Women's 1st XV - Annan

Oban ladies welcomed Annan to Glencruitten this weekend, after concerns about the storm a pitch inspection was conducted Saturday afternoon and we were good to go. The ladies struggled to get started with a few mistakes and lots of possession changes. However after being on the Annan try line for five minutes, Julie Campbell opened the scores by crashing over the line. Oban 5-0 up then demonstrated some great defence with lots of strong tackles from Jodi Millar, Katie Hamiltion and Caitlin Fowler. After a brilliant jackle and turn over ball from Arden Binnie Oban were back in it. Strong carries from Elaine Mitchell and Caitlin Fowler got the ball back in Annan’s half, a quick pick and go from the back of the ruck resulted in a try for Lindsay MacMillan. Score line now 10-0 Unfortunately after a passing mistake and Oban not reacting quickly Annan seized this opportunity and scored their first try of the match. With the Score 10-5 a high tackle from Annan resulted in an Oban penalty which gave Lindsay another try scoring opportunity with the support of Jodi Millar. Rachel MacDonald successfully converting it. A penalty from Oban resulted in a quick tap and pass allowing Annan to score in the dying minutes of the first half. Half time score 17-12.

After a half time chat from coaching team Corrie louw and Ellie Picken the home team were determined to get some more scores on the board. Isla MacGillivray caught the ball from the restart and made a great run. This allowed the backs to get organised resulting in some impressive footwork and a run half way up the park for Drew Bukley. The ball made its way to Poppy McKillop who opened the second half scores. Some great link up play between forwards and backs saw Julie Campbell make a strong run before offloading it to Evie Kellet. Oban were awarded a penalty in the Annan 22, a quick tap to Lindsay MacMillian and an offload to Caitlin Fowler allowed Caitlin to score her first of the match. An Annan score off a scrum didn’t see the ladies disheartened who carried strong from the restart and used width to their advantage, seeing Rachel MacDonald touching down on the wing. The next ten minutes saw mistakes and handling errors from both teams but unfortunately Annan used this in their favour and scored two tries in quick succession, this meant the score line was 32-29, with not long left in the game. Oban chose to do a driving maul from a line out, which was gathered by Caitlin Fowler who used her strength and footwork to end the match with a try. Final score Oban 37-29 Annan. Our women’s team are at home again this weekend against Lenzie.

Thank you again to the Mid Argyll girls who played for us this weekend. Thank you Kerries tyres for sponsoring the match.