Match Report from: GUS ROBERTSON

The 1st XV travelled to Strathaven last Saturday for their 15th league match of the season and their penultimate match on the road.

Confirmation of the relegation and promotion structure for the West Regional league was finally agreed last week with 2 teams being relegated from West 1 to West 2 come season end,

Its always a bit harsh on the teams in West 2 chasing for promotion as with just 2 teams being relegated from West 1, only 1 team from West 2 can be promoted at the end of the season. The uneven set up has been caused by 2 West region teams being relegated from National 4 into West 1 for next season.

As a result though both Annan and Strathaven came into this match knowing they were safe from any relegation battles as we enter the last few matches.

For the home side it was their last match of the season while Annan still had 4 to play.

Onto the match and it was a cold, wet, windy and miserable day on Strathavens artificial pitch. Artificial pitches and the Annan 1st XV have not gone well in the past but it was hoped that the team could emulate last years corresponding fixture and come back to Annan with the win.

Annan lost the coin toss had had to play with the win in the first half. Both the forwards and backs carried wll considering the conditions and scored 2 great tries.

First was through back rower Ryan Armstrong who touched down after 15 minutes. Josh Whiteside was successful with the conversion. 7-0 to Annan.

Annan were on top and as a direct result, the home side were reduced to 14 after numerous penalties resulted in a yellow card.

The lads managed to nab a second try not long after as Captain Kieran Warrick crashed over to make it 12-0.

Annan were unlucky not to be further ahead as the team were dominating up front and twice were held up over the line.

Just as it seemed the half time score would be 12-0 to Annan, Strathaven managed to score from one of their rare 1st half forays into the Annan 22 and it finished 12-5 at the break

The 2nd half was a different game as Annan were now playing into the cold wind and rain

Strathaven kept it tight in the forwards and eventually found holes in the Annan defence to score 2 tries as the start of the 2nd half to take the lead 17-12. There was still 30 minutes to play though so still anyone’s game.

But as the match wore on, Annan were struggled to get out of their own half and with the weather starting to take its toll on the backs, who were suffering from the bitter cold. there were plenty mistakes and knock ons that stifled any sustained attacks.

Saying that Annan defended well for long periods and the result could have gone either way. In the end though there was no further points put on the board by either team and at the end of the 80, and it finished 17-12 to the home side.

So a disappointing result but with no relegation worries the coaches will be looking more at getting the team ready for next season and with perhaps the youngest Annan 1st XV squad selected for the match for some time, the future looks bright!

The team now travel now next Saturday on the long trip to 4th placed Oban Lorne for their last away match of the league season.