In their final match of the season Marr Rugby’s 1st XV knew a victory would ensure they finished the campaign outside the relegation zone. With Biggar and Jed Forest playing against each other it was a three way fight to avoid the drop.

After a three week lay-off to accommodate the 6 Nations fixtures Marr’s players were desperate to get back into rugby action. Preparations in training had been intense, so much so that team captain Stephen Adair sustained a leg injury and was unavailable for selection. His place in the front row was covered by Phil Siave, alongside starting props Fraser Ferguson (sponsored by the Bate Brothers) and Andy Kelly (sponsored by Paul Feeney). Marr’s pack also included Ben Johnston. Dual registered with Ayr he elected to make a welcome appearance for Marr’s 1st XV in this vital match as opposed to playing for Ayr’s 2s. He took his place in the back row alongside his brother Angus and captain for the day Paul Burke. Marr’s starting eight had Fraser Grant and Dylan Rowe playing in the second row.

Marr got off to a great start when after only two minutes they won turnover ball midfield and quickly launched a counter-attack that saw the ball spread wide onto the right wing. Scott Bickerstaff found himself supported by Stuart Howie, who had raced across from the other wing and received a perfectly weighted pass to take the ball at pace, outstrip the cover defence and score in the corner.
From the restart Marr’s forwards took play deep into Hillhead Jordanhill territory. An attack close to the try line was disrupted as a spilled ball provided a scrum to the home side and a chance to clear their lines. Marr’s eight put in a mighty shove that forced Hillhead Jordanhill’s pack into reverse and unable to control the ball they conceded a penalty in easily kickable range. However, captain Burke had no hesitation in calling for a scrum. Marr’s pack once again drove through the middle of their opposite eight and the referee had no hesitation in awarding Marr a penalty try.

Marr were dominant in their forwards and backs play and it was only a mixture of determined but increasingly desperate defence or at times over elaborate plays that spoiled repeated attacks. On the quarter hour mark Fraser Grant’s, Angus Johnston’s and Paul Burke’s blistering charges took play into Hillhead Jordanhill’s 22m area. As Paul Burke was tackled Marr’s Grant Baird swiftly fed the ball to the midfield backs. Johnny McClung’s line of running split open the defence and a perfectly timed and weighted pass to Aaron Rankin allowed him to complete the sprint to the line shrugging off a last gasp tackle attempt.

Five minutes later Marr again found themelves in a great attacking position after winning a penalty that was kicked for touch in the corner. A catch and drive from the lineout took play towards the try line and as bodies collapsed Paul Burke forced a way through to touch down and extend the lead to 24 points.

In response Hillhead Jordanhill lifted their game and within five minutes had struck their first points with a well worked try involving influential playmaker Nic Jurisic. They went on to close the first half without conceding any further points despite playing a man down after prop Ivan Majik was sin binned.

After a half time pep talk Marr started the second half in a similar vein to the first. Scott Bickerstaff collected a long clearance kick and set off down his wing. As he reached half way he was stopped but offloaded to Stuart Howie who had come across from his wing to support. A mixture of pace and mazy running saw him leave the defence flummoxed, complete the remaining 50 metres and score in the corner. Five minute later Marr further stretched the lead with a try scored by Dylan Rowe. This came from a quick tap and go after a penalty award close to the home side’s try line and followed some further intensive pressure from Marr’s forwards.

Ten minutes later Hillhead Jordanhill conceded a second penalty try as Marr’s scrum carried out another close range demolition job. Marr closed the remaining quarter in rampant form. To their credit Hillhead Jordanhill’s players never gave up and their desperate defence prevented the floodgates opening. Marr had to content themselves with two further tries for their efforts. The first fell to Ben Johnston who was in close support to Paul Burke, who had made another rampaging 30m burst towards the try line only to be stopped just short as three defenders combined to bring him down. Ben had a simple pick up and dive over to secure the score. With minutes remaining Marr closed the match with another forwards dominated score. A catch and drive from a close range lineout saw Paul Burke cross the line but as he twisted and turned to set the ball down Hillhead Jordanhill players managed to get under him but his layback was picked up by Dylan Rowe who was able to dive through a tiny gap to score.

The final whistle also brought news that Jed-Forest had also won so Biggar were consigned to the drop.
Marr’s players acknowledged the 200 plus Marr supporters who had travelled to the match knowing that this first taste of rugby life in National League 1 had presented some significant challenges and a nervous final few matches as they sat on the edge of the relegation zone. However they had risen to the test secured their league place and could look forward to a further year in the second tier competition to show what they had learned from their debut year.

Marr man of the match: Stuart Howie (sponsored by Fusion Sportswear)

Marr scorers
Tries: Stuart Howie (2); Aaron Rankin (1); Paul Burke (1); Dylan Rowe (2); Ben Johnston (1) and Penalty Try (2)
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon (5)