Marr U18 knock out Scottish School cup holders

Marr U18s travelled to Perthshire to take on Strathallan, the current Scottish School U18 champions on their own patch. In near perfect conditions and on a fantastic playing surface the game kicked off. Strathallan had the slight upper hand in the early exchanges with their Glasgow age grade players, namely the number eight and hooker to the fore. And it was these two who linked together to allow the hooker to dive over in the corner for the first points to Strathallan.. The conversion was successful giving the home team an early 7-0 lead.

Marr responded well and from a line-out on the Strathallan twenty two the forwards drove before releasing the backs and Matthew O'Leary went over in the corner for an unconverted try. Strathallan then replied almost immediately and after a number of phases breached the Marr defence to extend their lead to 12-5.

However Marr's pack, who to a man were superb throughout the match, started to dominate the scrum and were prepared to throw their bodies on the line in their defensive effort. Their pressure soon told and following some excellent carries and support work Jamie Drummond burst through to score a try which was converted by Gregor Beckwith. 12-12. Game on.

Marr then conjured up a fantastic team score when, after the forwards drove forward gaining valuable yards, the ball was laid back for the backs. Beckwith kicked a beautiful cross ball for winger Ryan Brown and he gathered and ran in to put Marr in the lead for the first time 17-12.

Soon after the Strathallan number 8 went off after having taken a number of heavy tackles. Strathallan were then penalised near their line shortly after and received a yellow card. With the opposition being reduced to 14 men and having lost their main ball carrier now was the moment for Marr to strike. From a dominant scrum the ball was moved and finally space was created for Ethan Reilly to go over for a try converted again by Beckwith. 24-12 to Marr. Shortly after the whistle blew for half time.

The second half started and Marr continued to put pressure on the Strathallan line. Scott Rodger was held up over the line after a well-worked line-out move. Eventually Strathallan were penalised and from a quick tap penalty by Keir Macdougall, substitute Cameron Mackenzie dived over for his first try for the 1st XV. 29-12

Marr continued to dominate the forward exchanges and, from a Murray Blair pick up at no. 8, Brown was released into space. He was brought down close to the line and from the resultant ruck the ball was passed to Drummond who crashed over for his second try. 34-12.

This was to be the final score of the game. Marr did what they needed to do to close the game out. All the squad members were able to get on the field and play their part in what was a memorable victory. A fantastic team effort from everyone involved.

Marr now enter the quarter finals as the only remaining public school in the competition, We now hit the road again with a match away to Dollar Academy, likely to be played on Wednesday 7th November. The future's bright. :)