Hamilton Bulls U15 Vs Marr Rugby U15

Marr Rugby U15s travelled to Hamilton with a depleted squad for their first friendly match of the season with many players still on holiday and supported by Vice Captain Logan calling the shots and dispensing the water from the sidelines.

The matches over the past few years have been very competitive with Marr securing the wins by a narrow margin. Hamilton a well organised and competitive team won the toss and choose to commence the match.

Hamilton began the match with a kick to Marr Captain Ben Packard who gathered the ball and made good headway into the middle of the field. The supporting forwards Angus and Benn clearing the ruck well for Dan to release Struan making good yards followed by another excellent clear-out by Murray and Sean. This enabled Dan to get clean ball and the midfield exposed the overlap with some fine distribution by Harvey, Andrew and Rory to set Finn free from just over halfway to finish a fine team try in the corner.

The speed of play and ambition Marr endeavoured to deploy was met with considerable resistance by the Hamilton defence, however it was not long before a not dissimilar try was scored by Finn, who stuck some polish on the try by weaving in and out of several defenders before touching down in the corner. Hamilton restarted the match and keen to impress their own style of play progressed to the try-line down the wing to be stopped by a fine try saving tackle by Scott.

Hamilton passing the ball left to right met similar robust and persistent tackling in particular Murray with a rumbustious tackle forcing the Hamilton player to spill the ball for Cameron to collect on the Marr 22 to beat several defenders and score in the corner. Hamilton provided a timely reminder that they were not accepting of the belligerence of the Marr play and through several pick and goes and some slick hands by their scrum half slipped a nice pass to a team mate to slip through a gap and score just left of the posts. Hamilton now seeking to reduce the difference in the score line succumbed to a bulldozing run from just over half way by Struan to score just right of the posts in a fine individual try. Marr quickly sought to reinforce their advantage with several pick and goes, the pick of the bunch from James making his way to the Hamilton 5m line, enabled Struan to crash over the line for his second of the afternoon, another fine team try.

The work off the ball by the Marr forwards and midfield to maintain defensive pressure and take up threatening attacking positions was pleasing and was taking its toll on Hamilton. The forwards of both teams then began an arm wrestle sharing possession of the ball around midway, Marr then broke the stalemate and progressed to the Hamilton 22, the referee called for an infringement and awarded Marr the scrum, Dan broke right and with a well-timed pass set Harris free to score just right of the posts.

Marr now in the ascendancy and within touching distance of half time scored another well-structured team try with several phases of play by the forwards, Harvey identified the mismatch in the midfield and executed a fine pass to Finn to score in the corner with another blazing run. Hamilton not overwhelmed responded with try before half time.

HALF TIME Hamilton (10) Marr Rugby (41)

The second half began with Hamilton eager to take control of the game and reduce the points margin Marr had built in the first half. The impact of the Hamilton bench was significant and the redeployment of the inside centre into the forwards. Hamilton stretching the Marr defence and with some fine running by the wing brought in a team mate on the inside to score in the corner. Hamilton with their tails up blitzed, boshed and again silky running from their backs scored again. Marr under the pump, again were quickly back behind the posts with a third try in the second half for Hamilton.

Marr Captain Ben took the opportunity to create a sense of urgency and ambition in his team mates, and led by example with some great pressure play form the restart to regather the ball, a quick pass from Dan set Harris loose to charge into the Hamilton 22, a great clear-out by Sean and James secured the ball for Dan to slip Andrew through who unselfishly passed the ball to Finn to beat the last defender and score under the posts.

Marr seeking to close the game out demonstrated real determination and dominance and some fantastic carries into contact by Angus, and Benn ably supported by Murray and Struan on the clear out. A quick pop pass by Harris out of contact sent Ben on his way and with a clever dummy pass and step of the last defender scored a fine try under the posts. The match then came to an end with both sets of coaches pleased with the match and performance by both sets of players.

Marr would like to thank Hamilton for the match, Referee for officiating and and wish Hamilton every success for the beginning of the season.

FULL TIME Hamilton Bulls 20 Marr Rugby 55
Marr Man of the Match Harvey Broadfoot
Marr Magic Moments (1) Murray try saving tackle which also led to a try by Cameron (2) Andrew ripping the ball from an opponent on the tyrline preventing a score (3) Ben scoring a fine try with a dummy and great footwork.