Marr Rugby senior fixtures - Saturday 21.9.19
Tennent’s Premiership: GHA v Marr Rugby
Tennent’s Reserve West 1: GHA v Marr Rugby
Tennent’s West Reserve League 3 (South): Marr Rugby 3rd XV v Clydesdale RFC 1st XV

This Saturday, the members of the Purple and Gold army have a tough choice to decide which part of the feast of Marr Rugby action that is on offer they will get out onto the touchline to support. Will it be Braidholm or Fullarton?

Marr Rugby’s 1st and 2nd XV’s have the rare experience of travelling and playing together as they head for Braidholm and play GHA in the third round of their respective leagues.

The 2s face a top of the table clash as GHA have also won both opening matches and head the table but only on the basis of a slightly better scoring differential GHA plus 127 points, Marr plus 123 points and Hamilton plus 103 points. Consequently by 4.40pm or thereabouts there will be some changes to the top three slots and as Hamilton don’t have a fixture it’ll be an opportunity for GHA or Marr to create some blue water to get ahead of the pack. Marr’s record against GHA hasn’t been great with the home side winning both home and away fixtures when they met last season. However Marr’s squad is much changed and after their cracking start it’s all to play for.

The 1st XV, who are looking for their 10th win in a row against GHA, will have to be on song as they play a home side, winless in their opening matches, that will be desperate to claim Marr’s scalp to get their season off and running. GHA always treat this fixture like their cup final and in recent years Marr Rugby’s 1st XV travelling support have enjoyed or perhaps survived some really close fought and compelling encounters. The sides last met on a wild windy, wet and muddy day in March 2019. With Marr reduced to 14 players for most of the second half and GHA leading 5- 3 going into the final seconds of the match the home support will still carry a sense of daylight robbery as Marr pounced on a poorly executed box kick to launch a counter attack from midway inside their own half. Conor Bickerstaff, who had been well shepherded throughout the match up until this point, spotted a chink of light in the defence, turned on his afterburners and made a cracking line break. Reaching GHA’s 22 metre area he was tackled but managed to layback the ball to his support and the move ended with Richard Dalgleish powering over the line to score in the corner. Going into today’s match Marr sit in second place sandwiched on between Hawick and Currie. All three sides are on maximum points and scoring differential again provides the separation. As Currie entertains Hawick we will know by 4.40pm how the results from both matches change the top of the table. Marr gave a good opportunity but to capitalise on this some hard work, patience and precision is required – reducing the penalty count and keeping fifteen players on the pitch.

Marr’s 1st XV squad shows a small number of changes. Greg Montgomery switches from full back to scrum half due to the unavailability of Jack Preston (personal commitment) and continuing absence through injury of Findlay Hazel. Greg is the classic utility back who has previous experience at as scrum half and in training it looks like he’ll fit comfortably in to start in this position. Gregor Ness is brought in to start at fullback and after very good performances with the 2s Jack Scott is added to the bench from where he will make a major impact to Marr’s already strong back line. Jamie Drummond starts with the 2s to give him game time and help strengthen the pack in this vital match and his place and as a consequence Curran McMillan is brought onto the bench for the 1s. Also good to see new recruit Josh Harvey make his competitive Marr debut in the 2's after returning from physio placement at Bristol Bears. Big Josh will be looking to make an impact to force his way into the 1s squad.

Last but not least, at Fullarton Marr Rugby’s resurgent 3rd XV play host to Clydesdale 1st XV. Marr currently sit in fourth spot with maximum points from both previous fixtures. They are in a pack of three chasing league leaders Carrick who hold a three point advantage but have played an extra match. Marr have a great opportunity to at least climb into third spot or potentially second but like the 2s and 1s need to make sure they put in the hard work and have patience and precision and bring the effort and preparation from work in training onto the playing field. With ever increasing numbers of players available and more returning to the game the 3rd XV has the almost unique situation of players competing for a place in the squad, never mind the starting XV.

Every one of Marr Rugby’s XV’s has a lot to play for, let’s hope it’s a Purple and Gold day.

Marr Rugby 1st XV squad

1. Brandon Sweet (3)
2. Ollie Rossi (107)
3. Calvin Henderson (25)
4. Ewan Hamilton-Bulger (47)
5. Fraser Grant (151)
6. Mackenzie Pearce (VC) (81)
7. Robert Brown (3)
8. Benedict Grant (3)
9. Greg Montgomery (2)
10. Colin Sturgeon (115)
11. Richard Dalgleish (38)
12. Conor Bickerstaff (C) (175)
13. Gregor Paxton (52)
14. Scott Bickerstaff (207)
15. Gregor Ness (121)

Replacements
16. Curran McMillan (15)
17. William Farquhar (99) *100th Cap*
18. Cody Cunningham (3)
19. Jack Scott (19)
20. Iosefo Turaga (2)

Marr Rugby 2nd XV squad

1. Neil Wallace
2. Jamie Drummond
3. Isaac Renucci
4. Callum Steel
5. Josh Harvey
6. Murray Blair
7. Kyle McCulloch
8. Josh Evans (C)
9. Alex McCormack
10. Gregor Beckwith
11. Matthew O'Leary
12. Murray Beckwith
13. Scott McDonald
14. Ryan Brown
15. Rory McGee

Replacements
16. Blair Campbell
17. Mark Allison
18. Callum Craig
19. Ali Craig
20. Mackenzie Smith
21. Sean Nicholl

Marr Rugby 3rd XV squad

1. Jason Doolan
2. Neil Campion
3. Darren Morgan
4. Adam McPherson
5. Kyle Young
6. Craig Miller
7. Alastair Scoular
8. Scott Grant (c)
9. Ryann Elliot
10. Thomas Watkins
11. Jandy Dunlopez
12. Ruairidh Grayston
13. Euan McGerty
14. Stephen Beveridge
15. Roddy McIntyre
Replacements

16. Craig Starkey
17. Alistair Barclay
18. Lachlan Nicoll
19. John Calder
20. Archie Paton
21. Andrew Watson
22. Fraser McPherson