Posted by: Lisbeth Grant  [ March 9th 2010, 19:51:19 ]

As many of you will no doubt be aware, plans are in place to improve the educational provision at secondary level within Troon. Having attended a Parent Council meeting last week specifically on the subject of the redevelopment of Marr College, the only option now being considered is the building of a new school on the playing fields. At this meeting it was abundantly clear that the vast majority of those who attended would like to see the school remaining on the existing site with a full refurbishment/extension being built on the same grounds.

Can I ask each and every one of you who has an interest in preserving the history, tradition and heritage of Marr College as one of the most successful state schools within Scotland in terms of rugby and hockey, to follow the link below and send an email to South Ayrshire Council objecting to these proposals.

As it stands, the council has rejected all other sites for one reason or another and has presented a totally biased report on why the preferred site is the College playing fields. Given the amount of land that South Ayrshire likes to sell off for ‘redevelopment’, it’s only a matter of time until the whole area is turned into massive housing development – with a new school stuck in the corner. In addition, under the auspices of South Ayrshire Council and the current management at Marr College, rugby as the sport of choice will soon cease to exist.

Remember – it’s not only the future of rugby within Troon at school age level that’s in jeopardy here – the impact on Marr Rugby Club as a result of this could be catastrophic.

The link I have provided takes you to the section on the SAC website which deals specifically with the redevelopment and there’s an email link to which you can send your comments. Please take time to read through the reports as they make very interesting reading and make your opinions count by registering your objections through the email link.

http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/future-needs/marr.aspx

Thank you
Lisbeth Grant

Posted by: kjquinn  [ March 6th 2010, 21:17:51 ]

View from the touchline:

What a difference a week makes!

Marr Rugby 29 – GHK RFC 6

Following last week’s display against Helensburgh, Marr’s senior squad worked hard and well in training and looked forward to exorcising some demons.

They were facing GHK, who we know like to play a similar style of rugby to ourselves and challenge us for the accolade of the best back line in the league,,so a tough contest was in store.

A pre-match buffet for sponsors meant that we had a slightly larger than usual assembly on the touchline and all witnessed a very capable and creditable performance from our boys against a strong GHK side who presented some serious challenges. Marr’s preparations and line up had been disrupted leading a slight re-shape. With 1st XV captain Stuart Millar unavailable through injury, Keith Dunsmuir took over duties as hooker and Rory McGee assumed captaincy for the match.

Although GHK dominated play in the first half and took first blood, the scoreboard halftime whistle saw us leading by 6 – 3. Penalties had been traded and just before the 40 minute mark Rory McGee pushed us ahead after he finally found his range and angles.

During the first period GHK made some determined efforts testing the Marr defence to the limit. It was very pleasing to witness our team meeting the challenge with a much needed degree of maturity, and clever, measured and controlled play.

The second half started with GHK continuing to press home attack after attack and as well as showing some fabulous skills in supporting their runners they were also able to demonstrate some top drawer defence to stifle any attacking opportunities we attempted.

Sticking to our game plan and always seeking opportunities Marr struck with the first try just after the hour mark. A GHK penalty, just in our half, was quickly taken by Marr. Rory McGee, sensing that GHK were slow in ordering their defence, sent a pin point cross-kick over their backs and into space for Andy Watson to run on to.

A number of us have seen this move tried during the year and usually referee’s ping Wattie for being offside, although everyone else disagrees. However, having learned from this Wattie seemed to count to 10 before setting off set off in pursuit of the ball. He whizzed past the defenders, fielded the bouncing ball and then ran in under the posts and with the conversion we crept further ahead. The move was executed to perfection...Allan Glenn’s take note.

This sparked Marr on to the front foot and over the next 20 minutes we became more and more adventurous. GHK slipped back although they continued to pose a serious threat. We made the most of our chances and Rory finally found his kicking form and slotted two more penalties.

The icing on the cake came with the final try. It will go down as one of those ‘I was there when’ moments and it is unfortunate that we will never have it captured for posterity. Unless, of course any of our readers have some footage.

The factual bit!

