Marr Rugby senior results (21.9.19)
Tennent’s Premiership: GHA RFC 29 - Marr Rugby 48
Tennent’s West Reserve League 1: GHA RFC 48 - Marr Rugby 39
Tennent’s West Reserve League 3: Marr Rugby 40 – Clydesdale RFC 1st XV 7

See 1st XV match photos here and better ones from Jon Pearce here

Wins for Marr Rugby’s 1st and 3rd XV’s leave them sitting in first and second place in their respective leagues, while the 2nd XV’s vital bonus points leaves them sitting in second spot, closely chasing the leaders GHA 2s.

Saturday 28 September sees two top of the table clashes at Fullarton.

The 1st XV play host to Currie Chieftains, with both clubs on equal points and Marr in pole position courtesy of a better scoring differential. Currie will travel to Troon no doubt still bouncing from their comprehensive win against Hawick so we expect it’ll be a firecracker. There are still some places available for the pre-match lunch - see details here.

On the top pitch the 3rd XV will meet Annan’s 2nd XV in what looks like will be another potential high scoring match. Both sides are on 15 points from the three matches played so far, with Annan leading due to a better scoring differential. With Annan scoring an average of 54 points in their previous matches while Marr average 33 we expect a bit of a try fest.

After a close fought contest against the league leaders, that still leaves them in second spot in the league, the 2nd XV will be aiming to get back on to winning ways when they travel to Bridgehaugh and play Stirling.

1st XV Match summary: Match report to follow - but in short, matches at Braidholm are always keenly contested and close fought affairs and for sixty minutes this one was no different. GHA’s performance belied their league as they got off to a flying start and opened the scoring with a try from the opening phases of the match. Their defensive works was tenacious, thwarting Marr’s attempts to gain control, and were always dangerous in attack. On ten minutes Marr finally managed to break through GHA’s defence with Gregor Paxton (sponsored by Hugh Smith) scoring in the corner. Colin Sturgeon landed the extra points with a superbly taken conversion, using the strong wind to draw the ball and carry over the cross bar and between the sticks. Colin then quickly added a second try as Marr’s forwards and backs delivered some devastating interplay that blasted the home defence part. GHA refused to buckle and ended the first quarter with a converted try. Just before the half hour mark Marr added a third try as Gregor Ness grabbed the first of his brace for the day to leave the halftime score GHA 12 – Marr 19.

For the first 10 minutes of the second half the margin was maintained as the sides traded tries and then narrowed to four point’s following a successful GHA penalty conversion. As the match entered the final quarter Marr finally managed to break loose of GHA’s shackles. They added four further tries while conceding two as GHA battled to take something from the match and were rewarded with a deserved try bonus point.

Marr’s win came at a cost as Mackenzie Pearce was forced to retire through injury with a cut to his head. Up until that point he’d once again been a key figure in Marr’s pack, with another great display of dynamic tackling and making the hard yards in attack. He’ll be assessed during the week to see if he’s fit and ready to take his usual place in back row where his ability, energy and commitment will be greatly welcomed by those supporting Purple and Gold.

The match was appearance no 100 for Will Farquhar and once again he was in his element in set piece and open play. A prop who is devastating when on the rampage and who has pace and handling skills that some backs will never reach...Wilko's a major asset in Marr's squad.

For the second week in a row Marr’s standout performer was another member of the back row as Benedict Grant was in devastatingly fine form, especially with his breaks in open play.

Marr Rugby 1st XV man of the match: Benedict Grant (sponsored by Colin Adam)

Marr Rugby 1st XV scorers
Tries: Gregor Paxton (2); Colin Sturgeon; Gregor Ness (2); Scott Bickerstaff (2); and Jack Scott
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon 4

2nd XV match summary – full details to follow but in short: The match against GHA was a good test to see how far Marr Rugby’s 2nd XV had progressed from last season when the home side had comfortably won both fixtures. At half time GHA led by 24-15 and while Marr had crossed the whitewash three times they were unable to add any extra points as Gregor Beckwith’s normally reliable boot struggled in the swirling wind with kicks from near the touchlines. In the second half GHA started to threaten to pull ahead but Marr’s refused to give up and in the end ran them close, gaining two vital bonus points to add to their tally for the season. Marr’s players and coaches too a lot of learning from the contest and when all said and done – some good heart that they weren’t far off the mark and could look forward to the return fixture to balance the result.

Man of match and scorer info to follow.

3rd XV match summary – full details to follow but in short: For the second week on a row Marr Rugby’s 3rd XV faced 1st XV opposition and once again they came out on top. Clydesdale had the benefit of a big pack but Marr’s more expansive game won the day as they scored six tries while conceding only one.

Marr Rugby 3rd XV man of the match: Adam McPherson
Marr Rugby 3rd XV scorers
Tries: Thomas Watkins; Jandy Dunlopez; Euan McGerty (3) and Adam McPherson
Conversions: Thomas Watkins (5)

Marr Rugby next fixtures – Saturday 28.9.19 (check Marr Rugby website for kick-off times)
1s – Home v Currie Chieftains
2s – Away v Stirling
3s – Home v Annan 2nd XV