Annan 1st XV 19-63 Kilmarnock 1st XV
WITH seven changes to the starting XV from the previous week, and 11 changes in total, the Annan players and supporters knew that a tough match against champions elect Kilmarnock was going to be that wee bit tougher on Saturday.
The East Ayrshire club have won West Division One, and they proved too much for the home side at Violetbank, beating Annan 63-19.
Declan Ferguson started for the 1st XV for the first time in five years, Michael Thompson returned for the first time this season and Neal Coupland came out of his two year rugby retirement for the cause.
Kilmarnock had brought down a large number of supporters, and with most of Annan Rugby away at Murrayfield supporting the Warriors, the atmosphere at Violetbank was a bit different than usual!
Ryan Hetherington led out the Annan lads on the occasion of his 100th cap for the Black and Amber.
In the first half the home side gave Kilmarnock too much respect and room, and the away team ran in three quick tries.
Annan did hit back thanks to a well worked try as Ryan Armstrong dotted down under the posts, Fraser McMillan with the conversion.
However, the home side could just not get the ball off the away side and Kilmarnock ran in five more tries to lead at half time 44-7
The second half was a much better performance from the hosts. After several changes, the Annan defence and attack was a lot more aggressive.
The second half ended 19-12 to Kilmarnock. Hetherington added this 14th try of the season and a McMillan try and conversion were the Annan point scorers.
Hetherington with his 16 tries ended as the season’s top try scorer for the 1st XV.
Thanks are expressed to the boys that played on Saturday, with a number playing out of position and once again never giving up, and congratulations to Kilmarnock for winning West Division One.
ON Sunday the U16 Boys hosted Welsh touring side Caernarfon U16.
The Welsh side had beaten Stewartry the day before and the Annan/Moffat lads were put to the same fate as Caernarfon proved far too strong to run out convincing winners.
With the league season over for the senior and youth teams, only a couple of squads are in action this weekend.
On Sunday the U14 Girls hosts teams from around the region for some development matches, 11 am start up at Violetbank.
Meanwhile, the mighty P1-P7 Tigers are back in action as they travel to Stewartry, 11 am start at Greenlaw.
