WIGTOWNSHIRE v ANNAN 1ST XV

Match Report from: Duncan Smith

Annan squandered an early lead to slump to a second successive loss in West Division 1 as a strong Wigtownshire side fought back to take the spoils.

Annan shook off the long bus journey west and enjoyed a dream start as tries from Callum Bell and a brilliantly finished score by wing Alex Jones after a Josh Whiteside interception put the visitors 15-3 up, with a Whiteside conversion and Fraser McMillan penalty contributing the other points.

“We started really well and the second try from Alex after Josh’s interception is exactly how I want us to play,” reflected coach Juan Phyfer.

“Second half we had the wind with us but didn’t play at all unfortunately and our scrum-half Fraser got injured and Josh was yellow carded so both our kicking options were off the field.

“So it was a bit of a struggle. Our tackling let us down again, we were too high so it was a really frustrating day but the positives were good setpieces. We have little things to work on. It’s not great to lose and I’m not happy with that but also not too displeased and hopeful we can bounce back at Violetbank this Saturday.”

Annan host Cumnock at 3pm on Saturday, while the 2nds, who lost 57-10 to Kelso last week, are back on the road again as they face Allan Glens, also at 3pm.

Annan Starting XV: 1 Ryan Glass 2 Murray Forbes 3 Kieran Warrick 4 Frazer Hope 5 Michael Thompson 6 Callum Bell 7 Callum Smith 8 Sean Haren 9 Fraser McMillan 10 Josh Whiteside 11 James Kirby 12 Adam Torbet 13 Alex Halliday 14 Alex Jones 15 Andrew Jancey