Dalziel turn up heat in second half

Nov 6 2009 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Friday

THIS WAS the proverbial game of two halves.

At half-time Annan had battled to achieve a 0-0 score line and in the second half Dalziel ran in seven tries to gain an eventual 45-point margin of victory.

There was a contrast between the attitude and execution of play displayed by the home side in either half but Annan’s play was marked throughout by a stout defence and need for heroic tackling.

The men from Violetbank gained some favourable remarks from the home support for a gritty performance that should help to build confidence for the remainder of the season.

A catalogue of mistakes by the league-leaders, Dalziel, and a reluctance to spread the ball wide marked the pattern of the game for the first half.

Their untidy playing style also contributed to frequent penalties which disrupted the flow of play. The heavier home pack won a lot of possession that was frequently wasted as a result of wrong choices and poor passing.

However, Annan set up an aggressive defence which was underpinned by the work rate of the flankers Braid and Barnes. A foray into Dalziel territory after 25 minutes resulted in an Annan penalty attempt which drifted wide.

At the same time the home team was refreshed by their first substitutions and the game settled back into a siege pattern.

Annan came close with another penalty kick after 32 minutes and this sparked further substitutions by Dalziel. Just before half-time Ross Dunlop intercepted a loose pass near his own line to relieve a relentless bout of Dalziel pressure.

The 0-0 score after 40 minutes was a fair reflection of the talent and effort displayed by the two sides, remarkable only for their opposite placings in the same league table.

At the start of the second half the superior driving power of the Dalziel pack was put to better use and Annan were under immediate pressure.

The home side’s handling was much improved and five minutes from the restart they registered their first try from a set piece.

The score rate was then maintained at a try every five minutes and Annan had to work hard to make the best of a meagre share of the possession.

Under such pressure the character of the team was tested to the full and a lot of credit must go to the individual and collective spirit of the Annan side.

At various times and despite limited opportunities Halliday, Griffen, Jones and Dunlop attempted to run the ball out of defence in an attempt to test their opposite number. Perhaps better retention of the ball in contact was required but their enterprise helped to reduce Dalziel’s own attacking options.

When captain John Nelson was forced to retire just before the final whistle he may not have been exactly sure of his whereabouts but as he came to he would have been able to reflect on an honest team performance from which to build and progress.

Annan 1st XV: C Warwick, S Haren, A Jackson, G Hogg, K Watret, D Barnes, E Braid, J Nelson (Capt.), A Jancey, A Halliday, R Dunlop, M Griffen, E Currie, C Bell, K Jones.

Annan 2nds 0 Garnock 2nd 63: After last week’s effort against Whitecraigs, the seconds were unable to keep things going for another week.

The Garnock backs completely outclassed their Annan counterparts, largely young and inexperienced, though the forwards could claim to have a degree of parity especially in the set piece.

Annan looked likely to start with 14 men, but I Blair appeared before kick-off to provide Annan with a full team.

By the start of the second half, N Bell, S Broach and A Yates had also appeared, allowing some of the old timers a much needed break.

Kicking against the wind, Annan found themselves 21 points down inside 10 minutes. Each try came from the visiting backs, usually from well outside the Annan 22, as pacy running, good passing and back up cut through Annan’s midfield defence. All three tries were converted.

For the next quarter of an hour Annan stemmed the tide, but two similar tries, both converted, brought up a 35-0 half-time score to Garnock.

With the benefit of the wind, it was hoped Annan might be able to feature more as an attacking force in the second half, but it was not to be.

Normal service was soon resumed, and four further tries, all converted, made it 63-0 with some 10 minutes to go. There was no further scoring. The muddy pitch and wet ball eventually proving too much even for the visitors.

One felt sorry for the Annan backs, some of whom should be learning their trade in an U18 side, instead of facing a group of backs who would have brought joy to the Annan coaches if they were available for selection for Annan firsts.

Late call offs saw the Harrisons at half back, rusty but combative, while up front Billy Henderson and Neil Halliday led by example.

One bright gleam in the gloom was the appearance of Jonathan Crombie at prop. Once fit he will add to the pool of first XV props.

A little bit of history has been made this season for the Annan club as Saturday saw two fathers and sons play together for the second week in succession. With Willie and Jamie Harrison along with Neil and Adam Halliday taking the field.

Annan 2nd XV: J. Crombie, G Brown, D Ryan, I Blair, I Thorburn, C Nicholson, W Henderson, N Halliday, W Harrison, J Harrison, C Patterson, A Halliday, W Gray, M Mannall, R Schoolar. Subs: N Bell, A Yates, S Broach.

This weekend

Annan welcome Livingston to Violetbank this Saturday in Division 1 of the Scottish Hydro National Leagues.

The visitors were relegated from Premier 3 last season and are currently sitting in eighth place four places above Annan.

Annan have played Livingston on several occasions over the years with their last encounter being on February 24, 2001 at Violetbank when Annan were victorious winning 9-5. The hosts will be hoping that they can repeat that victory on Saturday.

Annan 1st XV squad: C Warrick, S Haren, A Jackson, R Gracie, G Hogg, J Nelson, E Braid, D Barnes, C Bell, G Smith, A Jancey, K Hogg, A Halliday, M Griffen, J Crowther, D Wyllie, S McCann, K Jones.

Match reps: D Barty, A Robertson.

Meet at Violetbank at 12.45pm for a 2.00pm K.O.

Annan seconds, with a three-week break from league rugby due to the autumn internationals, are currently trying to arrange a fixture for Saturday.

The Annan coaches have selected a squad and ask that all players contact the coaches who will finalise arrangements if a fixture is confirmed.

Annan 2nd XV Squad: D Ryan, S Wyllie, J Turnbull, J Crombie, G Brown, R Dunlop, C Nicholson, W Henderson, N Halliday, J Tweedie, G Forrest, J Bigham, W Gray, A Rae, E Currie, Adam Halliday, A Carlyle, A Yates, G Harrison, P Schooler.

Youth rugby: Annan U16s’ game against Stewartry last Sunday was cancelled. This Sunday Annan U16s are at home to Wigtownshire U16s at Violetbank with a 2pm kick-off. All players to contact their coaches regarding availability and time of meeting.