1st XV match report: Marr got off to a flying start and within five minutes their pressure play was rewarded with a try from Scott Bickerstaff who took possession near halfway and swatted away tackles as he cleared a path through to the line. Selkirk, the last team to win a league match at Fullarton, quickly responded and their scrumhalf Mickey Davies created problems for Marr’s defence with some electric running.

Possession and territory were reasonably balanced but the difference was Marr seemed to be more assured in execution of attacks. Kris Kirk and Ben Johnston made impressive line breaks, with rampaging runs that put Selkirk under serious pressure and only some determined defence prevented scoring opportunities. On fifteen minutes Marr’s efforts were rewarded when Ben Johnston was able to burrow his way through to the try line after a series of close range pick and goes. Colin Sturgeon added his second conversion of the day.

Two minutes later Marr suffered a setback as Scott Bickerstaff was sin binned for his challenge to win a high ball. In the ten minutes that followed Marr managed to hold their own in the set piece but Mickey Davies was at his best and tormented Marr’s defence. He created space for Selkirk’s top try scorer Darren Clapperton to touch down in the corner. Marr managed to withstand further pressure and from their attacking opportunities gained a penalty that was within Colin Sturgeon’s (sponsored by Bricktrain Ltd) kicking range and he extended Marr’s lead by a further three points.

Marr closed the first half with another try, scored by Mackenzie Pearce. This came from some forward power play and after several good phases brought Marr to the try line he crashed through from close range, with Colin Sturgeon adding the extra points.
With ten minutes on the clock in the second half Marr’s Ben Johnston added try number four. Picking up from a close range scrum he carried the ball over to touch down despite some determined efforts from two Selkirk defenders. Heading in to the final quarter Marr added a further penalty to extend their lead.

From then to the end of the match it was Selkirk who hit a purple patch. Although possession and territory were evenly balanced Selkirk made better use of their opportunities and added two tries. They never gave up and worked hard for the further try score that would salvage a bonus point but their efforts went unrewarded while Marr secured the maximum five points.

The result left Marr retaining second place in the league, one point behind Jed-Forest who are the next visitors to Fullarton.

1st XV Man of the match - Ben Johnston (sponsored by Professor Sir James Armour)

1st XV scorers
Tries: Scott Bickerstaff; Ben Johnston (2) and Mackenzie Pearce
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon (3)
Penalties: Colin Sturgeon (2)