Marr Rugby edged out Edinburgh Accies, in the top of the table clash, with a last minute penalty converted by Colin Sturgeon to take top spot in BT NL 1.

A huge crowd of almost 400 was entertained by two sides playing high quality rugby at an intense tempo and during the match the lead swung to and fro leading to a nail-biting conclusion. Along the way Marr scored two tries including Conor Bickerstaff’s 100th in senior rugby for Marr and Colin Sturgeon (sponsored by Bricktrain Ltd) was in top kicking form claiming 17 points, with one conversion and five penalty kicks.

Accies dominated possession in the opening quarter and most of the play took place in Marr’s half. Marr managed to soak up much of the pressure through good defensive play with most first time tackles being effectively made. However, Accies pressure was finally rewarded with a converted penalty and on 20 minutes a slick handling move was finished off by scrum half Alex Glashan who crossed the try line to score.

On 25 minutes Marr had a rare attacking opportunity from midway in their half. As the ball was spread wide with quick hands, including from Kris Kirk (sponsored by the Anchorage Hotel) to Conor Bickerstaff who managed to draw a defender and create space for his brother Scott Bickerstaff who turned on his afterburners and rocketed 60 metres down the wing fending off a final tackle to score in the corner.

The rest of the second quarter was more evenly balanced with both sides having good attacking opportunities thwarted by even better defensive work. As half time approached, Marr enjoyed a decent spell of possession and territory. Under pressure Accies started to concede penalties and Marr used these opportunities to take play deep into Accies half. A promising passage of play near to the line was spoiled by Accies infringing and resulted in a yellow card for Neil Aitken. Colin Sturgeon converted the penalty and this gave Marr a half time lead 8 – 5.

Four minutes into the second half Marr extended the lead with another successful Sturgeon penalty kick. With Marr enjoying increasing dominance in the scrum and breakdown area Accies brought on replacement prop Lawrie Seydackto help steady their pack. The substitution was inspired as he immediately made his mark with some dynamic charges. As Accies got into a close range attacking position with Glashan held up just short of the line Seydack crashed through Marr’s defence to score a try converted by Ben Appleson.

Marr immediately replied with another successful penalty conversion to retake the lead after Accies were penalised at the breakdown. The advantage was short lived as Accies came thundering back and pinned Marr back near their line. After several attacking waves Marr’s defence was stripped bare and Accies were able to simply spread the ball wide and Neil Aitken was able to run in to the corner and score a try. Marr clawed back with another successful penalty to level the score. As the third quarter Ben Johnston made several trademark line breaks that helped to open up what had until then been a relatively water-tight Accies defence. After one of these breaks quick re-cycling from Grant Baird allowed Conor Bickerstaff (sponsored by CCL Logistics) to blitz a way through two defenders and race in form 25 metres to score a try. The conversion gave Marr a seven point advantage.

Once again Accies hit back and laid siege on Marr’s line. After multiple phases Lawrie Seydack was able to break through swatting away a tackle and run in to score near the post. The conversion was added to level the score at 24 points all.

This set the scene for a pulsating final ten minutes. Marr repeatedly pressed Accies defence and the pressure started to tell as again Accies conceded penalties. With five minutes remaining Accies were reduced to 14 men as Lawrie Seydack was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle.

As the match drew to a close Marr won another penalty within Colin Sturgeon’s kicking range and he slotted the effort home to give Marr a narrow lead. The final two minutes was played in frenzy as Accies desperately tried to add to their points tally. Marr remained composed and were able to secure turnover ball, retain possession and close the game out.

Marr’s reward from the victory was to move to top spot in the league and open up a single point advantage over Jed-Forest whose win saw them move up to second place a point ahead of Accies.

Marr Rugby 1st XV man of the match: Ben Johnston (sponsored by Professor Sir James Armour)

Marr Rugby 1st XV scorers
Tries: Scott Bickerstaff and Conor Bickerstaff
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon (1)
Penalties: Colin Sturgeon (5)