Marr Rugby preview (Saturday 7.3.2020): All systems go - Marr Rugby’s three senior XV’s hit the road as they aim to end season on a high.

Tennent’s Premiership: Aberdeen Grammar Rugby v Marr Rugby
Tennent’s Reserve League W1: Hamilton RFC v Marr Rugby
Tennent’s Reserve League W3: Strathaven RFC 2s v Marr Rugby

After recent weather related disruption there is plenty of rugby to chose from as Marr Rugby’s three senior XV’s are back in action on Saturday. As they reach the closing stages of the season all three have much to play for and face difficult matches away from home.

1st XV preview: It’s an early start for the long haul to Rubislaw as Marr travel to play Aberdeen Grammar. This is Marr’s second visit of the season to the Granite city. In August Marr came from behind to beat Grammar in the preliminary round of the Scottish Cup. In November when Grammar visited Fullarton it was a dominate display from Marr as they won 61 – 7. Grammar have been out of sorts on the road but their home record is reasonable good. Saturday will be their final match of the season and they will be fired up to avenge the earlier defeats and make a mark on the competition between Marr, Currie and Hawick as they fight out for the top spots to end the season with a home advantage in the forthcoming playoffs .

Danger men for Grammar are Nathan Brown, Nathan Coe and Tom Aplin who is chasing down Colin Sturgeon for the accolade of Golden Boot. Tom is only two points behind Colin.

Marr’s squad remains relatively unchanged. Scott Bickerstaff is unavailable following his late call up to travel to Vancouver and join the Scotland 7s squad as emergency cover. As a result Richard Dalgleish switches from left to right wing and Tom Steven has been promoted from the bench to cover the left flank. This will be Tom’s 50th cap. His place on the bench is taken by Gregor Ness and he’s joined their by Jamie Drummond who has now fully recuperated from injury.

Marr Rugby 1st XV squad

1. William Farquhar 114
2. Ollie Rossi 120
3. Calvin Henderson 30
4. Ewan Bulger 62
5. Fraser Grant 164
6. Mackenzie Pearce [VC] 96
7. Robert Brown 17
8. Benedict Grant 16
9. Jack Preston 14
10. Colin Sturgeon 128
11. Tom Steven 49
12. Conor Bickerstaff (c) 190
13. Gregor Paxton 63
14. Richard Dalgleish 50
15. Greg Montgomery 16
Replacements
16. Jamie Drummond 6
17. Brandon Sweet 15
18. Josh Harvey 6
19. Gregor Ness
20. Jack Scott 31

2nd XV preview: Marr Rugby’s 2nd XV face a real test as they travel to Bent Road. Hamilton were the early pace setters in the league and ran out comfortable winners when the sides met at Fullarton. Marr’s squad has a nice blend of youth and experience. The intention is to build on their last match were they crushed GHK and deliver a similar performance that hopefully will help contain and control Hamilton’s firepower.

Marr sit in second spot and part of a pack of three, including Hamilton, fighting to end the season in the runners up place behind runaway leaders GHA.

Marr Rugby 2nd XV squad

1. Neil Wallace
2. Blair Campbell
3. Isaac Renucci
4. Callum Craig
5. Cody Cunningham
6. Scott Rodger
7. Kyle McCulloch
8. Josh Evans (c)
9. Ali Hazel
10. Callum Ingils
11. George Dunn
12. Gregor Beckwith
13. Scott MacDonald
14. Ryan Brown
15. Alex McCormack
Replacements
16. Graeme Dick
17. Mark Allison
18. Matthew O'Leary
19. David Craig

3rd XV preview: Marr Rugby’s 3rd XV have suffered from major disruption to their season with a number of matches cancelled due to adverse weather. This will be their first match since 25 January and they have five matches remaining to complete their season. It’s a settled squad with a good mix of experience and youth that has managed to challenge for the top spot with nine wins out of eleven matches. Euan McGerty will be looking to add to is tally of 20 tries so far this season, and a special mention goes to youngsters Alistair Scoular and Roddy Fell who've really broken through this season

Marr sit in second spot, just four points behind Carrick 2s but have two games in hand. Coach Andy Mathieson and captain Sean Duff will have their troops wound up to get back into the top spot and complete the season on this high.

Marr Rugby 3rd XV squad
1. Darren Morgan
2. Sean Duff (c)
3. Jason Doolan
4. Roddy Fell
5. Alistair Barclay
6. John Calder
7. Alastair Scoular
8. Adam McPherson
9. Ruairidh Bruce
10. Thomas Watkins
11. Aston Kerr
12. Stephen Beveridge
13. Euan McGerty
14. Craig Starkey
15. Roddy McIntyre
Replacements
16. Jim McNiven
17. Andy Dunlop
18. Gareth Abbot
19. Gordon Anderson