Marr Rugby’s senior players completed their final pre-season match with a trip to Goldenacre to play Heriot’s FC. In another useful hit out Marr fielded a much changed side with head coach Craig Redpath fielding a mixed squad of 1s and 2s players as he made his final preparations before the season starts in earnest.

See match pictures here

Angus and Ben Johnston and Ross Miller returned to strengthen a pack that often matched and at times dominated the hosts. A number of Marr’s squad were facing Premiership opposition for the first time and will have taken a lot from the experience. One was Richard McNicol (sponsored by The Jar, Troon) who, due to injuries and other reasons for unavailability, was Marr’s only available hooker and he went on to play for the full 80 minutes. He revelled in the opportunity and didn’t look out of place.

Marr though came unstuck in lack of precision in execution and Heriot’s pounced on any opportunity to win turnover ball and turn defence into counter-attack. Their very pacey backs caused problems for Marr’s defence as they punished errors with tries.

Showing continuing improvement Marr kept plugging away and were rewarded with tries from Ross Miller, who scored twice, and Ben Johnston.

Now the final countdown begins for the new campaign. With Marr Rugby’s 2nd and 3rd XV’s stepping up a league there is a sense of moving into the unknown and with the 1st XV determined to make an immediate mark, excitement continues to build across the whole club.

Marr Rugby next fixtures – Saturday 1.9.18
1s – Home v Dundee High Rugby
2s – Home v Boroughmuir RFC
3s – Away v GHA Lions