Marr Rugby 1st XV match summary: Marr Rugby’s 1st XV quickly got in to their stride with a much improved and cohesive team performance than has been seen in recent weeks. Playing with a tempo and vigour that helped make the players and those on the touchline not notice the biting cold wind Marr immediately got on to the front foot and within eight minutes were two tries up. Musselburgh struggled to deal with the power, pace and precision of Marr’s play. Marr’s pack was rampant and provided a perfect platform from which Gregor Ness was able to release the back line. The first try came in three minutes as Angus Johnston crashed through from short range to score in the corner after a series of forward pick and goes. From the restart Musselburgh again were on the back foot as Marr pressure forced them to concede penalties. After several attacking phases Gregor Paxton was able to make the decisive break and score.

On ten minutes a rare foray into Marr territory by Musselburgh was rewarded with a penalty that was converted.

Marr immediately responded with more pressure play that forced Musselburgh to concede penalties. Marr opted to kick to the corner. An attacking move straight from the training ground followed. From the resulting lineout the forwards drive tied in Musselburgh’s back row and provided maximum space for Marr’s backs. The ball was spread wide and Scott Bickerstaff) sponsored by McKay’s Bar) was unstoppable as he sped in to score, bursting two tackles in the process.

Towards the end of the first quarter Musselburgh played to their strengths as they kicked a penalty to the corner and from the resultant lineout their big pack rumbled over to score a converted try and reduce the gap to seven points. Within two minutes Marr hit back with a second Scott Bickerstaff try as he burst through from midfield for the try bonus touchdown. On the half hour Marr’s pace and possession paid off with a try from Rory McGee.

In the first quarter of the second half a resurgent Musselburgh enjoyed most of the possession and territory. Musselburgh’s determination was rewarded with a converted try that raised the home support’s hopes that the deficit would be further reduced and turned around. Marr’s patience and precision in defence was effective and on 60 minutes Marr pounced on a rare Musselburgh error to launch a counter attack and score. As Musselburgh probed deep into Marr’s 22 a grubber kick was blocked by Colin Sturgeon who collected the ball and raced 50 metres. As he was about to be tackled he threaded a kick into Musselburgh’s 22 raced on to collect and offload to Scott Bickerstaff who had been on his shoulder from the start of the breakout. As Scott was tackled just short of the line he popped the ball up to Colin who finished the move he stated with a try.

This score lifted Marr and in the final quarter they added further tries from Grant Baird and Kyle Vallance. Matt Skeoch (sponsored by Smart Money Scotland) came on for the last 15 or so minutes as cover for hooker and replaced Ollie Rossi who had put in a great shift.

The bonus point win saw Marr draw level on points with Edinburgh Accies who held on to the league lead courtesy of a narrow advantage of two points on the points scored differential. The Autumn International’s break means that Marr’s league action is now suspended until 3 December when in the final match of the first half of the season they welcome GHA to Fullarton before the following week the meet Edinburgh Accies. So far this season Marr’s results have been almost perfect with nine wins out of ten matches. As the season approaches the half way point the players know there is a lot of rugby ahead but they are in an ideal position to be competing for the top spots.

Marr Rugby 1st XV man of the match: Dan Law (sponsored by MOR Construction)

Marr Rugby 1st XV scorers
Tries: Angus Johnston; Gregor Paxton; Scott Bickerstaff (2); Rory McGee; Colin Sturgeon; Grant Baird and Kyle Vallance
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon (5)