Women's 1st XV - Irvine

Oban Lorne Ladies first game of the 2025/26 season kicked off on Sunday travelling away to Irvine. It was nice and sunny but some strong windy conditions which made for a game of few line outs. Captain Julie Campbell kicked off the scoring early and set the standard for the team who stepped up to the plate. Lots of strong carries from Ailsa Maclachlann and Poppy McKillop saw a birthday try for Ailsa shortly followed by a well read intercepted pass which then turned into a try for Irvine after some sloppy defensive work from Oban, more first half action saw two brilliant runs for Poppy weaving in and out of the Irvine defence scoring 2 tries in the first half. Rachel MacDonald sneaked through for a try aswell before getting an unlucky yellow for a high tackle. Some substitutions for Oban saw Caitlin Fowler and Isla McGillvery take to the park, not long on Caitlin made some really strong carries and big hits resulting in a try for her before the half time whistle. With 3 good conversions from Ellie MacInnes in tricky conditions the half time score was Irvine 5- Oban 36. A good team talk from Corrie and Ellie saw Oban back to 15 players and settle even more into the second half with some brilliant team work. Second half try scorers saw another from Poppy McKillop, giving her a hatrick along side Caitlin Fowler who was demonstrating amazing carrying skills and got another 2 tries in this half. Eilidh Graham who came on the park in the second half made a huge impact with 3 tries and big carries. So 3 hatricks for these girls who were literally on fire! 🔥 Another try and some brilliant runs for our captain Julie Campbell saw another try for her, also a try and a big shout out for our nine Evie Kellet from Mull, first game for us and she smashed it in difficult conditions with some great running and also made it over the line for a try. Well done Evie. We welcomed Chloe Malcom to the pitch for her first game with Oban Lorne ladies and she made some big dents in the defence and big carries well done Chloe. Strong support runs from Jordan MacIntyre and lots of turn over balls from Ailsa Maclachlann who was our player of the match and away teams play of the Match was our very own Julie Campbell and hence why our captain. Well done girls. Final Score Irvine 5 - Oban 83.

More of the same next week please and due to us conceding a try we have broncos to do on Tuesday. We play again next Sunday away to Hamilton.