BT National League 1: Selkirk RFC – 31 Marr Rugby – 10
Visiting Philiphaugh for the first time Marr Rugby found undefeated league leaders Selkirk in great form and clearly intent on maintaining their run of wins. Marr’s starting line-up included Johnny McClung, making his debut, and with increasing numbers of injuries to the pack Ben Johnston played his first game of the season and went on to show why he is such an outstanding young prospect.

Playing into a strong breeze Marr enjoyed an opening 10 minutes of play where they pressed and probed the home defence but quickly found that openings were going to be few and far between. Selkirk’s defensive play was exemplary; first time tackles stemmed Marr’s attacks and the home sides players committed only enough bodies at the breakdown to fight for and often win the ball or pounce on a mistake whilst the rest were lined up ready to prevent any further Marr advance. Their play made it easy to understand why up until Marr’s visit they had conceded only five tries in all home league matches.

In attack Marr found their hosts even livelier and after the opening segment when the home side finally had an attacking opportunity they started to pose a real threat. From a penalty after a promising Marr attack was interrupted by the referee’s whistle Selkirk took play deep into the visitors 22m area. Quick re-cycling from the breakdown saw play spread wide for a score in the corner. Following this opening it was Marr’s turn to defend for a sustained period. For 20 minutes Marr held firm until just after the half hour mark Selkirk’s determination finally gained a reward with a converted try. This followed another textbook example of quick re-cycling at the breakdown and keeping the ball in hand they exploited a mismatch in Marr’s midfield. A third converted try quickly followed. As the first half drew to a close Marr managed to get back onto the offensive but again found Selkirk’s defence too tough a nut to crack with some very tactically shrewd play and fine tackling spoiling any momentum Marr tried to get going.

Marr started the second half in similar fashion to the first but this time, with the wind behind them they managed to get some real momentum going. Strong play across the backs and forwards took them close to Selkirk’s line and a series of close range pick and drives finally ended with Ben Johnston crashing through to touch down.
Selkirk replied immediately with two tries, the first coming after Marr failed to secure possession from the restart kick and the second when their stand-off Callum McColm showed great vision, skill and pace to open a gap in Marr’s midfield.

This took play into the final quarter and to Marr’s credit they kept plugging away trying to find an opening. With just over fifteen minutes remaining Marr added a second score. The opening came after a quick tap and go from a penalty allowed Marr to get some good forward momentum and as Marr’s pack closed on the line they realised that Selkirk would provide no easy way through. Ben Johnston linked perfectly with Grant Baird to allow quick ball to be spread wide, a pass to Rory McGee rew in the defenders and allow Scott Bickerstaff to cross in the corner.

Marr man of the match: Ben Johnston (sponsored by Purple and Gold – Future’s bright)

Marr scorers
Tries: Ben Johnston (1) and Scott Bickerstaff (1)