BT Premiership: Hawick RFC 19 - Marr Rugby 24
BT Reserve NL2: Marr Rugby 72 – Stewart’s Melville FC 8
BT Reserve West 2: Marr Rugby 3s 17 – Allan Glen’s 2s 44

Marr Rugby’s 1st and 2nd XV’s achieved good wins while the 3rd XV found the going tough against a dominant Allan Glen’s 2nd XV that is blazing a trail through West Reserve League 2.

The 1s secured four vital points from their win at Mansfield Park in a match that towards the end was in the balance. Having opened well and approaching half-time secured a 20 point lead they had to cope with a period of play lasting almost fifteen minutes where they were reduced to 14 then 13 players as a consequence of three yellow cards. In the second half the home side battled their way back into the match and with ten minutes left got the deficit down to a single point.

Marr fought like demons to retain possession, remain in Hawick’s half and protect the lead. Their efforts were rewarded with a final play penalty as in desperation Hawick illegally challenged at a breakdown. For the second week in a row Colin Sturgeon had the final say as he struck home a penalty conversion.

Match summaries and full scorers etc to follow

See Marr Rugby 1st XV photos here and ones courtesy of Ken Ferguson here

Marr Rugby’s 1st and 2nd XV’s achieved good wins while the 3rd XV found the going tough against a dominant Allan Glen’s 2nd XV that is blazing a trail through West Reserve League 2.

Marr Rugby 1st XV match summary: Marr’s squad was boosted by the inclusion for the first time this season of a pro-draft player; with Greg Peterson (Glasgow Warriors) bring his experience, height and bulk to augment the pack and partner Ewan Bulger in the boiler house. Marr had also hoped to have James Malcom available but he was withdrawn on Saturday morning. As a result Stephen Adair (sponsored by Toner and McCartney) started at hooker and Ollie Rossi was called into the squad to join the bench. With Ross Miller unavailable Kyle Hatherall was switched to number eight.

Hawick’s powerful pack was bolstered by the presence of Edinburgh prop Kevin Bryce and their pacey back line strengthened by inclusion of another Edinburgh pro player – the experienced Tom Brown.

Marr got off to a flying start and took Hawick by surprise with the pace and accuracy of their attacking plays. In the first ten minutes the home side conceded a number of penalties with two in kickable distance that Colin Sturgeon converted. It wasn’t all one way traffic as for the remainder of the half Hawick got themselves into the game. In the set piece scrum they started to put Marr under pressure and in open play. From a solid platform Hawick’s back line was frequently brought into play and to Marr’s relief some threatening breaks came to nothing due to unforced errors and some resilient. On the quarter hour Marr’s Craig Kolarik was yellow carded for a challenge at a breakdown near to the try line. Marr survived the ensuing onslaught and seven minutes later got some respite as the impressive Guy Graham was given a ten minute rest. Mar made better use of the extra space available and again posed some serious question of Hawick’s defence, with forwards and backs combining well. Conor Bickerstaff (sponsored by CCL Logistics) kept popping up all over the back line and changing the point of attack. Just into the second quarter he drew in two defenders and created an opening for winger Richard Dalgleish, who pinned back his ears and rocketed to the line from 35 metres and just evaded the scramble defence to touch down for a converted try.

On the half hour mark Colin Sturgeon was given a 10 minute breather after a challenge to stop Tom Brown who was going like an express train. Normally being a man down results in a ten point benefit to the side with the extra man advantage. Hawick didn’t manage this as Marr starved them of the ball and embarked on adventurous attacking play. Greg Peterson, Kyle Hatherall, Stephen Adair and Greg Jackson made repeated breenging bursts gaining huge yardage as they put Hawick under the hammer. The pressure finally was rewarded as Jackson cross the line to score a try and Dougie Steele converted.

