Marr Rugby S2 Vs Dunfermline Rugby S2

Marr Rugby welcomed Dunfermline Rugby to Fullarton for a friendly fixture outwith regular school and club conferences. This was the first time both teams had played each other at midi level having crossed paths during mini festivals. Dunfermline unbeaten and top of a very competitive Galant conference was a real challenge and with Marr seeking to bounce back from a poor performance in their last match, the weather appeared to be the main obstacle in preventing a good game.

The conditions were not ideal, and due to unforeseen circumstances Dunfermline could only field 14 players, two from the Marr squad supplemented Dunfermline to play 15 a side. It was pleasing that both players played well and put plenty of effort into the Dunfermline shirt.

Marr began the game with real tempo and aggression at the breakdown and the Marr scum half identifying the overlap quickly passed the ball left to score by (BG). Moments later Marr executed an almost similar passage of play to score in the corner by (RC). Marr forwards maintained pressure on the Dunfermline defensive line for several phases before (RC) scored his second try of the afternoon. Dunfermline were now three trys behind which was not a fair reflection of the game during the first half as their commitment to the breakdown and stubborn defence was undone by some slick handling. Marr were having a purple patch and Dunfermline continued to seek a break in the Marr line and on several occasions broke through but with limited support, enabled Marr to recycle the ball and break loose from halfway to score three unanswered trys by FD, AF and FD.

The start of the second half was dominated in the first ten minutes by a galvanised Dunfermline, lead by their captain (8) with some quick thinking by the Dunfermline (9) to release the number (8) to score a fine try by bursting through several Marr tackles. Dunfermline's eagerness to gain the next score, lead to indecision at the restart, and gathered by (AR) popped to (HH) beating several defenders with a sidestep to score under the posts. Dunfermline responded immediately with the captain beating several defenders to bulldoze his way in at the corner.

In the closing ten minutes of the match, Marr extended their lead with (FD), (BP) & (AK) imposing themsleves by seeking out space to accelerate through tackles and find space to score a try. During the last phase of the game (FD) on another marauding run closing in on the try line found (SN) and passed for (SN) to score in the corner.

The scoreline does not reflect the effort, ambition and contribution the Dunfermline players made to the match, and on another day both sets of coaches felt this would be a tighter match. Marr coaches, players and parents were equally impressed by the "Team Spirit" on display by the Dunfermline players and their commitment to play an exciting brand of rugby.

Marr look forward to the return fixture (pencilled for April) and wish Dunfermline every success in securing top spot in the Galant confernce.

Final Score: Marr Rugby 34 -6 Dunfermline Rugby
Marr Man of the Match (AR)
Marr Magic Moment (HH) breaking from the line-out and evading several tackles only to be stopped by a fantastic tackle by the Dunfermline (15)