With Fullarton unplayable due to the recent spate of wintry weather including Storm Gertrude, the contingency plan of switching to the artificial pitch at Marr College playing fields swung into action.
Whilst the ground conditions were satisfactory, Gertrude’s tail meant the players and small but hardy band of supporters had to endure and deal with a strong, gusting and bitterly cold wind along with the odd shower between sunny spells.

Marr’s squad and starting line-up saw several selection and positional changes. With Gregor Ness out due to illness Craig Kolarik switched to cover fullback with Colin Sturgeon returning to stand-off. His place at inside centre was taken by Andrew Mill making his first start for the season after his recent return from an extended further education study tour. Recent school leaver Ry McInnes joined the bench and went on to make his 1st XV debut. In the forwards Fraser Ferguson returned at prop from recent injury while Ollie Rossi (sponsored by Allan Macintosh) nudged out Stephen Adair to start as hooker. Fraser Grant made a welcome return after an injury absence of almost five months. Effervescent Andy Kelly (sponsored by Paul Feeney) started on the bench as front row cover.

Playing with the wind behind them Howe got off to a perfect start when within five minutes Duncan McIntyre sliced a way through Marr’s defence to score a converted try.

However Marr quickly responded well and with some determination. For the following twenty minutes pressure play from man of the match scrum half Grant Baird and his pack and backs caused major problems to the visitors. In classic scrum half tradition Grant was an absolute nuisance at set piece and breakdown and managed to score two tries, whilst his pack’s pressure was rewarded with the award of a penalty try to take the half time score for Marr to 21 – 7.

Howe’s half time team talk from coach Garry Horne fired up his side and within ten minutes centre Will Wardlaw’s side-step exploited a defensive gap to score a converted try and reduce the deficit.

After fifty minutes of play in a close fought contest the score was Marr Rugby 21 – Howe of Fife 14. However, playing with the wind behind them Marr pulled up their shirt sleeves, upped the ante and cut loose scoring four tries with no reply along the way.

Playing with growing confidence Marr’s forwards and backs started to make good use of their possession and territory. Scott Bickerstaff (sponsored by McKays Bar) was in great form and added two tries. Iron man Kyle Vallance was on the scoresheet and in the final phases Marr pressure play saw Ben Johnston and captain for the day Angus Johnston (sponsored by A1 Skips) cross the line but be adjudged as being held up. Finally, from the resulting 5m scrums Andrew Mill crashed through from close range to touch down.

Marr’s efforts were rewarded with a convincing win to set up a 3rd round tie as part of this season’s pure and gold journey.

With only four of the twelve 2nd round ties completed Marr will have to wait for details of their next opponents. Meanwhile attention shifts back to league business and after a week lay-off for International fixtures Marr Rugby’s 1st XV will look forward to their next fixture against runaway leaders Watsonians.

Marr Rugby man of the match: Grant Baird (sponsored by Colin Adam)

Marr Rugby scorers
Tries: Grant Baird (2), Scott Bickerstaff (2), Kyle Vallance (1), Andrew Mill (1) and a penalty try
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon (4)