BT Premiership: Stirling County RFC v Marr Rugby
BT National Reserve: Marr Rugby v Boroughmuir RFC 3s
BT West Reserve League 2: Ardrossan Accies RFC 2s v Marr Rugby

Another busy weekend for Marr Rugby with all three senior teams on league business.

The 1s and 3s are on the road while the 2s are left to mind the shop. There are tough tests in store for Marr’s XV’s against opposition who have experience and ability in strength and depth. In the local derby Ardrossan Accies have been improving and lie just behind Marr in mid table. Meanwhile at Fullarton the 2s will need to keep focus and attention to detail and precision in play if they are going to maintain and extend their good run. Finally Stirling will fancy their chances of maximum points. Marr’s troops will have to be at or near the top of their game for the full eighty minutes to counter a side laced with experience and ability, and bolstered by the inclusion of Chris Fusaro and Callum Hunter Hill.

Marr Rugby 1st XV preview: For the fourth consecutive week Marr get to test themselves against a top four side. This season County have been flying high with the only blots being narrow defeats against Melrose, Ayr and Currie. Comparing our results against the same trio gives a sense of how tough a challenge lie ahead.

It’s another step into the unknown as the squad travel to Bridgehaugh. The physical demands of the season continue to impact on selection. On the plus side we see Scott Bickerstaff, Ross Miller return to start the match. Fraser Watt earns his first start after impressing off the bench against Currie. Ben Johnston has once again made himself available to help out and his presence is much welcomed. With continuing absence of Kyle Hatherell who remains unavailable until mid-November means that Chris Nisbet ***MAKING HIS 100th APPEARANCE for the 1st XV*** continues to partner Ewan Bulger in the second row (see our instagram for tribute to centurion Niz). Mackenzie Pearce will also make the half century mark as he plays his 50th game for the purple and gold jersey since joining from Biggar 3 seasons ago.

This is the final match of the first leg of season of Premiership rugby for Marr Rugby’s 1st XV. The step up needed to survive in the stresses and strains that playing at this level create have been a real test. So far we haven’t yet managed to find the perfect balance of effort, performance and results. After Saturday we will be able to take stock of what is needed in the return legs to get us to where we want to reach.

Marr Rugby 1st XV team selection
15. Dougie Steele
14. Scott Bickerstaff
13. Richard Dalgleish
12. Conor Bickerstaff ©
11. Tom Steven
10. Craig Kolarik
9. Kaleem Baretto
1. William Farquhar
2. Ollie Rossi
3. Fraser Watt
4. Ewan Bulger
5. Chris Nisbet *100th Cap
6. Ben Johnston
8. Ross Miller
7. Mackenzie Pearce *50th Cap

Replacements/Substitutes
16. Greg Jackson
17. Callum Craig
18. Ross Jackson
19. Max Freydell
20. Toby Buchanan

Marr Rugby 2nd XV preview: Marr Rugby 2s play host to improving Boroughmuir 3s in what is likely to be another good test for the home troops, letting them get a sense of what’s needed to compete at the top of the league. Whilst Boroughmuir’s season so far has been mixed Marr need to remain focused on continuing to improve their performances and results.

Marr Rugby 2nd XV team selection - still being finalised - from:

Rudi Marshall
Stuart Howie
Ali Walker
Andrew Mill
Mac McInnes
Rory McGee
Jack Scott
Chris Galloway
Ali Hazel
Gregor Ness
Josh Evans (c)
Kyle Vallance
Callum Steel
Adam McPherson
Euan McGerty
Fraser Ferguson
Richie McNicol
Danny McCulloch
Neil Wallace
Mark Allison

Marr Rugby 3rd XV preview: The 3s make the short hop up the coast to Ardrossan for what will be the latest in ‘local derby’ matches. The Marr squad continues to get used to the demands and expectations attached to playing in a higher and much more competitive league. Ardrossan have been coming on to a game so the 3s need to make sure they play to their strengths and don’t let the home side dominate and/or control the match.

The 3s squad continues to grow in numbers with young players continuing in senior rugby and others returning to the game. It's great to see greater numbers involved in training and also that some players are progressing through the 2s. This week's youngsters include Finlay Hazel (sponsored by Ewan Campbell)- making a long awaited return from injury and who will be tracking down his brother Ali as both compete for the 9 shirt in the 2s and beyond!

Marr Rugby 3rd XV Team selection:
1. Paul Bray
2. Graeme Currie
3. Sean Duff
4. Shaun Fallows
5. Darren Morgan
6. Jason Munchen Doolan
7. David Moffat
8. Chris Myers
9. Finlay Hazel
10. Andrew Mathieson
11. Andrew Dunlop
12. John Ferrans
13. Martin McMillan
14. Stephen Beveridge
15. Thomas Watkins

Replacements/substitutes

16. Neil Campion
17. John Calder
18. Andrew AJ Orr
19. Jonathan Connell
20. Lochlann Mcgregor
21. Fraser McPherson
22. Alistair Barclay