Marr Rugby’s final match of 2014 brought little cheer for the home players and supporters. After soaking up an opening ten minute flurry of Marr pressure visitors Stewart’s Melville ably marshalled by captain and stand-off Nick McCashin broke out of defence and after several simple phases of play delivered with pace and precision scored their opening try.

From the restart Marr again applied good pressure but again found themselves facing a well ordered and organised defence. Stewart’s Melville defensive strategy was very effective, in particular at the breakdown where they were content to risk being penalised as they committed enough players to disrupt Marr’s attempts to secure clean and quick ball. In open play a rush defence included a midfield player committed to charge ahead and get in amongst Marr’s backs with reasonable good effect.

Marr’s attempts to drive play deep into Stewart Melville territory were continually thwarted. At the end of the first quarter Marr suffered a further set back as influential William Farquhar retired injured. His berth in the front row was taken by Matt Skeoch playing in his first season as prop. Rhys Morgan, his experienced opposite number, quickly realised that Matt was in front row infancy and went on to assert this advantage in the set piece scrum.

Stewart’s Melville started to gain ascendency and it was Marr’s turn to defend and when possible counter. Just before the half hour mark Kris Kirk (sponsored by MOR Construction) broke out from defence and eluded several tacklers while sprinting 50 metres to take play deep into Stewart’s Melville half. The charge was finally stopped by a desperate tackle that conceded another penalty. Marr opted to take a kick at goal but Rory McGee’s effort rebounded off one of the uprights.

Marr continued to press but to no avail and just after the half hour mark fell further behind after conceding a penalty deep in Stewart Melville territory. A quick pick and go caught Marr napping and suddenly play threatened Marr’s line. After some close calls with Stewart’s Melville’s forwards pounding Marr’s line they finally secured their second try as hooker Ruaridh Mitchaell bulldozed through from close range.

Three minutes later the visitors delivered a decisive blow as they scored their third try. From the restart Stewart’s Melville managed to secure possession and quickly pressured Marr’s line and forced desperate defence. However, the efforts were short lived as Stewart’s Melville retained possession and re-cycled for another forwards dominated try this time scored by Morgan.

Just approaching half-time a fourth try was nearly added. Once again the play came from a counter attack that took play deep out of Stewart Melville’s half. Nick McCashin was instrumental in executing the play that unleashed pacey back Hanning, whose 65 metre sprint was only stopped close to the try line when Marr prop Fraser Ferguson (sponsored by The Bate Brothers) showed Usain Bolt like pace to nail him in a try-saving cover tackle.

The first ten minutes or so of the second half were evenly balanced before Stewart’s Melville again took control. Marr’s attacking efforts went unrewarded and they quickly found themselves in defensive mode. Nick McCashin yet again was Marr’s nemesis as his mesmerising run created a gap and his break was supported by Hugh Lindsay who went on to score. As play entered the final half hour Stewart’s Melville continued to enjoy the ascendency. Marr’s attempts to get onto the front foot were continually beaten by a mixture of great defence, influential play at the breakdown and at times unorthodox but effective tackling. In addition to conceding repeated penalties Stewart’s Melville went on to show real character as they played the final period with reduced numbers. A pattern of offences saw a total of three players yellow carded during the period but those remaining on the pitch played out of their skins to make up the shortfall and frustrate Marr’s attempts to find any way through. A promising break by Scott Bickerstaff was amongst Marr’s attempts ended with a yellow card for full back Michael Hanning and repeatedly, amongst others, Grant Baird, Colin Sturgeon, Dylan Rowe and Kyle Vallance tried valiantly to find a way of unlocking a solid defence.

In the final play of the match Stewart’s Melville once again punished Marr with a try coming from a counter attack from deep. Full back Hanning completed the move to score.

Marr man of the match: Dylan Rowe (sponsored by Marshalls of Kilmarnock)

Marr now go into a short break where there will be little time for Festive cheer as the squad prepares for their next fixture – a re-arranged league match away to fourth placed Watsonian