With half time approaching Marr suffered a blow as Greg Peterson became the third Marr player to be offered a ten minute rest after he slapped down a Hawick pass to disrupt their attack. Hawick opted to kick for the corner from the penalty advantage and from the attacking lineout they bludgeoned their way towards the try line. Marr’s defence was seriously tested but remained solid and winning turnover ball they cleared their lines and brought he half to a close.

Marr survived the opening stages of the second half and resumed to full strength the first 15 minutes was evenly balanced. Then Hawick’s transformation happened, seemingly sparked by some inspired substitutions. This included the introduction of scrum half Greg Cotherhill whose added urgency ignited his teammates. Gaining dominant possession they started to create holes on Marr’s defence and their pacey and elusive running backs, in particular wing Lewis Anderson and centre Dom Buckley were marauding at will. A try from Lewis Anderson started the claw back and within ten minutes they had added two further and with the single conversion brought the difference to a single point. For those on the touchline the final 10 minutes was a nail-biter as Marr managed to stall and stem the Green Machine. Marr closed the defensive gaps and made sure that Hawick weren’t going to find a way through. Some determined work at the breakdowns enabled Marr to win turnover ball and with five minutes remaining opted to close the game out and run the clock down with a series of pick and goes. This attritional approach wasn’t pretty play but was pretty effective. It starved Hawick of the ball and inched deeper into their half. Marr’s forwards and backs were in the thick of it as they threw their all into retaining possession. As full time was indicated Hawick conceded a penalty. This brought a cheer of relief to the Marr support and a sigh of resignation from the home side. Colin Sturgeon had the final say by converting to add another three points to the board.

With a hard earned four points in the bag Marr’s players and coaching team now look ahead some respite and recovery before facing Watsonians in the next league encounter. Hawick were left to rue the missed chances in the first half.

Marr Rugby 1st XV Man of the match – Kyle Hatherall (sponsored by Glenn Davis)

Marr Rugby 1st XV scorers
Tries: Richard Dalgleish and Greg Jackson
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon and Dougie Steele
Penalties: Colin Sturgeon (3)

Marr Rugby 2nd XV match summary: Stewart’s Melville were unfortunate to arrive at Troon to play Marr Rugby’s 2nd XV at a time of the season when the home side was intent on laying down a marker to the rest of the league and the senior coaches. From the first whistle Marr clicked into action as a try machine with the visitors getting little time to catch breath. A baker’s dozen tries followed. Marr’s scores were well spread across the forwards and backs. Andrew Mill was a central figure throughout the match and helped steer and guide attacks. The result sees Marr sit at the top of the league on equal points with Hawick.

Marr Rugby 2nd XV man of the match: Andrew Mill (sponsored by James Kenneth)

Marr Rugby 2nd XV scorers
Tries: Mac McInnes (2); Max Freydell; Andrew Mill; Gregor Paxton; Richard McNicol; Murray Beckwith; Stuart Howie; Mark Allison; Jack Scott; Callum Steele and Fraser Grant
Conversions: Max Freydell (3); Rudi Marshall (2); Murray Beckwith (1)

Marr Rugby 3rd XV match summary: Marr Rugby’s 3rd XV knew they were in for a tough time as Allan Glen’s 2nd XV arrived at Fullarton as clear league leaders, having smashed their opponents in the previous two outings, scoring 132 points along the way while conceding only 15. Marr started well but were unable to keep the visitors at bay. It became a damage limitation exercise and to their credit they restricted Glen’s while scoring three tries, each courtesy of Chris Galloway. It was no disgrace for Marr’s squad, in their first season in this league, against a side that is on course for the league title. Marr now need to bounce back and show that they also want to be in the upper reaches as the season draws to a close.

Marr Rugby 3rd XV man of the match – Chris Galloway (sponsored by Stephen Galloway)

Marr Rugby 3rdXV scorers
Tries: Chris Galloway (3)
Conversions: Chris Galloway (1)

Marr Rugby next fixtures – Saturday 23 September 2017
1s – Home v Watsonians
2s – Away v Gala A
3s – Home v Annan 2s