Marr Rugby senior results
Tennent’s NL1: Musselburgh RFC 10 - Marr Rugby 27
Tennent’s National Reserve League 1: Marr Rugby 21 – Stirling County RFC 31

Marr Rugby’s 1st XV had to work hard to breakdown a stuffy and determined Musselburgh defence but finally ran out bonus point try winners. Meanwhile at Fullarton the 2s supplemented by six Marr Rugby 3s players, drafted up to help make up a squad, gave a very good account against a strong Stirling side.

See 1st XV match photos here

MATCH REPORT
MUSSELBURGH versus MARR
TENNENTS NATIONAL DIVISION 1 @ Stoneyhill.
By Stephen Allam

It was always going to be another tough fixture as two of the inform teams clashed at the top of Tennent’s National one.

Musselburgh kicked off and the battle of the defences started. With both scrums holding each other, Marr looked to their back row to breach the Musselburgh line. Ben Johnston looked the most dangerous with a couple of good breaks, however with lack of support the home sides defence looked strong.

The game continued in the same vein for some twenty minutes, with both teams really unable to break their opposition defence. The first points were scored when the Marr pack were penalised for not rolling away. Danny Owenson Musselburgh’s stand off took this opportunity from 40 metres out to opening the scoring.

Marr soon struck back with their own penalty from Colin Sturgeon to draw level. Marr now were gaining the advantage territorially, mainly through their well-functioning line outs and their forwards carrying the ball more effectively.

The opening try came one minute form half time. With Marr now gaining more ball than Musselburgh, the pressure began to pay off. Marr won a 5 metre scrum, Musselburgh tried their best to drive Marr back, however Marr’s number 8 Ben Johnston secured the ball and with the help of his fellow back row got the momentum to drive Ben over the well defended line to open the scoring and give Marr the advantage going into the second half.
Right after half time Marr dealt their opposition a further blow. With Marr’s pack managing to drive and carry close to the Musselburgh line, it took a mighty push from the forwards to help William Farquhar to score one of his trade mark tries from two metres out.

Soon after, Marr’s other prop, Calvin Henderson then broke through the Musselburgh line on half way and showed great pace to drive Marr very close to the Burgh line. After a few unsuccessful drives Marr gave their backs a chance and after a brilliant flat pass from captain Conor Bickerstaff to Marr’s left winger Tom Steven, who brilliantly caught the ball and powered over for the try.

Musselburgh continued to play with great spirit and showed that they felt this match was far from over. They should have scored on a couple of occasions after some clever play, however the last passes failed to go to hand.

With ten minutes left to play Marr now scored the best try of the match. The forwards won the ball in their own half and quickly the ball was passed out to the three quarters. Colin Sturgeon executed a well-rehearsed loop with Conor Bickerstaff and after the Marr stand of received the ball back from Conor, threw a magnificent double miss pass to Marr winger Tom Steven, who took the ball at pace from 60 metres out burst through his opposite numbers tackle and then showed fantastic acceleration to run in and score a spectacular try.

Musselburgh still did not surrender and their perseverance eventually paid off when they scored a consolation try in the last minute when their ever dangerous winger Gregor Tait found some space to sprint over and score.

Marr head coach Craig Redpath will be very happy with this complete team performance, especially when other scores came in, giving Marr a five point advantage over their closest rivals.

FINAL SCORE MUSSELBURGH 10 MARR 27

Marr Rugby 1st XV man of the match – Tom Steven (sponsored by Mono Consultants)
Marr Rugby 1st XV scorers
Tries: Ben Johnston, William Farquhar and Tom Steven
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon (2)
Penalty; Colin Sturgeon

Marr Rugby 2rd XV man of the match – Neil Wallace (sponsored by Aspire Beauty and Therapy)
Marr Rugby 2nd XV scorers
Tries: Jason Dollan, Andrew Mathieson and Chris Galloway
Conversions: Chris Galloway (3)

Marr Rugby next fixtures - Saturday 15/12/18
1s – Home v Kirkcaldy
3s – Home v Hamilton