Marr Rugby’s 1st XV got back to winning was with a bonus point win achieved against a strong and improving Hamilton side, whose defensive efforts frequently kept Marr at bay. Meanwhile the 2s once again gave Boroughmuir a tough challenge and were unlucky to have their efforts rewarded only by a try bonus. The 2s travelled understrength and survived a yellow card without too much punishment.

See 1st XV match photographs here

1st XV match report - by Stephen Allam

MARR TAME BULLS

Saturday 3rd November Fullarton. TENNENTS NATIONAL LEAGUE 1.

With a strong gusting wind blowing directly down the park, this was always going to be a
game of two halves.

Marr kicked off, knowing that the first half was going to be extremely difficult.

Hamilton Bulls took immediate advantage by placing a good touch kick deep into Marr’s 22 metre line. After a superb last gasp, try saving tackle by Marr’s Captain Conor Bickerstaff resulting in a line out 5 metres from Marr’s line. After Bulls recycled the ball, they skilfully passed the ball out their three quarters to Gregor Brodie who found a gap in the Marr defence to score near the corner.

Marr were soon on the score sheet themselves, after many phases of rucking and mauling into the fierce wind, the ball was sent out wide to find Marr winger Andrew Mill (sponsored by James Kenneth), who had the pace to beat his defender and score in the corner.

The home side’s second try came ten minutes later. Conor Bickerstaff took a quick penalty finding the Bulls defence napping and after some good forward drives Marr prop Calvin Henderson had the power to drive over between the posts, to give Marr a deserved lead.
With the home sides confidence now high, Marr were soon attacking again. However, Hamilton won a loose ball close to their own line, kicked the ball eighty metres down the park. Marr then took a quick line out, but soon found themselves in trouble, with the Bulls rampaging forward they soon won the ball and managed to pass to their quick winger Ben Plant to take advantage of an overlap to score in the corner.

The half time score was Marr 12 Bulls 14.

Marr started the second half with the strong wind now behind them. Some excellent Hamilton defence managed to thwart Marr’s attack on several occasions but when fly half Conor Bickerstaff gave his brother Scott a short pass and with Scott travelling at great speed, he powered through several Hamilton defenders to score near the posts. Marr now took a deserved lead.

The home side now took this opportunity to bring on some fresh legs with Ollie Rossi replacing Stephen Adair and Ross Miller replacing Kris Kirk.

Ben Johnston was the next player to get on the score sheet, with some excellent forwards play, after some good ball retention from the Marr pack, allowed Big Ben to cross the Bulls line from close range.

With Marr now in a firm lead, Hamilton decided to play ‘keep ball’ themselves and frustrated Marr for the next 20 minutes, not allowing Marr to touch the ball once. This excellent phase of the match from Hamilton ultimately resulting in Bulls prop Taz McLaughlin driving over the home side’s line. This try must of given Bulls coach David Gemmell great pleasure.

The last try of the match came after sustained pressure and some good handing from the forwards, resulting in last year’s captain Angus Johnston showing exceptional pace to score close to the Bulls posts, giving Liam Mcloughlin an easy conversion, to make the final score Marr 40 Bulls 21.

With one more match next week against Cartha Queens Park, this will take us up to the half way point in the league and Marr sitting only 2 points behind Jed Forest it makes for an extremely exciting time for Marr.

Marr Rugby 1st XV man of the match – Angus Johnston (sponsored by Jimmy Armour)

Marr Rugby 1st XV scorers
Tries: Andrew Mill; Calvin Henderson; Ben Johnston; Scott Bickerstaff: Angus Johnston and Penalty Try
Conversions: Liam McLoughlin (5)

Marr Rugby next fixtures – Saturday 10.11.18 (12.30pm k.o.’s)
1s Away v Cartha
3s Home v GHK 2s