A Marr counter-attack led to a kick and chase in the middle of the park. Khris Kirk, aka Crouch, set off like a whippet and managed to get in amongst the GHK defence and recover the ball. He then recreated a scene from a well known blockbuster, where the lead character is played by Tom Hanks and progressed to run in to score from halfway pursued by the very fast GHK fullback. As everyone knows the Kirk clan are made of strong stuff but Crouch took this to a new level. No doubt in years to come when memories become clouded through the passage of time, some will recall him running in from 60, 70 or even 80 metres and being chased by the whole GHK back line. If this happens the big man deserves the accolade. During the past two seasons he has come on leaps and bounds and it was extremely pleasing to see him get his try.

The conversion was slotted with pin-point accuracy by Rory who claimed 19 of the total points and this left us with the final score.

A good, stern test that meant we were able to show the lessons had been learned and ensure that the game plan and approach from training was used during matches.

This gripping match was kindly sponsored by Alan Gillespie who was left with the challenge of selecting a man of the match. A difficult decision as everyone had raised their game and there were some extremely good performances across the whole team. Yet again though one of our forwards stood out for his contribution and the award award duly went to Don Morrison, who again played his socks off for the full 80 minutes.

The result meant that the pre-match entertainment continued for some time. Mentioning entertainment brings me to a final thank you. This goes to Tony Peters who captivated the lunch guests with a stand up routine that was high class and showed that he can have a second career as a comedian at any time he wants.

A great day at Fullarton....the minis entertained East Kilbride in the morning, the seconds beat Strathendrick, the first XV won and all involved and wearing purple and gold knew that the future is bright....

Posted by: kjquinn  [ March 2nd 2010, 19:14:41 ]

Dear all

please see below details of re-arranged fixtures.

20 March Allan Glen’s v Marr
27 March Marr v Hawick Linden
3 April Forrester v Marr
10 April Marr v Aberdeenshire

Andy - can you please upload onto the website proper.

thanks

kevin

Posted by: baldrick  [ March 2nd 2010, 05:20:50 ]

ouch not good reading 27 - 0 second half especially if we had a strong side out and sounds like we did not use the top 2 inches either

balders

Posted by: baldrick  [ February 27th 2010, 22:00:59 ]

I hope that SRU got it wrong again but if not and obviously I never saw the game, dont know about injuries etc but appears like the team that wanted it more won and a sad way to lose our long unbeaten home run in the league. If the score is right a very disappointing way for the season that started so brightly to end but on the positive side hopefully we have become better players with another season below the belts especially the young ones of whom there are many.

Cheers Grandpa Balders

PS Not a good day all round, Scotland and Scotland A both got beaten by Italy. Least Ireland won or I would have endured a week from hell.

Posted by: Marrman  [ February 25th 2010, 09:39:38 ]

This weeks game will be on and has been confirmed as an 11:30am kick off.

The 2’s are away to Cumbernauld, this game has a 3pm kick off, as Cumbernauld have concerns that their pitches may not be fit by 11:30am...

Posted by: Tom Irvine  [ February 24th 2010, 07:52:05 ]

Can anyone tell me if the Helensburgh game is on this Saturday. The pitch will need to be lined

Posted by: baldrick  [ February 23rd 2010, 21:14:59 ]

Congratulations to all involved at Marr as we have two players in the Glasgow U16 to play the Exiles so get up and support our boys on Sunday

Glasgow U16 Team v Exiles U16 at New Anniesland – Sunday 28th March (12.30pm ko)

15 Matt Evans Ayr & Arran HS

14.TONY BOYD MARR & MARR COLLEGE

13.Martin McKellar Paisley & Gleniffer HS

12.Harry Walker Glasgow Hawks&GlasgowAcademy

11.Scott Murray Hamilton & Hamilton College

10.Daniel McCluskey Ayr & Wellington School

9.Josh Rutnagur GHA & Hutchesons Grammar

1.Robbie Mackie Ayr & Belmont Academy

2.Calder Dallas Hamilton &Calderside Academy

3.DARCY RAE MARR & MARR COLLEGE

4.Jon Gray Cambuslang & Calderglen HS

5.Fraser HastieGlasgow Hawks&Kelvinside Acad

6.Angus Thompson(c) Biggar & Biggar HS

7.Jon Tait Glasgow Hawks & Belmont House

8. Peter RedmayneKilmarnock & Louden Academy

Obviously Im chuffed to bits but we should all be they are representative of all that is good at Marr along with Fraser Grant and Conor Bickerstaff in the U18s. Any news on how our boys got on in the U15s?

