For the opening round of this season’s BT Cup competition Marr Rugby’s 1st XV travelled to Hawthornden to face Lasswade with the knowledge that the home side had comfortably won all the previous encounters between the clubs.

Facing some selection challenges coach Craig Redpath called up Mark Allison to start at second row and also gave starts to Ollie Rossi at hooker and Ali Walker (sponsored by Craig Armour) at outside centre. Angus Johnston, making a welcome return from injury, was added to the bench.

Lasswade also had some selection headaches with a number of regular 1st XV players unavailable.

As it turned out Marr benefited most from these changes. Lasswade’s cause was further hampered by early retirements from injuries caused after three of their own players clashed against each other in a tackle/breakdown situation.

Throughout the match Marr exploited most of the available opportunities and went on to run in 12 tries with Colin Sturgeon adding 11 conversions.

Within five minutes Marr got control and started a pattern of play that became the norm for the rest of the match. Winning a penalty from a scrum Marr opted to kick for the corner. Securing good lineout ball the pack, guided by Andy Kelly, surged forward and as Lasswade piled bodies in to stop the rolling maul the ball was released to the backs and Stuart Howie (sponsored by Fusion Sportswear) crashed through to score a converted try

From the restart Lasswade pressed forward but loose play allowed Kyle Vallance to secure possession and create an opening that Scott Bickerstaff exploited for a second converted try.

Lasswade continued to be punished for loose handling, any mistakes, and turnover steals at the breakdown as Marr exerted authority. Striking from the counter-attack, set piece offensives and attacking opportunities Marr’s forwards and backs interacted well to probe and with regularity find gaps in the home defence. As the second quarter opened Lasswade finally enjoyed a period of decent possession and were rewarded with a converted try. Marr immediately struck back and added three tries to close the half 7 – 42.

The second half’s opening score was a peach. Lasswade started brightly and a promising attack into Marr territory was suddenly turned on its head as Kyle Vallance emerged with breakdown ball to emulate Usain Bolt and rampage 50 metres down the wing to score.

Marr continued to press and probe and only some resolute defence prevented an avalanche. Kyle Vallance added his second score after rampaging runs by William Farquhar taken on by Ben Johnston and Mackenzie Pearce (sponsored by AG Peters). With Marr’s attack held up five metres short a wide ball went into Kyle’s hands and from close range he was unstoppable.

Marr’s dominance was rewarded with four further tries before Lasswade, now playing for pride, closed the match off with another determined and well worked forward’s rumble that ended with a try.

For Marr this performance was about avoiding a potential banana skin, getting some payback for previous results and helping build toward the next match where they face high flying Howe of Fife.

Marr Rugby can look forward to the second round draw but importantly they will first focus on league business.

Marr Rugby man of the match: Kyle Vallance (sponsored by Martin’s Gardens)

Marr Rugby scorers
Tries: Stuart Howie (3); Scott Bickerstaff (3); Ali Walker (1); Rory McGee (1); Kyle Vallance (2); William Farquhar (1) and Ollie Rossi (1)
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon (11)