Tennent’s NL1: Marr Rugby v Gala RFC (3pm k.o.)

The season deciders will take place this Saturday as Marr Rugby play Gala while Musselburgh host Jed-Forest. For all four clubs it’s do or die as all have something to play for. Marr and Jed are battling it out for the title and whilst Marr hold the slight advantage of three points there is no margin for error, as Gala and Musselburgh are fighting for points that will ensure one of them ends in the top six and gets a promotion spot.

It’s become a Super Saturday after adverse weather on 16 March saw fixtures wiped out across National League 1 and the re-arranged final match of the season bring together the top and sixth and second and seventh placed sides. It’s all to play for. Jed-Forest are clear favourites to bag maximum points against a Musselburgh team weakened by player unavailability.

At Fullarton it’s revenge or die for Marr as they target their first ever win against Gala who are making their inaugural visit to Troon. The clubs have previously met twice and earlier this season Marr struck first with an outstanding try from Conor Bickerstaff but this lead was wiped out and Gala ran out comfortable winners.

This is going to be Marr’s most important match of the season and it’ll be all hands to the pumps on and off the field to make sure that we do our utmost to achieve the target that was set by the players at the start of the season.

Marr Rugby supporters need to play their part to be the proverbial 16th player and make the Marr squad know that they are behind them Gala know that the welcome to Fullarton is warm.

The crowd on the touchline will include two former Marr Rugby players who have progressed to gain Scotland international caps at senior level and they everyone else will get to enjoy the most important match played at Fullarton for some time.

Peter ‘PC’ Brown will be alongside D’arcy Rae. Both have played for Marr Rugby’s 1st XV.

Peter started his rugby playing career at Marr College before moving on to play for and captain Scotland. He eventually moved to the Borders for work and played for Gala so he has an affection for both clubs and will be supporting Scottish club rugby. D’arcy started his rugby career with Marr Minis, developing through Marr College and played with Marr’s senior side before progressing to Glasgow Warriors and international recognition at senior level. He earned his first senior cap this season in the match against Ireland and will be easily recognisable as he is the big guy wrapped in purple and gold.

Marr’s players have been working hard in training preparing for the fixture and the squad is strengthened by the inclusion of Ben Johnston who has once again shown unwavering commitment to travel, this time up from Reading, to be involved. Gregor Ness makes a welcome return following recovery from injury and starts at fullback. Kyle Vallance has a free weekend from work commitments and is added to the pack.

At the start of the season the players set out their goal for the campaign and on Saturday they have the opportunity of achieving this. Captain Conor Bickerstaff is set to lead his team on the final leg of this mission. Conor along with our outstanding props William Farquhar & Calvin Henderson as well work horse Ewan Hamilton-Bulger receive iron man plaudits, having started every single one of Marr's 22 NL1 league games this season. Nearly half of the 20 man squad are centurions.

Marr Rugby supporters need to play their part in helping achieve this ambition. We need Fullarton absolutely jumping and at full volume!

The future is bright….

Marr Rugby 1st XV squad

1 William Farquhar (96)
2 Ollie Rossi (103)
3 Calvin Henderson (22)
4 Ewan Hamilton-Bulger (43)
5 Fraser Grant (148)
6 Mackenzie Pearce (77)
7 Kyle Vallance (109)
8 Ross Miller (33)
9 Findlay Hazel (20)
10 Colin Sturgeon (111)
11 Richard Dalgleish (34)
12 Conor Bickerstaff (C) (171)
13 Gregor Paxton (48)
14 Scott Bickerstaff (203)
15 Gregor Ness (117)

REPLACEMENTS
16 Stephen Adair (138)
17 Graeme Dick (17)
18 Ben Johnston (96)
19 Andrew Mill (87)
20 Liam McLoughlin (21)