Marr Rugby’s most successful season ever reached another milestone. Saturday’s break from league business and switch to cup action meant an encounter against third placed Dundee and Marr’s win provided the reward of a quarter-final fixture against high flying Premiership side Glasgow Hawks.

This season Hawks narrowly missed out on one of the top four league spots that would have allowed them to compete in the Premiership play-offs so will present a significant challenge for Marr’s young side.

Marr Rugby’s starting line-up included Aaron Rankin (sponsored by Mono Consultants) making his first start of the season at centre with Andrew Gault providing backs cover on the bench.

Marr got off to a good start. Early pressure took play deep into Dundee’s half and gained a penalty advantage that Colin Sturgeon converted.

Dundee immediately hit back with a well worked try that gave a sharp reminder of the threat they posed. From an attacking scrum just outside Marr’s 22m area number eight Gavin Hughan’s pick up and break and interplay with fast paced and quick thinking scrum half Andy Dymock sliced open the home defence and gained a converted try.

On fifteen minutes another promising Marr attack close to Dundee’s line was illegally disrupted at the breakdown and referee Mike Adamson issued a yellow card to Dundee’s Patrick Hamilton. Marr opted to take the three points and narrow the gap. At times during the following ten minutes it was difficult to tell that Dundee were actually a man down as they applied pressure on Marr’s defence and disrupted attacks. Their forwards were impressive at the breakdown and lively backs, in particular winger Ronan Joy and fullback Cammy MacCrimmon, gave notice of their pace and incisive running.

Towards the end of the ten minute period Marr finally managed to capitalise on the player advantage. As Ben Johnston’s burst forward was halted he offloaded to Scott Bickerstaff and the attacking move continued with Gregor Ness and Aaron Rankin opening up space for Stuart Howie (sponsored by Fusion Sportswear)to jinx and speed in and score a converted try.

Marr added a second try ten minutes later after a missed tackle allowed Scott Bickerstaff to make the most of some open space and race to the line from halfway. Marr’s third came just before half time and after some great interplay involving both wingers with Stuart Howie getting the touchdown to leave the score Marr 25 Dundee 7.

At the start of the second half Dundee gave another reminder of their potent threat when they added a second try scored by captain Alan Brown whose charge from a close range line out was unstoppable.

As play entered the final quarter Marr’s man of the match Colin Sturgeon added to his points tally with a converted try after shimmied to create space and race in from 25 metres.

During the final fifteen minutes Dundee had the edge on possession and territory as they chased the game and applied pressure to Marr’s defence. However the home defence held firm and in one of their few attacking opportunities Marr sealed the win with a try scored by Ben Johnston who powered over in the corner.

The win means Marr' Rugby's 1st XV's league campaign is put on hold and the scheduled match against Stewart's Melville will have to be re-arranged as the cup quarter final tie takes precedence and sees Marr welcome Glasgow Hawks to Fullarton

Marr Rugby man of the match Colin Sturgeon (sponsored by Bricktrain Ltd)

Marr Rugby scorers
Tries: Stuart Howie (2), Scott Bickerstaff, Colin Sturgeon & Ben Johnston
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon (3)
Penalties: Colin Sturgeon (2)