REPORT FROM DUNCAN SMITH

Annan Hornets Under-16s’ epic near 1,000-round trip to Shetland at the weekend was hailed as an excellent experience despite the tie being abandoned due to a serious injury for one of the home players.

The Annan girls returned home on Sunday afternoon to news that the player was at home and resting after sustaining a head injury which led to the match being cut short with the visitors 41-5 ahead in the SRU National Cup tie.

There was an extended wait for an ambulance and, as it was a head injury, the home player could not be moved until emergency medics arrived and it was decided to abandon the game. Annan now await a decision from the SRU’s competitions committee on their bid for a place in one of the two national finals at Hive Murrayfield Stadium next month.

The Hornets, coaches and support team left Violetbank at 6am on Saturday morning and flew from Glasgow Airport to Shetland for the 2pm kick-off.

They returned on the overnight ferry to Aberdeen, which docked at 7am before the long drive south and arriving safely by 1pm on Sunday.

The Annan touring party wish the Shetland player a speedy recovery and thanked their hosts for “exemplary” hospitality.

THOUGHTS OF COACH BILLY HENDERSON

Excellent tour by the hornets. All our girls traveled apart from Maddy Grierson, who had a prier event on, we missed her and hope she can come along next year.

The girls represented the club well all weekend.

Must thank Team manager Terri Graham for organising flights/ taxis and ferry transport at short notice. Angela for arranging the return bus and travelling with us to keep assistant coach Billy in line.

Parent Ashley and head coach James for ensuring everything ran smoothly.

Left Violetbank at 6am Saturday morning and arrived back at 1pm on Sunday. Sleeping cabins on the ferry for the 12 hour journey were a godsend.

Shetland girl had a head knock. Shetland hospitality was exemplary. Captain and vice captain Shaenah and Louisa handled over a club shield

Enthusiastic Shetland team who have improved measurable since our last game and can only get better with more game time.

They were supported well by a noisy home crowd.

For me our best action, was a training ground lineout move which worked a treat given us great yardage up the field. Now the forwards understand the dynamics of these moves they will hopefully use them at the appropriate time.