Marr Rugby 1st XV match summary (match sponsor Mono Consultants): Marr Rugby 1st XV delivered one of its strongest and most complete performances of the season so far. They relentlessly pounded Aberdeen Grammar’s defence and along the way from set piece and open play forced open defensive holes that were exploited to good effect. Within six minutes Marr were two tries ahead. The first was scored off a driving maul from a close range lineout as Ben Johnston peeled off to crash through. Five minutes later Scott Bickerstaff was released down his wing. As he powered over the line Tom Aplin was forced to tackle high to prevent the touchdown. Referee George Pounder had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try and issuing a yellow card.

Ironically, the following ten minutes saw Grammar play some of their best attacking rugby and were rewarded with a converted try after Craig Shepherd blasted through Marr’s defence from a close range drive.

Towards the end of the first quarter Marr managed to get back on track. Tom Steven (sponsored by Craig Armour) was brought into midfield play off an attacking scrum and deftly slipped into a defensive gap to score from 25 metres. This was quickly followed by a try from Scott Bickerstaff whose power and pace down his wing was unstoppable. Five minutes later Mackenzie Pearce added the first of his three tries. Marr’s forwards were camped near to Grammar’s try line and Mackenzie took a route one approach to explode through to score. Grammar’s defence was being seriously stretched but to their credit they battled well to stem the relentless pressure. They held firm until just before half time when Marr added to their try tally. Once again it was Mackenzie Pearce who bulldozed his way through from close range.

Marr kept the momentum going in the opening minutes of the second half. Great interplay from defence by Scott and Conor Bickerstaff led to a try scored by Conor. For the following fifteen minutes Grammar stepped up a gear and enjoyed some good possession and territory. However they weren’t able to convert this to points as Marr’s defence held firm. As the final quarter approached Marr managed to regain the offensive initiative. Craig Kolarik’s (sponsored by Smart Money) tactical kicking gave Marr territorial advantage and he was at the centre of creating the next try with some silky and evasive running that saw him skip past tacklers before being stopped close to the line. Quick re-cycling saw the ball fed to Ben Johnston who burst and twisted through several tackles to cross and score.
This set off a final period, in worsening weather conditions, where Marr dominated and pummelled Grammar’s defence to open gaps. Tries followed in quick and metronomic succession. Stephen Adair started the final flurry and was followed by Mackenzie Pearce who exploited an opportunity from a short range penalty to barge through the defence and score. This was followed by Conor Bickerstaff’s second and the final say went to Tom Steven. This came after a perfectly weighted chip from Colin Sturgeon was collected by Craig Kolarik who then executed a great two on one pass to Tom Steven who ran in from forty metres and carried the cover defence over the line to score.

Marr Rugby 1st XV man of the match: Mackenzie Pearce (sponsored by AG Peters, Garage)

Marr Rugby scorers
Tries: Ben Johnston (2); Tom Steven (2); Scott Bickerstaff; Mackenzie Pearce (3); Conor Bickerstaff (2); Stephen Adair and one penalty try
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon (9)