WIGTOWNSHIRE LADIES v ANNAN WARRIORS.

Match Report from: Colin “Choc” Warrick

The Warriors kick started the season with an away trip to local rivals Wigtownshire Ladies for their 1^st game in West Regional One.

With a squad of 19 featuring 4 new Warriors and a new Captain in Ashley Clark the squad knew there would be a tough challenge ahead having been defeated by the hosts in the final at Moffat 10s.

The game kicked off at a pace with both sets of forwards carrying hard & facing tough early defences, however from an error by the Annan team the hosts opened the scoring with a runaway try which was quickly followed by a 2^nd when the quick Shire winger burst a tackle to race clear.

With the early onslaught out of their head the Warriors set about getting parity & had the upper hand for the next period of the game with a try from Nicole Mullen being disallowed by the referee.

Towards the end of the half Shire further increased their lead with a further 3 tries all from a good distance out.

Half Time Score: Wigtownshire Ladies 33 v Annan Warriors 0

With a couple of changes & the sook of the half time oranges the Warriors knew they had to now face the wind work hard upping their game if they were to reverse the scoreline.

The 2^nd half was certainly far more even with both teams throwing everything but the kitchen sink at each other with both having opportunities to score.

However, it took 20 minutes for either team to trouble the scoring when Nicole Barlow playing in the unaccustomed role of stand off nipped over at the side of a ruck to score the Warriors opening try.

Unfortunately, straight from the kick off the hosts recovered the ball & moved the ball wide once more for one of their wingers to score.

For the remainder of the half the Warriors continued to push but on the stroke of full time Shire recovered the ball behind their own tryline to break a tackle & run the length of the pitch to score the final points of the game.

Final Score: Wigtownshire Ladies 45 v Annan Warriors 5

Although quite a big defeat the scoreline didn’t reflect the game itself with the Warriors working hard in both attack & defence, but the momentary lapses proving costly. Lots of positives on show & still lots of improvement to come.

Special mention goes to Nicole Mullen, Amber Pattullo, Steph McCracken & Tammy Allinson all playing their 1^st game for the Warriors.

For matchday awards the Warriors have changed things this season to fit in with the Warriors theme.

Sword of the match (Best attacker) went to Kayleigh Warrick

Shield of the match (Best defender) went to Lexie Glendinning

Looking ahead the Warriors host Cartha 2nds this weekend & also launch their new strips so all support would be most welcome for what will be another tough encounter.

Warriors Starting XV: A Clark ©, H Clark, M Cother, H Paterson, N Mullen, R Parker-Clevett, A Cole, K Warrick, T Williams, N Barlow, K Morrison, L Glendinning, J Clark, A Pattullo, J Stewart

Replacements (all used): J Warrick, T Allinson, J Graham, S McCracken