MATCH REPORT: ANNAN 1ST XV v GLASGOW ACCIES

Match Report by: Alan Robertson

With the match in doubt, due to the dreadful morning weather, right up to kick off it was testament to the work put in by the volunteers that the match went ahead. The weather gods, obviously impressed with the efforts, relented and the match was played in the dry and sunshine although the conditions underfoot was not conducive to running rugby.

Annan started brightly and right from the start drove lay deep into the visitors half and were immediately rewarded with a penalty award which was converted to 3 points by stand off Craig McCann. However Annan’s lead was short lived and following a deft kick through from the visitors standoff and their fullback Cowan won the foot race to touchdown an unconverted try. From the re-start Accies collected the ball and drove down the pitch and after a series of forward drives, the Accies inside centre Bell cleaved through some woeful

 home defences and off loaded to full back Cowan who was once again on hand to cross the whitewash which with the conversion, the visitors looked in total command at 3 – 12 and memories of the 64-14 drubbing in October at New Anniesland were uppermost in the home supporters minds.

However, despite taking a pounding for the next 15 minutes, the Annan defences stood firm and following a loose pass Annan full back Kevin Jones intercepted the pass and set off towards the visitor’s line and put in a deft kick through the last line of defence but was beaten to the touchdown by the Accies winger. From the resultant 5 metre scrum Annan secured the ball and No 8 Sean Haren set up a driving maul and when stopped scrum half Mark Clark sent prop Colin Warrick over with a deft inside pass. The try went unconverted but Annan were back in the game at 8-12.

Accies responded with some fine driving play and very nearly scored when their No8 Beattie nearly crossed the line but knocked on. Annan were able to drive play away from the danger area from the ensuing scrum. Accies fought back into the Annan 22 and from a lineout and a series of rucks the Accies scrum half Frame prodded the ball through the home defences and following up his dribble fell on the ball as it bobbled over the line to score. The try was unconverted.

From the restart Annan, fought their way into the Accies 22 and following a lineout play was driven towards the Accies line and following 10 rucks and with the visitors sucked into thinking more was on the way play was swung to the backs and full back Kevin Jones coming into the line strode over to score. McCann added the extra points to take the half time score to Annan 15 Glasgow Accies 17.

The second half was only minutes old when the home backs put some great handling moves together, interspersed with their forwards, and replacement prop Ryan Glass was on hand at the end of the sweeping move to crash over to score and take Annan into the lead for the second time in the match. Annan’s lead was short lived however when from a free kick the Accies scrum half reacted quickly and set his backs in motion and the move ended with the Accies lock forward Johnstone beating the cover defence to score in the corner. Again the conversion was missed. Accies again punished their hosts when the  ball was turned over by their forwards and the ball found its way to their backs and it was their full back Cowan who majestically strode over to score his hat trick.

Annan were not to be outdone however and drove play once more deep into the Accies 22 and from a scrum 5 metres from the Accies line. The scrum was  wheeled and as it disintegrated lock John Nelson was on hand to scoop the ball up and drive over to score. McCann added the extras and the game was one again tied at 27 points all.

And then Accies scored again. From the restart the visitors gained possession of the ball and their alert backline sped up the park and it was that man Cowan again who was there to score his fourth try which was converted by Looms. With 5 minutes to go the Annan supporters probably thought that the game had slipped away from their team although they had gained their first 4 try bonus point of the season. Fortunately the Annan players weren’t satisfied with a single point and from a free kick the ball was kept in hand and play swept towards the visitor’s line with backs and forwards inter linking. Play was momentarily halted and the ball went loose and centre Alex Halliday was on hand to hack the loose ball towards the line and won the foot race to score. McCann was on target once again to tie the scores at 34 all. The final whistle went minutes later and Annan had secured 3 vital points.

This was as good a match seen at Violetbank for some time especially considering the conditions which had prevailed prior to the match. Whilst not a classic in the rugby purist sense every supporter went away from Violetbank happy that they had seen a full blooded contest.

Annan 1^st XV Squad: C Warrick, C Bell, C Nicholson, G Hogg, M Thompson, D Barnes, S Livingstone, S Harren, M Clark, C McCann, A Rae, J Bigham, A Halliday, D Wyllie, K Jones

Replacements: R Glass, J Nelson, K Warrick, B Jamieson (all used)