Marr Rugby round-up (12.10.19): Fortress Fullarton remains intact as 1s stay top with hard fought bonus point win against Selkirk while 3s slip against Carrick 2s.

Marr Rugby senior results (12.10.19)
Tennent’s Premiership: Marr Rugby 38 – Selkirk RFC 13
Tennent’s West Reserve League 3: Marr Rugby 14 – Carrick RFC 2nd XV 19

See 1st XV match photos courtesy of Ken Ferguson here and Jon Pearce here.

Match reports to follow

Marr Rugby round-up summary: Marr Rugby’s 1st XV’s impressive record of wins at home continued with what in the end looked like a comfortable victory over Selkirk but those who were at Fullarton know that the final score line belies just how close a match it was for almost 70 minutes. Selkirk opened the scoring and it took Marr almost 25 minutes to finally manage to break down what had been a solid defence as Richard Dalgleish scored in the corner. Five minutes later power play from the pack was rewarded with a second try as Fraser Grant (sponsored by Project Panel Solutions) crashed over from close range and Colin Sturgeon converted. Selkirk quickly hit back with a converted try to end the half trailing by only two points (Marr Rugby 12 – Selkirk RFC 10).

The first quarter of the second half was another close affair as the defences cancelled each other out. Marr’s cause wasn’t helped when Calvin Henderson was sent to the naughty step after a high tackle. Selkirk tried to press the advantage but found Marr stubborn and unbending. It wasn’t until the final quarter that Marr’s stamina appeared to give them the match winning edge as the started to find holes on Selkirk’s elsewise tight defence. Gregor Ness was able to run on to a clever grubber kick from Colin Sturgeon and shortly after this Conor Bickerstaff scored a lovely individual try. The last two scores of the day came as the match drew to a close. Ollie Rossi scored in the corner and in the last play Robert Brown made an incisive line break before Conor Bickerstaff continued to close in on the line and as he was tackled just short he popped the ball to Jamie Drummond (sponsored by The Pier, Troon) who was on his shoulder and he finished the move to score his debut try for Marr.

Marr Rugby 1st XV man of the match: Conor Bickerstaff (sponsored by CCL Logistics)

Marr Rugby 1st XV scorers
Tries: Richard Dalgleish; Fraser Grant; Gregor Ness; Conor Bickerstaff; Ollie Rossi and Jamie Drummond
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon (4)

Marr Rugby’s 3rd XV were edged out by Carrick’s 2nd XV in the local derby. The home side got off to a slow start whilst Carrick hit the ground running and quickly opened up a lead. Once they had the advantage Carrick held on and Marr were only able to salvage a losing bonus point. After the match Marr’s squad reflected and realise that they need to be sharper for the full eighty minutes.

Marr Rugby 3rd XV man of the match: Rory MacColl

Marr Rugby 3rd XV scorers
Tries: Stephen Beveridge and Ruairidh Grayston
Conversions: Thomas Watkins and Rory MacColl

Marr Rugby next fixtures – Saturday 19.10.19
1s – Home v Edinburgh Accies
2s – Home v GHK
3s – Away v East Kilbride/Cambuslang 2nd XVs