Tables turned on Annan Athletic

Oct 10 2008 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Friday

HAVING had purple patches in their recent wins over Preston Lodge and Cambuslang, Annan found the tables turned at Scremerston on Saturday.

A blistering first 20 minutes by the home side had Annan struggling to get into the match, and to all intents and purposes the game was gone before half-time.

With more of the wind in their favour in the second period, Annan tried hard to reduce the deficit, but came up against a strong Berwick defence.

After the heavy rain further west, it was a relief to find Berwick dry, and the pitch at Scremerston in good condition, making an open game possible.

Kicking with the benefit of the cross wind, Berwick started at pace.

Gathering their own kick-off they drove into the visitor’s half, and when their centre made a break in the Annan defence, the winger was put in at the corner.

Centre Hackett converted.

Keeping Annan on the back foot, Berwick were soon able to extend their lead when Hackett converted a penalty for holding on in the ruck.

Hackett, a real thorn in the Annan side, then doubled the Berwick lead to 20-0.

First he was on hand to pick up a kick through which stopped just short of the Annan try line, leading to some hesitancy in Annan’s defence.

His conversion was followed by another successful penalty, again for holding on by Annan.

Yet another penalty success when Annan transgressed at ruck made it 23-0, and to rub it in Berwick wing Gilchrist gathered another kick ahead for a try wide on the right – which Hackett proceeded to convert for 30-0.

To their credit Annan immediately replied with perhaps the best try of the match.

Fullback Kevin Jones caught the ball in his own half, dummied to kick, and set off through the Berwick ranks.

A pass to the supporting Craig McCann and a flick on to right wing Andrew Jancey put the latter in at the corner.

The conversion failed, but at least Annan had replied before half time. Score 30-5.

Annan had not experienced such a blitz in a while, with Berwick quicker in thought and deed, and with confidence in the home ranks high, everything they tried had come off, aided by the odd favourable bounce.

Surely the second half would be better for Annan.

The visitors were indeed more like their old selves in the second half.

They gained more possession, and kicked for position when appropriate.

An early penalty success for Craig McCann – following a long range near miss – made it 30-8, but that was to be all Annan could muster on the day.

The scoring was completed late on as the Berwick’s left wing gathered another kick through, and Hackett again converted, for a final score of 37-8.

The Berwick backs looked sharp, and their breakaway forwards put more pressure than usual on Annan half backs Clark and Smith.

Their defence when Annan were on the attack in the second half was also strong and well organised.

In an Annan side which kept plugging away, the ref’s man of the match was Michael Scott.

Annan team: K Jones; A Jancey, M Griffin, C McCann, A Halliday, N Smith, M Clark, C Warrick, P Carruthers, A Gunning, J Nelson, G Smith, B Blower, E Braid, M Scott.

Subs: J Bigham, C Bell, R Gracie.

Annan’s 2nd XV league game against Ardrossan 2nds had to be postponed as there was no referee available.

This weekend

This Saturday sees Annan take on Murrayfield Wanderers in Division 1 of the SHE National Leagues at Violetbank.

Murrayfield Wanderers were relegated from Premier 3 last season and although having lost four of their six opening matches this season so far they had a fine win last weekend away at RHC so another tough encounter is in prospect for Annan.

Annan last played their visitors in November 1999 at Violetbank and in an extremely close game nicked a win in the dying minutes of the game when Gordon Carmichael slotted a penalty to take the final score to 17-14.

The Annan selectors have made only two changes from last week’s selection.

As Bruce Blower is unavailable Michael Carpenter returns to the blind side flanker berth.

The second is positional with Alex Halliday moving to the outside centre spot with Michael Griffin moving onto the wing.

Annan 1st XV squad: C Warrick, P Carruthers (C), A Gunning, J Nelson, G Smith, M Carpenter, E Braid, M Scott, M Clark, N Smith, A Jancey, C McCann, A Halliday, M Griffin, K Jones.

Subs: R Gracie, A Copland, J Bigham.

Match reps: D Barty, C McCann, I Black.

Meet at Violetbank at 1.45pm for a 3pm kick-off.

Annan’s 2nd XV hope that they will get a game of rugby this weekend with two of their last three matches postponed.

This Saturday sees Annan’s second string travel to Lenzie in their Division 4 (West) game in the Scottish 2nd XV leagues.

Honours were even last season between the two sides with each winning their away fixtures.

Annan 2nd XV squad: A Graham, L Ogilvie (C), M Johnson. C Hay, G Williamson, AN Other, C Bell, N Halliday, J Harrison, B Hay, W Gray, D Wyllie, R Copland, C Coupland, A Rae.

Replacements: Adam Halliday, M Panzcak, G Johnson.