THE captain of Annan Warriors says it will be a dream come true tomorrow afternoon when she leads the team out at the Hive Stadium at Murrayfield in the National Plate Final against Garioch 2nd XV.
Ashley Clark has played with the team competitively for the last nine years after first attending a ‘come and try’ day back in 2015.
She said: “I have seen many highs and lows over the years with Annan, and apart from playing alongside my daughter, Ayda, in her first senior game as the 100th Warrior, this (the final) is for sure the highlight of my rugby journey.
“To be able to lead the team out onto the pitch at the Hive with my youngest daughter Lylah as mascot, will be a dream come true. It’s going to be a very emotional day!”
The 39-year-old, who predominantly plays as a flanker, has captained the side for the last two seasons after Nicole Jancey stepped down.
Clark said: “Filling Nicole’s boots was always going to be a big ask, but we still work closely together and she provides me with lots of support both on and off the pitch.”
Annan earned a place at Silver Saturday after beating Lenzie by a single point in extra time two weeks ago.
The captain added: “The semi-final against Lenzie has probably been our toughest game to date.
“We actually played them in a friendly in between the league season ending and the cup games starting. They ran out winners by quite a margin on that day.
“The game ended in a draw at 80 minutes, meaning we had to play 20 minutes of extra time.
“In the dying minutes Lenzie were in the lead, but the Warriors dug deep and never gave up.
“When Niamh crashed over in the last phase of play to score we were ecstatic, but still sadly one point behind.
“It all came down to the conversion. The atmosphere in those moments was unlike anything we have ever known.
“The tension was palpable. As the players and hundreds of onlooking supporters fell silent, Mally stepped up to take the kick. We all eagerly watched on – most of us – some couldn’t bear to watch!
“When the conversion went over and secured the win by one point the team erupted into cheers, hugs for Mally of course, and many, many tears.
“After ten years of asking, we had finally achieved a place at Silver Saturday. That moment is a memory none of us will ever forget!”
Clark added: “We are beyond delighted to be the first Warriors team to secure a place in the final, marking a historic milestone for both the team and club. It means everything to us.
“I know the whole team are very much looking forward to a great day out at Murrayfield.
“We haven’t played Garioch 2nd XV before, so it’s a real mixture of excitement for the occasion, but nerves and anticipation of what’s to come in the game.
“There’s no doubt in my mind everyone will play with heart, soul and true Warrior spirit until the final whistle, and hopefully not into extra time!
“The girls will give it everything they’ve got, and should be proud of all we have achieved, no matter the result on the day, but winning and bringing home the silverware would be the icing on the cake!”
