Annan battle all the way

Oct 30 2009 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Friday

WHITECRAIGS arrived at Annan in second place in Scottish Hydro National One, so Annan knew this one was going to be tough.

Conditions were very difficult underfoot as Whitecraigs began to apply early pressure. For a 10-minute spell, the home side were on the back foot and there was a sense of inevitability about Whitecraig’s first score as their hooker drove over the line for a try following several good phases of play.

However, Annan were in determined mood and came back with a bang. An excellent chip through from centre Michael Griffen saw Kevin Jones exploiting the space and winning the chase for a superb touchdown, with the Halliday conversion attempt unluckily hitting the post.

Annan were taking the game to Whitecraigs and playing with aggression and grit, epitomised by some sterling tackling and attacking play by youngsters Dwayne Barnes and Sean Haren.

Midway through the first half, with the score at 5-5, there was nothing between the teams at either end of the league table and Annan were playing with confidence and real spirit.

It has to be said that the second Whitecraigs’ try came against the run of play. A chip through was picked up by the scrum half and fed to No. 8 Pollock who went in for a Whitecraigs’ second try.

Scott McCann narrowed the score to 8-10 with a long-range penalty and when McCann slotted his second penalty to put Annan in the lead at 11-10, an upset was on the cards and the crowd was loving it.

Another McCann penalty effort went narrowly past and countered with a penalty of their own to take the lead at 11-13.

Annan had certainly been the better team in the first 40 minutes and it was a case of what might have been had they been successful with three earlier penalties and a conversion.

The second half started at a cracking pace and Whitecraigs nudged further ahead at 11-16 with a penalty. With weather conditions deteriorating, Whitecraigs began employing a very effective rolling maul which caused Annan problems and it was from one such move that their No. 5 stretched the lead with a try which was converted.

At 11-23, Annan were far from out of it and another twist was to come in this exciting game. Kevin Jones, a class act throughout, intercepted on the five metre line and sprinted the length of the pitch, leaving the opposition backs in his wake, to dive in under the posts for an exciting score.

McCann converted to bring the score to 18-23. However, a wayward penalty by Annan gifted a try to Whitecraigs’ No. 8 Pollock and the Glasgow side went into the final 10 minutes with renewed confidence. They ran in a further two tries to take the score to 18-40.

Whitecraigs will certainly be in the mix at the end of the season, with a solid set of forwards and pace and skill in the half-backs and at full back.

The young Annan side put in a Herculean effort and, apart from the last 10 minutes, were every bit as good as their Glasgow counterparts.

The Annan line-out was a bit scrappy, but virtually every other area of their play has to be commended - none more so than their fighting team spirit.

The match was sponsored by local band ‘More from Jim’ and their man of the match was Stuart Pollock, Whitecraigs.

Annan team: C Warrick, S Haren, A Jackson; G Hogg, K Watret; C Bell, D Barnes, J Nelson (c); A Jancey, A Halliday; S McCann, M Griffin, D Wyllie, J Crowther; K Jones.

Replacements (all used): A Rae, E Braid, R Gracie.

Annan 2nd XV 14Whitecraigs 2nd XV 31

Annan 2nd XV paid the price for an indifferent first half display against a well drilled Whitecraigs 2nd XV. Annan conceded four tries in the first 20 minutes and were only able to reply with 3 penalties from the boot of standoff Adam Carlyle in the first half. In the 2nd half the home side began to play some good rugby and to make inroads into the visitor's half. Their efforts were rewarded when from a ruck within the visitors 22 veteran lock Tam Thorburn crashed over to score an unconverted try. The last word went to the visitors however who scored their final try at the death to take the final score to Annan 2nds 14 Whitecraigs 2nds 31.

This weekend

After playing second-placed Whitecraigs, Annan now have the daunting task of travelling up the M74 to take on undefeated league leaders Dalziel on their home patch at Dalziel Estate in Division 1 of the S.H.E National Leagues.

Annan 1st XV squad: C Warrick, S Haren, A Jackson, G Hogg, K Watret, E Braid, D Barnes, J Nelson, A Jancey, A Halliday, E Currie, J Crowther, M Griffen, A Rae, K Jones. Replacements from: R Gracie, J Gilmour, C Bell, R Dunlop, C Nicholson.

Match Reps: C McCann, D Barty.

Meet at clubhouse at 11am for a 2pm kick-off.

Annan’s second string play host to Garnock 2nds at Violetbank in Scottish Reserve League West 1.

Annan 2nd XV squad: D Ryan, J Turnbull, J Crombie, I Thorburn, G. Smith, N Bell, W Henderson, N Halliday, G Forrest, A Carlyle, W Gray, J Harrison, A Yates, Adam Halliday, P Schooler. Replacements from: G Brown, J Tweedie, M Mannell, S McKenzie, S Broach, G Williamson, J Davies.

Match Reps: A Robertson, N Chalmers.

Meet at Violetbank at 12.45pm for a 2pm kick-off

Annan’s U16 team travel to the Greenlaw on Sunday to play Stewartry U16s in a league match. All players to contact their coaches regarding availability and time of meeting.