Marr Rugby’s debut season in the second tier was always going to be a tough challenge playing against some of the biggest and best known sides in Scottish Rugby.
On Saturday Jed-Forest RFC, one of the world's oldest and most famous clubs (the team was founded in 1885) made their first visit to Fullarton. With a long line of international players, including club president Roy Laidlaw (47 Scotland and 4 British Lion caps) coming out of Riverside, Jed-Forest is a club with a strong tradition of playing quality rugby and producing quality players. Added to this was the Jed’s recent success in defeating top of the table GHA so they arrived as favourites.
Marr Rugby’s squad continues to get to grips with the demands of this higher league. The increase in the standard of rugby has been patently obvious. Games are played with a greater intensity, any error is quickly punished and solid defensive play limits attacking opportunities. Marr’s players have been working hard to compete and on the way reduce the number of unforced errors that so far has limited their success in securing any points that this season will be vital.
On Saturday Marr showed the progress made in limiting attacking opportunities but early defensive lapses meant they had to chase a ten point deficit after Jed opened the scoring within five minutes with a converted try and later a penalty.
With fifteen minutes on the clock Marr finally got some reward for their efforts and gained a penalty that Rory McGee slotted home. Marr continued to pressure for the next ten or so minutes and won a second kickable penalty that was converted. Just on the half hour Marr took the lead after some impressive breaks and good interplay between forwards and backs provided much sought after line breaks. Stephen Adair showed great pace and elusive running skills to carve a way through Jed’s defence and take play deep into Jed’s half. Likewise, Colin Sturgeon managed to open up the defence and from such a break Marr’s Rory McGee went on to score a try in the corner despite some determined defence. The conversion was missed but the try gave Marr a single point advantage.
Marr continued to exert good pressure on Jed’s defence and forward’s Phil Siave, William Farquhar (sponsored by Glenn Davis) and Kris Kirk caused problems with their open play. Marr’s efforts though brought scant reward and delivered only three points from another successful penalty by McGee. Just before half-time Marr suffered a hammer blow when what seemed to be a perfectly executed 15 man expansive free flowing attack to release Andrew Gault to score in the corner was disallowed for an apparent forward pass.
This set back left the half-time score 14 – 10 in Marr’s favour and as the home side wondered about what had gone wrong Jed were re-vitalised from the let-off.
Jed started the second half with renewed vigour and for the third quarter subjected Marr’s defence to a stern test. They came close to scoring on a number of occasions but Marr showed great discipline and defensive organisation to withstand the continuous assaults. However Jed’s pressure play finally gained a reward of an unconverted try to take a single point advantage. This set up a nail-biting final quarter. Both sides had chances to add a further score but managed to cancel each other out with some determined defence or unforced errors. From a Marr perspective Scott Bickerstaff delivered a worthy man of the match performance. Once again his work rate and work ethic was an inspiration to all and deserved a reward of points.
Jed-Forest’s first visit to Fullarton and win against Marr gave them four points while the home side’s consolation was a single but vital losing bonus point. It also provided Marr’s players with another reminder just how tough life in NL 1 will be. Marr’s squad has been working hard to improve their defence and reduce the number of opportunities for their opponents. Progress has been made but more work is required and in coming weeks the players who know that this season will be their toughest ever will rise to the challenge. On the way Marr’s mission isn’t being helped by an ever increasing casualty list. Kyle Vallance was added to this after being injured on Saturday with a dislocated finger and other hand injury. Marr’s squad has little time for rest and recovery. The next match is a visit to meet undefeated league leaders Selkirk and another bruising encounter is anticipated.
Marr man of the match: Scott Bickerstaff (sponsored by McKays Bar)
Marr scorers
Tries: Rory McGee (1)
Penalties: Rory McGee (3)