West U15 Plate Final

Marr Rugby’s U15s won the West Region Plate beating Greenock Wanderers 24-43 in the final.

With Greenock drawn at home but their pitches unavailable the match was played at Birkmyre’s ground in Kilmacolm. Unfortunately a double-booking meant there was a 10s tournament also being played so the match kicked-off 50 minutes late. However, the weather was glorious and some of the 10s tournament spectators stayed on to supplement healthy Marr and Greenock contingents to give the boys their biggest crowd of the season.

Marr started well playing some of their best rugby this season in an opening 15 minute spell in which they rucked and countered-ruck Greenock time and time again. Only some on-the-line defending kept Marr out but eventually the opening tries came from Cameron Mackenzie and Scott Grassom to give Marr a 12-0 lead (Calum Inglis landing 1 of his 4 conversions).

Marr then switched off and some lapses in concentration allowed Greenock back into the game with 2 scores to take the game to 12-12. Fortunately Marr responded well and a penalty 20 metres out allowed Scott Rodger to crash over. This was then followed by an excellent try from David Craig fielding a kick over the Greenock backs, evading a couple of tackles and running in from 50 metres out. At half-time the score was 26-12.

In the second half Marr started well with Josh Affleck showing great determination to go over but Greenock responded to keep within 2 scores at 33-19. Marr finally moved well clear with Thomas Miller finishing off a passage of play in which Marr chased a kick-through and collectively harried Greenock to allow Marr to regain the ball just short of the line and go over. Nairn Calder then completed an attack by Marr’s backs to take the score to 43-19. The last word went to Greenock who broke through Marr’s defence to run in from 40 metres out and the game ended 43-24 to Marr.

This was a great team effort as demonstrated by 7 tries from 7 players. The forwards dominated large parts of the game, setting up a platform time and time again to allow our backs to run. There was some great handling in the backs with our mid-field of Nairn, Cameron Paterson and Scott Toner continuously testing Greenock.

A huge thanks to our travelling support, great to see so many there to cheer on the boys. The support of parents throughout the season – especially with catering and washing kit! – is always much appreciated.

A great end to the U15s season with the Plate trophy added to their victory in the U15 Glasgow South Group in the autumn and a school conference season in which they finished runners-up with only one defeat. They can look forward with confidence to the U16s season.