Marr Rugby Preview (Saturday 26 January 2019): 1s aim to balance the books and Scott Bickerstaff aims to celebrate becoming a Double Centurion; 2s face another tough test at the Greenyards and 3s look forward to warm reception in local derby

Marr Rugby senior fixtures

Tennent’s National League 1: Marr Rugby v Selkirk RFC
Tennent’s National Reserve League 1: Melrose Storm v Marr Rugby
Tennent's West Reserve League 1: Kilmarnock RFC 2nd XV v Marr Rugby

Marr Rugby's 1st XV match is sponsored by Ailsa Mariner

Marr Rugby has all three senior teams in action with each side facing a significant test as they try to add points to their league tally. In the reverse fixtures in October the 1s lost out by a single point against a side that has spurred on since this win and now lie in fourth spot. The 2s face a long trek to play Melrose knowing that the home side will still be smarting from Marr’s home win. Last but not least the 3s take on Kilmarnock’s 2nd XV knowing that local derby matches are always highly competitive and this one has the added spice of Kilmarnock being just ahead of Marr in league position so there is the opportunity for Marr to leapfrog their local rivals.

Marr Rugby 1st XV preview: Marr Rugby’s Scott Bickerstaff will make his 200th appearance for the club’s 1st XV and the supporters on the touchline will be hoping that he marks this tremendous milestone with some trademark tries to help keep the side in pole position. Over the past 11 seasons Scott’s attacking proficiency has tested many defences and its only good efforts that have restricted his scoring tally to only 172 tries. His Maori sidestep is a joy to see.

Selkirk will arrive at Fullarton aiming to do the double after their win at Philiphaugh in October. They put in a feisty performance to hold out from a fightback that saw match end 14-13. After a shaky start Selkirk kicked on from this win and are in close contention as four clubs are separated by only 10 points. They are previous winners at Fullarton so Marr will need to be at or near top form for the full eighty minute.

Marr have some absentees, including Ollie Rossi and Josh Evans. As a consequence Stephen Adair (sponsored by Toner & McCartney) starts at hooker and after a good debut last week 17 year old Jamie Drummond retains his place in the squad. Curran McMillan makes the trip up from London in the absence of Ollie Rossi & Richard Dalgleish returns from a break to join a strong bench.

In recent weeks Marr have being playing with more precision and at a higher tempo and they will need to continue to build on this as the league race moves towards the home straight.

Marr Rugby 1st XV squad

1 William Farquhar (91)
2 Stephen Adair (134)
3 Calvin Henderson (17)
4 Ewan Hamilton-Bulger (38)
5 Fraser Grant (144)
6 Dan Law (22)
7 Callum Steel (11)
8 Ross Miller (28)
9 Findlay Hazel (15)
10 Colin Sturgeon (107)
11 Jack Scott (12)
12 Conor Bickerstaff (C) (166)
13 Gregor Paxton (44)
14 Scott Bickerstaff (199)
15 Liam McLoughlin (17)

REPLACEMENTS
16 Curran McMillan (10)
17 Graeme Dick (14)
18 Jamie Drummond (1)
19 Andrew Mill (82)
20 Richard Dalgleish (30)

Marr Rugby 2nd XV preview: Marr’s latest “young team” add youthful vigour to blend in and complement an experienced squad that travel to the Borders knowing that the home side and support will still be smarting from the result of the reverse fixture that saw Marr claim victory by 31 points to 19. With Melrose sitting in second spot in the league it’s a real David v Goliath but we know that Marr’s squad will give it their all. We hope that Marr’s cause isn’t made more challenging by the push down effect of the Pro draft which has seen 1st XV regulars playing down.

Marr’s selection, captained by Richard McNicol (sponsored by The Jar, Troon), includes several debutants with Keir McDougall starting at scrum half while Scott Rodger will debut from the bench. Gregor Beckwith gets his first start at stand-off and Rollo Press returns after his extended travel break. Once again we have 22 players all of whom have come through the Marr College Conveyor Belt!

Marr Rugby 2nd XV squad

1 Neil Wallace
2 Richard McNicol (C)
3 Mark Allison
4 Callum Craig
5 Danny Clark
6 Rollo Press
7 Kyle McCulloch
8 Murray Blair
9 Keir MacDougall
10 Gregor Beckwith
11 Ry McInnes
12 Gregor Ness
13 Mac McInnes
14 Ryan Brown
15 Murray Beckwith

REPLACEMENTS
16 Adam MacPherson
17 Michael Quinn
18 Ethan Reilly
19 Scott Rodger
20 Fraser McPherson
21 Ali Walker
22 Matthew O’Leary

Marr Rugby 3rd XV preview: It’s derby time at Bellsland as the 3s travel to try to do the double over Kilmarnock’s 2nd XV. The reverse fixture, in October, saw Marr deliver a comprehensive win (57-3) scoring nine tries along the way. Killie at home will be a like a wounded beast eager to get some satisfaction and avenge this defeat so Marr’s squad will need to be on their toes to challenge the expected efforts.

Paul Bray is available and starts at prop and his inclusion sees a positional shuffle with Sean Duff switching from prop to hooker. Influential Scott Grant is also free from work commitments and captains the side

Marr Rugby 3rd XV squad

1. Paul Bray
2. Sean Duff
3. Darren Morgan
4. Chris Myers
5. Paul Fitzsimmons
6. Gordon Anderson
7. Craig Walker
8. Scott Grant (c)
9. Ryann Elliott
10. Gareth Abbot
11. Ali Barclay
12. Shaun Fallows (tbc)
13. Stephen Beveridge
14. Luke Davies
15. Euan McGerty

REPLACEMENTS
16. Chris Helton
17. Ryan Taylor
18. Jonny Connell
19. John Calder
20. Andrew Mathieson
21. Jim McNiven
22. Frank Watson (tbc)