ANNAN 1ST XV v STEWARTRY 1ST XV.

Match Report from: President Gary Coupland

On Saturday 23rd October, Annan welcomed local rivals Stewartry to Violetbank for their latest Tennent’s West Regional League Division 1 clash and the first leg of the Chisholm Cup.

With both sides enjoying good wins in the league the previous week and each only having lost one game so far in this seasons league campaign a hard fought derby tussle was eagerly anticipated.

This was quickly dispelled and Stewartry soon exerted control with a lacklustre Annan team being second best in most facets of play. The home side giving more penalties away in the first 15 minutes than they had in the whole of the game the previous week.

With Stewartry scoring 3 unanswered tries and one conversion into the strong wind. Annan’s only attempts at scoring being two missed penalty kicks.

Although Annan improved in the second half they were unable to wrest control of the game from the visitors who scored a further two tries one of which was converted to take a 0-29 lead.

In the final quarter of the game Annan managed to put some phases together using the full width of the pitch which resulted in Josh Whiteside scoring an unconverted try out wide towards the end of the game.

Final Score: Annan 5 v Stewartry 29

Stewartry were well deserved winners and the home squad can have no complaints with the result.

This was a big wake up call for this Annan team in terms of what skillset, attitude and work rate is required to compete at the top of this very competitive league.

So lots to work on over the next couple of weeks at training until the home game against Lenzie, for both the players and coaches.

Best for Annan on the day we’re Kieran Warrick, Alex Halliday and Harry Houldey.

Annan Team: Ryan Glass, Calum Bell, Kieran Warrick, Dan Robson, Neal Coupland, Harry Houldey, Frazer Hope, Sean Haren, Aaron Carmichael, James Bigham, Ryan Hetherington, Ollie Ferdinand, Alex Halliday, Elliot Haley, Andrew Jancey.

Subs: Aiden Craik, Zac Lockerbie, James Kirby, Josh Whiteside – all used.

Josh on his way to scoring Annan only try of the match