Marr Rugby round-up: Pre-season preparations continue for Marr Rugby's senior sides

Marr Rugbys 1st and 2nd XV's were in action involved in pre-season fixtures away from home. Mixed fortunes ensued - full details to follow

1st XV
Cartha QP RFC - 14 Marr Rugby - 41

Seven tries scored and with half time score Cartha 14 Marr 12 a much improved second half.

See match photos at Cartha QP v Marr Rugby match photographs

2nd XV
Annan RFC - 57 Marr Rugby - 26

Marr Rugby’s two senior teams were both on the road for the latest stage of the club’s pre-season preparations.

The 1st XV travelled to Dumbreck and enjoyed a decent result in an at times feisty match. The first half was a very close contest as Cartha managed to excel and capitalise on their few scoring opportunities whilst a strong defensive display disrupted Marr’s attempts to get some rewards for decent phases of possession and territory. At half time each side had scored two tries but Cartha had the slight edge with both being converted to lead 14 – 12.

The second half saw Marr stretch ahead and as Cartha started to tire the added pressure was rewarded with five more Marr tries whilst the home side failed to add to their tally. Head coach took the opportunity to ring the changes and give a number of players a run out in a variety of positions to help test their ability to cover gaps. Gregor Ness (sponsored by Bearing Gifts) started at scrumhalf and later in the match was replaced by Conor Bickerstaff. Euan Bulger (sponsored by GFS Associates) put in a great shift at second row as did his partner Angus Johnston. Ben Johnston was able to return to his favoured number eight position from where he relished in opportunities to cause mayhem in Cartha’s defensive lines. Eighteen year old Callum Steel (sponsored by Langholm’s Farm and Tea Room) came on as second half substitute and continued to show promise. Amongst others Gregor Paxton and Murray Beckwith posed a threat in the back line covering centre and the wing positions.

All in all it was a reasonable workout with only concern some injuries that hopefully will be assessed as minor.

Marr Rugby 1st XV scorers:
Tries: Conor Bickerstaff; McKenzie Pearce; Murray Beckwith; Ben Johnston; Colin Sturgeon (2) and Stephen Adair
Conversions: Rory McGee and Colin sturgeon (2)

Meanwhile Marr Rugby’s 2nd XV put in a good performance against Annan’s composite 1s and 2s side but eventually found the opposition too strong. Marr’s cause wasn’t helped by injuries during the match that ravaged the squad and as a consequence they ended the game with only twelve players playing against fifteen. Despite the challenges and result Coach Keith Dunsmuir was pleased by the performance of his players. In particular he singled out two players returning from serious injury, sustained at the end of last season, Ali Walker (sponsored by Lloyd Allam) and Danny Clark, who performed very well. Both were lively and energetic and scored a try apiece.

In addition he was pleased with the performances of returning players Josh Evans and Richie McNicol as well as seasoned campaigner Gordon Dunsmuir. For Marr it was a reasonable runout against a strong side and provided good test for the players involved. During the match a number of Marr players succumbed to injuries but none are assessed as significant.

Marr Rugby 2nd XV scoers
Tries: Al Walker; Danny Clark; Josh Evans and Richie McNicol
Conversions: Rudi Marshall (3)

Marr Rugby’s pre-season preparations continue as next Saturday (20 August) the 1s and 2s travel to Stirling whilst the 3s are at home to Cumnock 2s.