Women's 1st XV - Howe of Fife
A glorious sunny Sunday at Glencruitten yesterday - 2nd Feb at 2pm saw Oban Lorne Ladies Team take to the pitch for the first time this year. This was our opening game against Howe of Fife in the National Shield competition and it did not disappoint. The ladies were raring to go and fielded a strong side of 20. After a minutes silence to honour- Erin Quinn a former Howe / Shetland player who sadly passed away last week , sending thoughts and love from Oban Lorne RFC to both clubs.
The whistle blew with Oban set to receive and settled into play quickly. Ellie McInnes kicked her way up the park and with some strong phases Oban crossed the line in a few minutes with the capable hands of strong forward carrier Caitlin Fowler. Oban 5- Howe 0 Set to receive again Oban linked phases together quickly and another quick try from our fabulous Poppy McKillop weaving her way up the park bursting through the defence at pace. Conversion kicked by Ellie McInnes bringing the score to 12-0. Oban allowed some bad discipline to slip into play and were penalised with a number of penalties in succession for some high tackles and obstruction in rucks. Howe of Fife managed to settle with the ball and broke up the wing scoring a try which they converted . Score line now 12-7. Oban took some time to regain discipline and team were warned about tackle height. Some good defensive work and big hits from forwards Jordan Mac Intyre and Jodi Millar both very quick at the break down saw Oban regain momentum and possession. Poppy McKillop with her amazing footwork and speed made another strong carry over the line which was converted by Ellie McInnes bringing the score to 19-7. Oban then suffered a blow with a team yellow card given to Jodi Millar for high tackles. The ladies determined not to loose momentum fought hard to regain discipline after some strong words from coach Corrie Louw. Oban’s Arden Binnie managed to steal possession of the ball after a handling error from Howe and the ball crossed the line in the capable hands of Rachel MacDonald her first game back after injury and already in the points. Great to have you back on the pitch! Score now 24-7. Oban set to receive with an unlucky knock on saw us defending again. Some big hits from Caitlin Fowler saw the whistle blow on half time. Oban still down a player starting the second half came out strong and very quickly the ball landed in the capable hands of Poppy McKillop who was on fire yet again tearing through the Howe defence with a masterclass in speed and footwork to score her third try of the day. 29-7 Oban feeling established in attack and trying to keep settled and stay disciplined now with 15 back on the park saw themselves deep in Howes 22 and with a strong scrum and a pick and go from the back of it for Lindsay MacMillan saw Oban cross the line again(34- 7). Gaining momentum and keeping possession with some great line out steals from Jordan MacIntyre and Veronica Spiers saw Oban backs linking play well from Anna Bain and Heather Fothergill to our speed machine Poppy McKillop who ran home her fourth of the day right between the posts and converted by Ellie Mc Innes. Score line now - 41- 7 There was a small scuffle between two players which saw a yellow card for Jordan MacIntyre and Howes number 20 American footballer which took both teams to 14 players. Oban forwards put in some big scrums which regained possession with a turnover ball which made its way yet again to our superstar of the day Poppy McKillop who gave another mouth dropping display in line breaking , footwork and speed for her fifth try of the day. This girl is on fire!
Big tackles on the wings from Rebekah Palmer and Beanie brought Howe to tears and stopped them in there tracks. Some good strong runs from Ailsa McCuish saw the ball creeping up the park and making its way to our forwards with some good set plays and some brilliant pick and go’s from our number 9 Anna Bain who was breaking up the 22 at speed to then get wiped out with a bad upright no hand tackle resulting in a red card for Howes number 20 American footballer. With a penalty not far from the try line Oban forwards lead by powerful captain Julie Campbell rammed the ball over the line for the last try of the day. Final Score 53-7
Oban awarded back of the match to Poppy McKillop and forward of the match to Caitlin Fowler. Howe awarded player of the match to Poppy McKillop.
Our next game in the shield is away to Caithness on 14th February.
