Marr Rugby’s pre-season preparations continued with a 28 strong squad travelling to Hartree Mill and playing four quarters which allowed rotation to give everyone game time.

As anticipated Biggar provide a good test, in particular their defensive work at the breakdown made it a real challenge for Marr to break through. The match started in brilliant sunshine but this lasted only twenty minutes as the heavens opened and both sides did very well to play in horrible conditions.

See match photos here

Match summary
Marr’s pack was in good form and managed to get an early edge against a big home pack. The first quarter saw two tries from new signing Benedict Grant (sponsored by Colin Adam) who was dynamic in open play and devastating from close range as he crashed through following close range scums.

In the first quarter Marr enjoyed good periods of possession and territory but Biggar’s defence managed to curtail Marr adding to the score while they added their own opening try as they reacted fastest to a spilled lineout ball close to Marr's line.

In the second quarter Biggar, gaining in confidence, enjoyed good periods of attacking play and were able to test Marr’s defence. This held firm and Marr were able to offer several counter attacks from deep with strong running from Conor and Scott Bickerstaff, Jack Scott and new signings Greg Montgomery and Iosefo Turaga. Marr’s third try was scored by Callum Steel who was in close support to Iosefo who had broken down the wing on a 50 plus metres sprint to the line. As he was tackled he offloaded to Callum who completed the move while carrying two defenders over the line.

In the third quarter Richard Dalgleish added to Marr’s tally. The scoring move started with another close range scrum and as Biggar’s defence repelled the initial forward surges the ball was spread wide and Richard cut through to score.

In the final quarter Marr’s try number five was added by Michael Quinn. This was another forwards dominated score as Marr gained a good attacking position close to Biggar’s line and Michael battered his way through defenders to score.

Marr Rugby scorers
Tries: Benedict Grant (2), Callum Steel, Richard Dalgleish and Michael Quinn
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon (3)

Marr Rugby 3rd XV match summary (from Andrew Mathieson)
Meanwhile at Troon, Marr Rugby's 3rd XV played host to local rivals Kilmarnock who with no 1st XV fixture fielded a strengthened 2nd XV. This coming season Kilmarnock are placed in the league above Marr so it was a good test for the home side's growing band of players.

Marr 3rds put on a very good performance against a Kilmarnock 'XV' eventually running out on the wrong side of a 15-26 defeat with 2 late tries conceded. Tries for Kevin Davey (his 1st for the club) and Adam McPherson and a penalty and conversion for Thomas Watkins were less than the team deserved for their efforts on the day. The team is building nicely though and shouldn't face a sterner test this season. MOM Adam McPherson