Photographs courtesy of Ken Ferguson and Michael Quinn at http://www.marrrugby.com/photos/bt-premiership-national-1-play-off-marr-rugby-v-ga-662513.html

Marr Rugby's hopes of achieving a perfect end to another exceptional season faltered in the opening five minutes of the play-off match as Gala got off to a lightning start with two tries and Marr lost influential prop Andy Kelly (sponsored by Paul Feeney) to injury.

As Marr tried to force their way back into the match they found the going tough against a well ordered defence that left little in the way of chances for decent attacking opportunities. Gala’s players were also very adept at slowing re-cycling opportunities at the breakdown. On several occasions they managed to win turnover ball whilst other times they were content to concede penalties to break up Marr’s rhythm.

On 25 minutes Craig Kolarik was yellow carded for an infringement at the breakdown and Gala added three points from the penalty kick. A minute later Gala were reduced to 14 after a yellow card offence as Kris Mein piled over the top at a breakdown to slow down Marr’s attempts to re-cycle. Gala were also fortunate to be given the benefit of the doubt for some awkward tackles.

On the half hour Marr finally got into Gala’s 22m area but could find no openings and had to make do with a penalty conversion to open their scoring. Gala countered with a converted try to lead at half time with the score 3 – 22.

Marr got off to a great start in the second half as some decent phases of attacking play finally opened up a scoring opportunity and Scott Bickerstaff finished off to score a try converted by Colin Sturgeon.

Marr continued to try to work themselves back into the match and while they enjoyed better phases of possession and territory they encountered a solid defence. In the final five minutes Marr pressed Gala close to their line but could find no way through. Gala were again prepared to risk penalties by committing players to slow down play and ended the match with fourteen players after another yellow card for executing a tackle on a Marr player who didn’t have the ball.

For Marr’s young squad playing against a seasoned group of opponents, including international capped Opeta Palepoi, the match provided a good lesson and experience.

In the second half Marr’s hooker Ollie Rossi was forced to retire injured. He was replaced by David McGrath, a Hamilton player drafted in on Friday as loan hooker after permission was given to allow Marr to add him to the squad. With several key Marr players unavailable and no options for cover at hooker Marr had applied for dispensation for emergency cover and David answered this call for help. Despite never having previously met or trained or played with the rest of the Marr squad he acquitted himself very well and didn’t look out of place. In the first scrum after he joined, Marr won possession from a Gala put in, a rare event in a match where Gala’s pack had dominated the set-piece.

At the end of the match Gala breathed a collective sigh of relief as the result secured their place in next season’s Premiership. Meanwhile Marr’s players and supporters reflected on what might have been. In the cold light of day Marr’s performances during the season to secure second spot in the league and the play-off opportunity is a tremendous achievement in only their second season in National League 1.

Marr’s coach Craig Redpath was full of praise for his side’s efforts and achievements

“I am disappointed with the start because you cannot give a side of Gala’s quality a two-try start.

Once we got into things and played the rugby we know we are capable of I thought we more than matched them. At times we tried to force things though and a bit more composure might have seen us through to a famous victory.

However, I could not be prouder of this group of players. When I joined the club we were down the divisions but I could see a lot of potential.

The players have listened, got themselves fitter and really embraced the challenge of continually testing themselves at a higher level.””

Marr Rugby man of the match – Grant Baird (sponsored by Colin Adam)

Marr Rugby scorers
Try: Scott Bickerstaff
Conversion: Colin Sturgeon
Penalty: Colin Sturgeon

With the league season now concluded Marr’s players now get the opportunity for some well-earned and much deserved rest and recovery…at least for a couple of weeks before preparations for 2016/17 get underway