Balders

Posted by: glenn davis  [ February 23rd 2010, 16:10:01 ]

Great stuff from the s2’s to go away to the home of a premier one club and put them to the sword - well done to the lads and all of their dedicated coaches who do a fantastic job in keeping the marr rugby flag flying high.

Posted by: Robert Clark  [ February 22nd 2010, 20:40:43 ]

S2 Update..... Yesterday our S2 squad travelled to Edinburgh to take on Boroughmuir in a rearranged match.
last time we played them Muir ran out easy winners 13-0.
What a difference this game was !
Marr after being wound up into a frenzie started with a bang and straight from our KO recovered the ball and after a couple of phases scored the first try of the game.
Muir then came back and after 10 mins scored a good try with some strong running from their huge No 11.
Marr reacted perfectly and after a couple of hacks through scored under the posts and converted. A few minutes later we got a breakaway try which again was converte to take the score at halftime to ’Muir 3 Marr 11.
Second half and ’Muir were determend to get back into the game and for an 8 minute spell were camped on our 5 meter line, despite scrum after scrum and numerous attacks the Marr line held firm, this defensive show was superb and must have sapped energy from us. ’muir eventually breached the purple line and the cheers signalled the joy in it happening.
The rest of the game was tense stuff with both teams having chances.
Final score in a pulsating match.
Boroughmuir 6 - 11 Marr.
This gives us the record of having beaten every team we have played this year at least once and a season so far record of
Played 12
Won 9
drawn 1
Lost 2

The lads wont face many teams as large and organised as B’Muir so full credit to them for a cracking performance.

Next up is Kilmarnock at Home this Sunday 1pm KO all support as usual is appreciated.

Remember the Future Bright !!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: kjquinn  [ February 20th 2010, 14:21:10 ]

View from the touchline:

Lack of rugby sees disruption in frequency of the ‘view’. However, a notable event has occurred during the past few weeks.

Today the ‘view’ was markedly improved with the final stages of project “Portacabin No More”.

Led by the human dynamo that is Glenn Davis, a small band today filled a skip full of the leftovers after Alex Currie kindly and expertly took his mini JCB to the structure.

Particular thanks go to Alex for getting us off to a flying start, Bert Johnstone for his expert guidance and shoveling, and to Andy Mathieson who provided an A1 skip to assist with the clearance.

This is another small step in improving the club house and its environment and Marr members may wish to think about acknowledging the efforts of these four stars whose hearts clearly pumps blood that is purple and gold.

Players will also see that we have the work to back dressing rooms almost completed, with painting carried out during the week.

With these improvements we need to keep the momentum going and the place tidy.

Next stage: re-affixing the down-pipe that should be on the squash court wall. Does anyone have a huge ladder or something else that would enable access to do this job? Please let me know.

ps - roll on 27 February when we might actually get to see a game played...our first for the seniors at Fullarton this year.

The future remains bright...

Posted by: baldrick  [ February 9th 2010, 17:47:41 ]

Sorry to hear we lost the cup game and the Gordonians game never knew they were even on as it was Artic conditions when I left.

Some good news for the club and obviously Im proud to say that my own big boy Darcy and Tony Boyd have been selected today for the Glasgow U16s Inter District championship squad.

I am sure that it would have been 3 Marr boys if Gregor Scott had not unfortunately got injured at training. We have Fraser Grant and Conor Bickerstaff in the under 18s as well and I am sure we will have some in the u15s but Im a bit out of touch.

Keep the faith and train hard as there is still the slimmest of chances depending on the other league results.

Balders