Endrick beat Annan and the weather

STRATHENDRICK ........................................... 12 ANNAN ............................................................... 7

Strathendrick played their first game for a month but it was worth the wait as they came out on top against visitors Annan on Saturday.

The weather has hit Endrick badly in recent weeks and the pitch was soft after heavy rainfall but it was playable while overhead conditions were OK until shortly before kick-off.

Annan had travelled for two hours from the Borders so the game went ahead and after only five minutes, full-back Dougie Duff chipped over the Annan defence and ran through to collect his own kick and touch-down for the first try.

Home supporters – including a lively bunch enjoying the club’s Ladies Day - were encouraged and looked forward to a chilly but competitive game. But then Storm Jorge brought in the next bout of sleet and snow showers and conditions got progressively worse.

The Fintry side enjoyed most of the possession and territory throughout the first half but couldn’t break through a determined Annan defence until, shortly before half-time when a series of pick-and-drives allowed Sandy Duff to dive over for a hard-earned score, converted by Kyle Campbell.

The half-time lead of 12-0 to the home team did not look enough as they faced a gusting wind in the second period.

However the Fintry team played the conditions well to start with: retaining possession and systematically driving the ball upfield.

With wind at their backs, whenever Annan did get the ball, one hefty kick downfield took play back to the Endrick 22.

Driving sleet continued, the temperature dropped, the pitch cut-up and players, officials and spectators were soaked and freezing but the game could not be stopped as there was too much at stake.

Eventually on 70 minutes, the Annan pressure told as they charged down an attempted clearance kick and raced through to slither over the line.

Although near the touch line the conversion was successful but Endrick held on for the vital win.