Oban trek ends in defeat

ANNAN Warriors hit the road on Sunday with an eventful bus trip to Oban for what proved to be a thrilling and hard-fought encounter.

The hosts scored first, making use of their strong and physical forward pack to crash over. And they continued the momentum when they added a second try in similar fashion.

The Warriors hit back quickly, capitalising on a loose Oban ball, Elise McMorran reacted fastest before quick hands from Nicole Jancey and Ellie Smith released Jane Haren.

However, Oban’s pack continued to apply pressure, using their power up front to secure another close-range try.

Jancey scored next after taking a quick tap penalty, dummying the defence and running in under the posts for a solo try.

The Warriors battled hard in defence, but the Oban forwards were clinical near the line, stretching the scoreline further by two more tries.

Annan answered back through centre Erin Ewing, who had been immense all day in both attack and defence. Following a dominant Warriors scrum, a quick backs move saw Ewing burst through a gap to score.

Oban added another try to extend their lead, but the Warriors were far from done as Haren soon grabbed her second of the day.

With momentum building, Annan kept pressing, and it was Hannah Paterson who powered over from close range before coolly converting with a quick drop kick. That brought the score to 32-29 in Oban’s favour, with just two minutes left on the clock.

The Warriors threw everything into one last push for victory, but it was not to be as Oban managed to cross the line once again and deny Annan a losing bonus point by the narrowest of margins.

Despite the narrow defeat, there was plenty to be proud of and even more to look forward to. The Warriors are gelling well as a team, blending experience with new talent and showing steady improvement week by week.

Warriors XV: Clark, Parker-Clevett, Warrick, Paterson, James, Irving, Glendinning, Smith, Ross, Jancey, Steel, Ewing, McMorran, Barlow, Haren. Subs (all used): Morrison, Graham, Clash, Banner, Jardine, Ewart, Nelson.