Marr Rugby’s squad arrived at Myreside, for the top of the table clash, intent on improving last season’s performance where they were soundly beaten 50 – 18. Watsonians experienced number 8 Rory Drummond was a key player in this thumping and again on Saturday was instrumental in key moments of the match to help gain the home side’s advantage and steady the ship as Marr clawed their way back into the match.

Due to player unavailability Marr’s opening line-up saw William Farquhar shifting from his usual front row berth to cover the loose head position and recent addition to the squad Pieter Killian start. Both held their own in the scrum and in addition were in rampaging form repeatedly gaining hard yards with powerful charges.

The first thirty minutes was evenly balanced. Both sides had chances to play attacking options in their opponent’s 22 metre area but these were neutralised with some good defensive work. Towards the end of the first quarter Marr pressure gained a penalty and Colin Strurgeon opened the scoring.

After 30 minutes of intense and energy sapping play Watsonians struck back with an opening converted try. This came from a training ground move played to good effect as winger Scott McLeod sliced through a gap in Marr’s defence. Marr tried to regroup and Paul Burke, Ollie Rossi and Ewan Bulger, making his debut for Marr’s 1st XV, were brought on from the replacements bench. Whilst Marr’s fresh legs settled in Watsonians struck home with a second converted try to increase the gap.

Marr secured possession from the restart and took play into the Watsonians 22m area. Efforts to bludgeon a way to the line were met with equally strong resistance. Eventually Marr won a penalty for their efforts but were unable to convert.

As the first half drew to a close Marr enjoyed the ascendency even after they were reduced to 14 men after Ben Johnston was yellow carded following a perfectly legal tackle in everybody's eyes, including the Watsonians recipient, apart from the referee's. At the set piece scrum and lineout Marr’s pack were more than holing their own. Angus Johnston (sponsored by A1 Skips) was in in top pillaging form to repeatedly steal Watsonians lineout put in.
Marr continued to apply pressure during the second half’s opening exchanges. Watonians managed to soak this up and establish an impenetrable barrier just in front of their line. As Marr pressed forward they were stung by a quick counterattack that took play from one end to the other and led to Watsonians third try to establish a 26-3 lead.

During the final thirty minutes there was a try flurry, with seven scored. Marr finally managed to unlock Watsonian’s defence and went on to score five. The opener was one of two from Stephen Adair as he smashed over from 5 metres out with a quick tap and go following a penalty. This was followed by his second then one apiece from Angus Johnston, Conor Bickerstaff and Scott Bickerstaff. However in between the home side added a further two of their own to bring their tally for the match to six and this was sufficient to restrict Marr’s reward for their efforts to a bonus try point.

The final whistle brought a sigh of relief to the home supporters who paid tribute to Marr’s gutsy display which had clawed back from a 23 point deficit. For Marr it was a mixture, the frustration of lapses that created this size of gap but the satisfaction of a much improved performance against the capital’s top side and a spirited fightback to take a potentially vital point from the game.

With several players sustaining injuries during the match Marr will have to take stock and hope for some speedy recoveries as they prepare for their next match against the third of Edinburgh’s college sides as Stewart’s Melville come to Fullarton.

Marr Rugby man of the match- Pieter Killian (sponsored by Mono Consultants)

Marr Rugby scorers
Tries: Stephen Adair (2), Angus Johnston (1), Conor Bickerstaff (1) and Scott Bickerstaff (1)
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon (1)
Penalties: Colin Sturgeon (1)