First ever local league derby

Oct 17 2008 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Friday

BOTH Annan XVs were left without a game last Saturday with Annan’s 1st XV league game against Murrayfield Wanderers at Violetbank and Annan’s 2nd XV league game away to Lenzie both falling victim to waterlogged pitches following the horrendous weather at the end of the week.

Strange though it may seem this Saturday sees the first ever league fixture between Annan and Dumfries which makes this game a bit of a historic match for both clubs.

Dumfries have had a great start to their first season in Division 1 of the S.H.E. National Leagues and are currently lying in second place to Annan’s sixth place, albeit Annan have two games in hand

Dumfries come off the back of a great win at RHC last Saturday whilst Annan suffered at the hands of Berwick at Scremerston the week before and there is no doubt that Annan will have a difficult task on their hands on Saturday at Park Farm.

The Annan selectors have gone with the team as selected for the Murrayfield Wanderers game with one positional change with Alex Halliday reverting to his wing spot and Michael Griffin to outside centre.

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, M Griffin, A Halliday, K Jones. Replacements: R Gracie, B Blower, A Copland.

Match reps: D Barty, C McCann, A Robertson.

Meet at clubhouse at 1pm for a 3pm kick off.

Annan’s second string are also involved in their first ever league match against Dumfries at Park Farm on Saturday in Division 4 (West) of the Scottish 2nd XV leagues.

Annan 2nd XV squad: G Brown, C Bell, L Ogilvie (C), S Murray, G Williamson, K Watret, W Henderson, D Barnes, J Harrison, J Bigham, C Coupland, R Dunlop, R Copland, A Rae, A Carlyle. Replacements from: Adam Halliday, M Panzcak, C Henderson, W Gray, B Graham, G Hogg, N Bell.

Match reps: N Chalmers, J Mason

Meet at clubhouse at 1m for a 3pm kick off.