With blue skies over Glasgow, Marr were determined to finish the first half of their league campaign with a victory. History between the two teams predicted that this was going to be, as ever, a close encounter.

With two determined teams on the park, it took fifteen minutes for Marr to open the scoring. Scott Bickerstaff found some space on his wing and powered on for 40metres deep into the Cartha 22m. Marr quickly recycled the ball and after some close forward play, the ball came to Marr lock Kris Kirk, who managed to break a tackle and power over from several metres out.

Cartha were quick to reply. Marr missed a vital tackle in the mid field and broke deep into the away side’s territory and after some strong rucking the Cartha stand-off Gregor Davidson through a long and accurate pass to his winger Jacob Adamson to score Cartha’s first try in the corner.

Shortly after Marr suffered a major blow when their two biggest and strongest ball carriers, Ben Johnston and Ross Miller clashed heads and both had to be replaced with Fraser Grant and Graeme Dick.

This set back did not stop Marr’s determination. A scrum on the Cartha 22 metre line was won and the ball passed out the line to Scott Bickerstaff to score in the corner.

With Marr continuing the pressure, they were soon on the score sheet again, after Cartha had clawed back the score with a well kicked penalty from Davidson. The ball was won deep in the Cartha 22m and after the forwards had failed to drive over the line, Conor Bickerstaff flung an accurate miss pass to Fraser Grant who stepped inside his defender and off loaded to good support from Richard Dalgleish, to easily score, close to the Cartha posts. This made the half time score Cartha 8 Marr 24.

The second half kicked off and Marr were dealt a further blow. With Cartha attacking deep into Marr’s 22m Mackenzie Pearce was yellow carded for sealing off the ball. Continual Cartha pressure was absorbed by Marr for the next ten minutes when they had a try disallowed for ‘crossing’.

Marr’s injury woes continued with losing Kris Kirk and William Farquhar to leg knocks. With the only substitute left Andrew Mill, who is normally a centre, coming onto play at wing forward and the replacement hooker Stephen Adair, also now on, this left the best option was to play Marr’s original hooker Ollie Rossi, at the other wing forward position.

With ten minutes left on the clock Marr secured the game when Ollie Rossi broke a tackle on the 22m line and showed great pace to score Marr’ fifth try.

Cartha got a consolation try near the end when a Marr defender deliberately pulled back a Cartha player who the referee deemed, was going to score, awarding a deserved penalty try.

Marr will be happy with some aspects of their game, however the amount of injuries, although none serious, will cause concern for Craig Redpath.

Final score Cartha 15 Marr 29.

Marr Rugby 1st XV man of the match - Ollie Rossi (sponsored by Marco Rossi)

Marr Rugby 1st XV scorers
Tries: Kris Kirk; Scott Bickerstaff; Conor Bickerstaff; Richard Dalgleish and Ollie Rossi
Conversions: Liam McLoughlin (2)

Marr Rugby next fixtures
Friday 16/11/18
2s - Home v Ayr RFC (7pm at College Playing Fields)

Saturday 17/11/18
1s - Away v Dundee High Rugby
3s - Home v GHA RFC