Marr 18s too strong for Carrick

Marr entertained Carrick on Saturday morning, with a freezing wind blowing and the constant threat of heavy showers. The unavailability and injury of a number of first team players provided the opportunity for a number of players to stake a claim for next weeks final XV a side match against Kelvinside. Despite the difficult conditions Marr set the tone of the match from the start.

From the kick off Thomas Miller gathered a loose take from Carrick and off loaded to Murray Blair who drove forward. He was eventually held up over the line. From the resultant scrum Blair made no doubt of the score going over from his number 8 pick up. Calum Inglis was on kicking duty but struck the post with the conversion attempt.

Inglis then went over for try number two after a period of pressure. Again the conversion attempt came off the post. Good hands then provided Scott McDonald with the opportunity to go over for try number . Third time lucky and Inglis added the two points. 17 -0 to Marr.
Marr then entered a purple faze where repeated scores came straight from the kick off. Tries came from Scott Toner (2), Josh Affleck, Kyle McCulloch and Matthew O’Leary with four successful conversions by Inglis extended Marr’s lead to 48-0.

Credit to Carrick who, with the help of a few penalties given away by Marr, had a period of pressure in Marr’s twenty two, before going through for a converted try.

Marr responded straight away and Cammie McKenzie charged through for a converted try to make the half time score 55-7.

Marr pressed the Carrick line from the kick off with Josh Affleck prominent carrying the ball forward. Toner charged down a kick and was alert enough to get the touch down for his hat trick. Inglis knocked over the two points.

Further scores then came from Reilly, Inglis and O’Leary with man of the match Inglis successful with all the conversions before prop Isaac Renucci burst through the defensive line close to the half way line and had the strength and speed to go through for Marr’ final converted try, and make the score 90-7. With a further heavy, squally shower hitting the referee blew for full time and the players and spectators hurried for shelter.

Despite the conditions and the cold Marr maintained a high level with very few unforced errors and an excellent all round team performance.