Marr Rugby’s 1st XV maintained their winning run with a bonus point victory over Kelso. In a closely fought contest Marr had by the third quarter managed to take a 20 – 6 point lead but Kelso hit a purple patch to reduce this to a single score with only fifteen minutes left to play. With Kelso growing in confidence and enjoying good possession and territorial advantage the visitors sensed an upset was on hand. However they were unable to cope with Marr’s top try scorer Scott Bickerstaff (sponsored by McKays Bar) when he was unleashed at pace down the right wing and stepping inside his opposite number he weaved a path through the remaining cover defence to score from 40 metres.

Playing into the strong wind in the first half Marr started brightly. With 10 minutes on the clock they open the scoring with a try from William Farquhar who showed good handling skills and deceptive pace and balance in his running to feint his way through Kelso’s defence. Then minutes later Kelso reduced the deficit with a penalty kick converted by Andrew Skeen.

Play remained evenly balanced up until just before halftime. Good pressure from Marr had forced Kelso to concede a number of penalties. From one they opted to kick to the corner. Angus Johnston took a clean catch and the driving maul was set. As the pack edged towards the line Ben Johnston peeled off the back and stepped inside the cover defence to score. Colin Sturgeon converted. Kelso had final say in the half with another Skeen penalty conversion.

Marr got off to a perfect start in the second half when they won turnover ball at a breakdown just inside Kelso’s 22m area. Captain for the day and scrum half Gregor Ness quickly fed the ball wide and Conor Bickerstaff sliced through to make one of his trademark scores.

Marr continued to enjoy good possession in Kelso’s half but found the defence resolute. They were only able to add a converted penalty to open up the 14 point lead as the match entered the final quarter.

With fifteen minutes remaining Kelso hit back with a converted try scored by Greg Ponton and this reduced the gap to seven points. The Kelso supporters and players sensed an upset as they continued to press home the advantage. Marr had few attacking opportunities but from one scrum midway inside Kelso’s half Kyle Vallance (sponsored by Martin’s Gardens) picked up at the base and fed Grant Baird. He passed out to Scott Bickertsaff who ran in to score the bonus point try.

In the final minutes Kelso valiantly tried to reduce the gap and secure a score that would at least give them a consolation bonus point but Marr’s players managed to hold their nerve and disrupt the attacks as the clock wound down to the final whistle.

Marr man of the match William Farquhar (sponsored by Glenn Davis)

Marr scorers
Tries: William Farquhar; Ben Johnston; Conor Bickerstaff and Scott Bickerstaff
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon (2)
Penalties: Colin Sturgeon (1)