Marr Rugby round-up (5.10.19): Hat-trick for Marr Rugby - 1s throw a spanner into the works of the Green Machine; 2s back on winning ways; while 3s continue to hit winning ways and remain unbeaten.

Marr Rugby senior results (5.10.19)
Tennent’s Premiership: Hawick RFC 15 - Marr Rugby 43
Tennent’s West Reserve League 1: Cartha QP RFC 8 - Marr Rugby 22
Tennent’s West Reserve League 3: Marr Rugby 66 – Dalziel RFC 5

See 1st XV match photos here.

Match reports to follow.

Marr Rugby round-up summary: Marr Rugby’s three senior sides each enjoyed winning ways with wins at home and on the road.

Good performances from the 3s at home where they comfortably overcame Dalziel and a makeshift 2s side that was hit by early in the match when influential players Josh Evans and Kyle Vallance had to retire through injury went on to dominate and get a bonus point win on the road against Cartha.

But, perhaps the icing on the cake was Marr Rugby’s trip to Mansfield Park. Hawick RFC is part of Scottish Rugby folklore, with many ties to great names in the game, in history and the recent past and present. So far 58 players have added a Scotland Blue top to their starting Hawick Green. Surnames like Deans, Pender, Renwick, Stanger, Telfer, Tomes, Turnbull and Walker will trigger many memories and in recent years they are added to by Hogg and Graham, who are currently on adventure in Japan.

Marr Rugby feels privileged to be playing amongst the top tier of Scottish club rugby. We’ve worked hard to earn this privilege and having broken through intend to stay!

On Saturday the 1st XV made their third visit to Mansfield Park. The previous record shows one Cup defeat and one league win. Saturday doubled the win tally. The match was enjoyed by a small travelling support and just over 200 home fans. Borders rugby fans are almost as vocal and knowledgeable as those on the “Hill”.

If anyone independent of the Green Machine or Purple and Gold Army was present, they were able to watch 80 minutes of excitement and adventure, with some fast and flowing rugby, as both sides battled for supremacy or to salvage anything from the day. For Marr the sun shone Purple and Gold. Hawick’s green mist turned yellow as two home players were sin binned in the first half in quick succession, leaving Marr with the perfect opportunity to capitalise AND they did with three tries to add to their opening scores.

At the start of the second half Marr piled on the pressure, adding two more tires to gain a match winning lead. In the final quarter Hawick managed to get their act together and started to test Marr. Two home tries followed, but it was the classic too little and way too late.

Marr’s win was achieved through a great team performance with simple things done well and with intensity and pack. The pack dominated and set up a perfect platform for the backs to exploit.

The win keeps Marr Rugby top of the Premiership, We know there is lots of rugby left before the season is complete, but it’s much better to be looking down than up. Marr Rugby’s 1st XV has worked hard to be where they are and know they need to work harder to maintain this position.

Marr Rugby 1st XV man of the match: Brandon Sweet (sponsored by Allan Macintosh)

Marr Rugby 1st XV scorers
Tries: Ioseffo Tuarga (2); Richard Dalgleish; Gregor Paxton; Conor Bickerstaff and Penalty Try
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon (5)
Penalty: Colin Sturgeon

2nd XV match summary – full details to follow but in short. Marr Rugby’s 2nd XV bounced back from the previous week’s narrow defeat away to Stirling with a bonus point win away against Cartha. It was far from an ideal start for Marr as their captain and influential back row player Josh Evans was forced to retire through injury with less than five minutes on the clock. He was then joined on the side-lines by Kyle Vallance who sustained a hand injury. Despite this Marr’s squad battled on and gained an advantage that they held on to scoring four tries along the way. It was a good win and with next Saturday being a free week the squad gets the chance to rest and recover before their next match at home on 19 October when they face GHK.

Man of match: Callum Steel (sponsored by Langholm Farm Shop and Tea Room)

Marr Rugby 2nd XV scorers
Tries: Chris Galloway; Kyle Vallance; Callum Steel and Issac Rennucci
Conversion: Gregor Beckwith

3rd XV match summary: Marr Rugby’s 3rd XV blitzed Dalziel rattling in five tries before any reply. When Dalziel finally scored it added incentive for Marr to hit back and they added a further five tries to pile on the misery for travelling supporters and joy for the home support

Marr Rugby 3rd XV man of the match: Mackenzie Smith

Marr Rugby scorers
Tries: Craig Starkey (3); Sean Duff; Euan McGerty; Scott Grant; Stephen Beveridge (2); Adam McPherson and Roddy McIntyre
Conversions: Thomas Watkins (8)

Marr Rugby next fixtures – Saturday 12.10.19
1s – Home v Selkirk
2s – Free weekend
3s – Home v Carrick 2nd XV