defence was penalised and was then caught napping as a quick tap and go by the Lenzie scrum half made the score 7-12. The try was converted

With 5 minutes to go in the half though the Warriors extended their lead as Lexie Steel crashed over in the corner after a bout of pressure on the Lenzie try line.

7-17 to the Warriors at half time but the 2nd half it was a different story as Lenzie Ladies hit back.

The home side, spurred on by the home support took the game back to Annan and the Warriors defence was tested time and time again. Something had to give though and one too many infringements led to a Warriors yellow card. Lenzie took full advantage and scored their 2nd try of the match, 12-17.

There was a stop in play as a couple of Warriors collided and had to be repaired!

After the restart the Lenzie Ladies kept on the pressure and with 15 minutes left they were rewarded with their 3rd try and it was all tied 17-17.

Both sides tried to find that winning score but after the 80 minutes was up it was still all square. 17-17.

Into extra time we went. 10 minutes per half and it was the Warriors, who like in the 1st half of normal time, took the game back to Lenzie and were unlucky not to score when after a great move, Ellie Smith burst through numerous Lenzie defenders but was deemed held up by the referee after she had crashed over the try line.

Not long after though, sub Erin Ewing scored in the corner in a try that was almost a carbon copy of Lexie Steel’s try. 17-22

With the Warriors piling on the pressure, they were required with a penalty in front of the posts. And for the first time in 115 matches, the Warriors elected to go for the points and points they got, and as it turned out a very important 3 points!. Mally McGeoch with penalty. 17-25

This took us to half time of extra time.

And like in the 2nd half of normal time it was the turn of the home side to fight back once again.  And fight back they did. 2 quick tries as their backs started to pile on the pressure turned the scoreline around and with less than 4 minutes to go it was 31-25 in Lenzies favour. Annan were also down to 14 again as a 2nd yellow of the match had been awarded.

However, this team is called the Warriors for a reason and with the 10 minutes up, the Warriors were camped on the Lenzie try line and after a number of phases, scrum half Niamh Ross touched down for the 5th Warriors try of the match. 31-30.

Vice Captain Mally McGeogh had the conversion to take. Get it and the Warriors would be off to Murrayfield for the 1st time in their 10 year history. Miss and the Murrayfield dream would have to wait for another year.

It was not missed! The Warriors clinched it with final kick of the game. 31-32 and the Warriors are off to Silver Saturday!

An amazing finish to an amazing game. Commiserations to Lenzie who could easily have won but it won’t be too long until the Lenzie Ladies make it to a Murrayfield final.

The National Plate final will be against Garioch Ladies 2nd XV, to be played on the 19th April. 3.30pm kick off in the Hive Stadium

Well played again Warriors. Never in doubt!

Warriors players of the match were Nicole Jancey and Malvina McGeoch with Lenzie awarding Lexie Steel as their player of the match.

Warriors Squad: 1) Julie Warrick 2) Rhianna Parker-Clevett 3) Megan Cother 4) Hannah Paterson 5) Tammy Allinson 6) Ashley Clark © 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

Replacements: 16) Katie Morrison (not used) 17) Erin Ewing 18) Ellie Smith 19) Stephanie McCracken 20) Ashley Cole 21) Shirley Ewart (not used)  22) Acacia Clash(not used)