The start of the new season began with a tough away fixture against Aberdeen Grammar on a wet and very windy day.
Aberdeen had the big first half advantage playing with the gusty 30mph wind at their backs.

The first twenty minutes was dominated by handling errors galore, as both teams struggled to adapt to inclement Aberdeen weather. To be honest the only positive for Marr in this period was the scrummaging was going well, with the Marr pack winning several penalties with their control from the scrum.

Aberdeen were punishing Marr with some excellent field kicking by their stand-off Sam Knudson, constantly pinning Marr back into their own 22m.

27 minutes in, Aberdeen took full advantage of a Marr error when their clearance kick from inside the dead ball line was charged down. It was Aberdeen’s German international prop Mattius Schosser who pounced on the loss ball to score the first try of the match.
The second try followed shortly after. Marr who were trying to ruck the ball out of defence, were again punished when they lost the ball in contact. Aberdeen gained possession and drove over the Marr line. This time it was Aberdeen replacement Jordan Robertson who dived over to score.

With half time approaching and Marr looking forward to getting the wind at their backs managed to break up the park and win a Lineout 10m out form the Aberdeen Line.

Big Ewan Bulger took a good clean ball from the line out and the following driving maul, they headed towards the Aberdeen line. Ollie Rossi secured the ball at the back of a ruck and his explosive power left the Aberdeen defence helpless to watch the Marr hooker dive over the line.
The half time whistle blew with Marr only 10 points to 5 down.

It was now Aberdeen’s turn to play into the gale. Marr stand-off Colin Sturgeon immediately put them under pressure with a great touch kick, which awarded Marr a 5 metre line out. Aberdeen then were penalised for interfering in the line out and Marr chose a 5 metre scrum. The decision proved to be the right one, as Marr’s now totally dominant scrum drove over ,showing great control, allowing Marr’s number 8 Benedict Grant to easily score from the back of the scrum.

Aberdeen were now down but definitely not out. From a scrum in their own half Aberdeen number 8 Greig Ryan broke from the back of the scrum and ghosted through the Marr defensive line. He powered on for 20 metres and off loaded the ball to his winger Nathan Brown who ran in unchallenged from 40 metres out. Aberdeen were back in front.

Sixty minutes in, came the play that changed the game. Aberdeen were again approaching Marr’s line. They got within 5 metres and were looking like they were going to score again, when Ollie Rossi won a brilliant turnover when he ripped the ball from Aberdeen. Instead of kicking the ball from defence Marr decided to run the ball from inside their own dead ball line. Captain Conor Bickerstaff broke free, drew his defender and passed the ball to his brother Scott. Scott then outpaced his opposite number and ran to the half way line. With the Aberdeen full back closing in on Scott he then zipped a great pass inside to the on rushing Richard Dalgleish to run through unopposed to score the try of the match.

Marr were now looking to put Aberdeen to the sword and it happened five minutes later.

Mackenzie Pearce took a quick penalty and drove towards the Aberdeen line. The ball was recycled quickly and passed out the Marr backs. The overlap came to Marr full back Greg Montgomery who outpaced the defence to put Marr further ahead.
Shortly after, Colin Sturgeon added another 3 point from a penalty 45 metres out.

The final score came from some great play from Conor Bickerstaff, when he chipped the defence and gathered his own ball. Two great offloads from Richard Dalgleish and Mackenzie Pearce gave Greg Montgomery a walk in try. And to make the final score 32 points to 15.
This was a tough match in difficult conditions and it took 60 minutes for Marr to finally break the tough tackling Aberdeen.
Marr head coach Craig Redpath will be satisfied with the effort from his players and will be particularly happy with the six players that were making their Marr debut.

Next week will be even tougher with the first league game of the season, an away trip to Jed Forest. Always a tasty encounter!

TRY SCORERS:
Greg Montgomery [2], Benedict Grant, Ollie Rossi, Richard Dalgleish
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon [2]
Penalties: Colin Sturgeon [1]

Man of the match Ollie Rossi