Marr Rugby’s league season for 2019-20 got underway with important wins for all three of its senior sides. Getting five points in each match was just reward for the pre-season effort put in by all of the senior players but equally all involved are well aware that it’s a long season ahead …however, it is nice to get off to a good start!

Tennent’s Premiership: Jed-Forest RFC 28 – Marr Rugby 57
Tennent’s West Reserve League 1: Glasgow Accies 5 – Marr Rugby 68
Tennent’s West Reserve League 3: Marr Rugby 3rd XV 31 – Ardrossan Accies 2nd XV 14

See 1st XV match photos here

See news report and video highlights of 1st XV match here (courtesy of StuMedia)

1st XV Match summary – match report to follow: A healthy travelling support made their presence known against a decent sized home and vocal home support. Both sets of supporters were entertained by a captivating eighty minutes of rugby with 12 tries scored, some of which may end up as contenders for try of the month/season.

The spectators included some rugby royalty with Jim Telfer, Roy Laidlaw and Greig Laidlaw watching from the touchline. Jed-Forest had used the match to be the backdrop of an event to officially open their Three 9s function suite. With over 120 attending a pre-match lunch the opening ceremony involved the unveiling of a plaque by Jed’s celebrated trio of scrum halves – with Greig and Roy Laidlaw joined by Gary Armstrong.

Marr enjoyed early pressure after Ewan Hamilton-Bulger, in the parlance of the late great Bill McLaren, leapt like a Border salmon to take Conor Bickerstaff’s kick-off and give Marr immediate possession. After six minutes this was rewarded with the opening score after a successful conversion by Colin Sturgeon.

Then it all sent a bit squiffy for Marr as Jed pounced on and punished any mistake and plundered the ball to win turnover in tackles and at the breakdown.

They quickly rattled in three tries from turnover possession gained deep in their own half as their devastating back line carved their way through Marr’s defence to open a 21-3 lead.

Just before half time Marr managed to start to claw their way back when Conor Bickerstaff crossed over for the first of his four for the day. The score came after some good play by Marr’s pack that put the home side under real pressure and helped finally create some openings for Marr’s backs who until then had been well marshalled.

In the second half Jed struck first with Callum Young scoring after they stole turnover ball at the breakdown and sliced through the hearty of Marr’s defence. This left Marr trailing 28-10 and the Jed fans rejoicing and celebrating a comfortable home win.

With just over half an hour left to play Marr finally got all the parts of their play together and took the game by the throat. The sunny blue sky started to take a more purple and gold haze as Marr managed to convert growing dominance in the forward play into scoring opportunities. Jack Preston scored his first try for Marr. He was tackled just short of the line but showed great strength and situational awareness as he wrestled and wriggled to turn and stretch and touch the ball against the post protector to score. Five minutes later after another flurry of pressure close to Jed’s line Conor Bickerstaff burst through from close range to make the breakthrough score and take Marr into the lead 28-31. As the dominance and pressure was maintained Marr went on to add four more tries and with Colin Sturgeon in fine kicking form the scoreboard kept turning over to end the match with Marr scoring 47 unanswered points. As an opener it was a good win for Marr and allowed the players involved to reflect on the areas that need to be tightened up on.

Marr Rugby 1st XV man of the match: Will Farquhar (sponsored by Alex Graham)

Marr Rugby 1st XV scorers
Tries: Conor Bickerstaff (4); Jack Preston; Colin Sturgeon and Iosefo Turaga
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon 7
Penalty: Colin Sturgeon

2nd XV match summary – full details to follow but in short: Marr blew Glasgow Accies away with an avalanche of tries. The opening score coming after only three minutes of play and set up a pattern of one way traffic leaving Marr leading by 61 points to nil at half-time. In a shorted second half Marr added a further score and Accies gained a consolation try before the referee blew up early after Accies started to drop playing numbers players through retrials through injury. Gregor Beckwith (sponsored by the Auchans Bar and Restaurant) was in sublime kicking form.

Man of match and scorer info to follow.

3rd XV match summary – full details to follow but in short: A local derby is always a tasty affair but the match against Ardrossan Accies had some extra spice as Marr’s squad included some former Accies players who had during last season and also this year’s pre-season opted to switch to playing in purple and gold. Full details to follow but it’s worth noting that in Accies report on proceedings they highlight that they were beaten as their players started to fade whilst Marr’s didn’t falter and they finished strongly adding tries to seal the win.

Man of match and scorer info to follow.

Marr Rugby next fixtures – Saturday 14.9.19
1s – Home v Musselburgh
2s – Away v Hillhead Jordanhill
3s – Home v Uddingston 2nd XV