Two vital points secured, one for a try bonus and one losing bonus, playing against league leaders GHA was scant reward for Marr’s efforts and the squad left the field ruing a missed chance to come away from Braidholm with a win.

Lapses in defence saw Marr close the first quarter trailing 12 -0. A great fight back in the second quarter saw Marr claw their way back into contention and at half time the match was more evenly balanced 22 – 17.

The second half saw Marr turn the screw and take the lead but in the final quarter they failed to close out the match and stop a GHA recovery that saw the match enter its final stages on a knife edge with Marr leading 30 – 34. Marr’s case wasn’t helped when they were reduced to 14 men after a yellow card awarded to Grant Baird for illegal play at a breakdown.

GHA , spurred on by their talismanic scrumhalf Peter Jericevich , a former Glasgow Warrior, Scotland age grade and Premier level player took the opportunity to hammer Marr’s defence. For eight minutes Marr managed to withstand the onslaught and with the last play approaching had the opportunity of securing a lineout in their 22m area and clearing to close and win game. However, for the first time in the match GHA managed to spoil at the front and went on to secure the ball. This set the scene for three minutes of mayhem that ended in ecstasy for GHA and misery for Marr. With Jericevich showing electrifying pace to direct and control the GHA attacks Marr’s defence was repeatedly pounded. The intensity finally started to tell when first Scott Nimmo joined Grant Baird in the sin bin as Marr desperately tried to secure the ball at the breakdown and shortly afterwards Paul Burke joined them. Now with a three man disadvantage the inevitable happened as Marr finally ran out of defenders to stop a GHA try score in the corner and give the home side a single point victory.

Despite the final result and missed opportunity there were positives for Marr. Grant Baird’s return from injury was marked with another very good performance and try. Marr’s pack continued to show improvement in set piece and loose play. Marr’s front three, starting with Phil Siave, Stephen Adair (sponsored by Footprint Energy, Scotland) and Fraser ‘Rhino’ Ferguson, and then joined by William ‘Wilko’ Farquhar who swapped back and forward for Siave, caused problems all day for their opposite numbers. In the opening exchanges of the second half Marr regained the lead after a series of close range forward drives ended when Wilko burst through to score a try.

As the match progressed Marr’s backs confidence continued to grow and there were indications of the potential threat they might pose. Colin Sturgeon (sponsored by Bricktrain Ltd) provided flashes of brilliance in defence and attack and in the process opened his try account for the season. Gregor Ness continued to his development as stand-off and versatility as back-up scrum half. For a great deal of the match Marr managed and controlled well the breakdown area, quickly adjusting their style of play to fit in with the referee’s interpretation and preferences on how it should be played and what was acceptable. From this this platform Marr were able to fight their way back into the match but the squad knows and coach Craig Redpath will no doubt not mince his words when reviewing the head start that they allowed GHA to take. Those teams that succeed and excel in this season’s campaign will be the ones who are able to deliver consistently solid defence. In addition Marr welcomed the arrival of Dylan Rowe, a new recruit, who will be able to provide cover in the second and back row. With continuing injuries and need to ensure we strengthen the forwards Dylan is a much welcomed addition.

Looking at the way the play and scoring unfolded, in the first quarter Marr had the advantage of possession and territory. However, they were slow in covering GHA breaks that led to two tries for the home team. With these exceptions the plan to limit the opportunities for GHA scrum-half Jericevich to dictate the play and tempo worked well with some very controlled play by Marr at and about the breakdown area.

Marr finally opened their scoring on 20 minutes when a penalty award allowed them to kick for the coroner. From the resulting line out Marr’s pack drove forward and Paul Burke crashed through to score a try that Rory McGee converted. GHA immediate responded with a penalty kick to stretch their lead.

Marr struck back with some good pressure play. On 26 minutes Colin Sturgeon capitalised on very good work by the pack when after a series of forward drives the ball was sent wide and he was able to dance between and find a way through GHA’s impressive centres. On the half hour Marr took the lead from a McGee penalty. The three points were a poor reward for some great play from Marr’s forwards. Phil Siave (sponsored by TR Bonnyman) broke through midfield and as he was tackled was able to Fraser Grant who continued the charge deep into GHA territory. As Mar threated GHA were happy to concede a penalty that Marr opted to kick to take three easy points and secure the lead for the first time in the match.

Marr’s lead was shorty lived as GHA quickly responded with a converted try created through Jericevich’s electric pace and close the first half with GHA leading 22-17.

At the start of the second half Marr benefited from a one man advantage after GHA lost a player to the sin bin for a breakdown offence. They quickly capitalised on this with forward pressure leading to the Farquhar score and converted try.

Shortly afterwards Marr went further ahead with a fourth try. Forward’s dominance at the scrum provided the platform. Marr pressure had taken play close to GHA’s line. As the home side tried to clear their lines from a defensive scrum Marr’s pack steamrollered forwarded. As the ball squirted out Grant Baird pounced and beat Jericevich to collect the ball and dive in from close range.

Within five minutes GHA responded by showing their credentials as league leaders with a forward’s led try off an attacking line-out to narrow the gap to four points.

Penalties were traded to take the score to 30 -34 as play entered its final 10 minutes. What followed was a salutary lesson for Marr and a result that kept GHA on top.

Looking forward the two points secured by Marr will be vital in this first season’s outing in NL1. The opening matches indicate a dog-fight developing between five clubs and Marr’s next three matches will give a clearer indication on how they will fare in this first season in rugby’s second tier,

Marr man of the match: Kyle Vallance (sponsored by Martin’s Gardens)

Marr scorers

Tries: Paul Burke (1), Colin Sturgeon (1), William Farquhar (1) and Grant Baird (1)

Conversions: Rory McGee (4)

Penalties: Rory McGee (2)

Meanwhile Marr’s 2nd XV continued to be frustrated on league business after Ardrossan 2s called off. A scratch friendly against Whitecraigs was played and while this afforded Marr some much needed game time the disruption on league business was far from ideal. At Maybole, Marr 3s were well off the march against a very competitive, young and skilful Carrick 2s.

Next fixtures: Saturday 11 October 2014 (3pm kick-off unless otherwise advised)

1s – Home v Peebles (league)

2s – Home v GHK (league)

3s – Away v Cumnock