Marr Rugby’s 2nd XV’s win away against Dalziel leaves them in an unassailable position in BT Reserve League West 1. With two matches remaining Marr’s tally reached 95 points whilst nearest challengers GHK sit on 74 points and have still to play four matches.

Meanwhile at Fullarton Marr Rugby’s 1st XV made it a hard afternoon for Musselburgh as they ran in a dozen tries while keeping their own line intact. The result maintained their four point advantage as league leaders over Edinburgh Accies who also secured a bonus point win. The results set the scene for a final day decider next Saturday as Marr travel to play GHA while Accies play host to Aberdeen Grammar.

Marr Rugby 1st XV match summary: Over 500 people enjoyed a rugby and try feast at Fullarton as Marr’s power play overwhelmed Musselburgh scoring twelve tries in the process while preventing the visitors from gaining any points. The final tally could have been higher if it hadn’t been for Musselburgh’s tenacious defence. They worked tirelessly trying to stem the waves of Marr attacks but faced with such intensity it was only a matter of time and patience before Marr created or found gaps and capitalised.

The scoring was opened in five minutes as Dan Law did a deft show and go to leave the defenders wrong footed and let him run in from 25 metres. This set the tone and timing for the rest of the afternoon. Marr’s scrum was dominant and gaining a penalty advantage in Musselburgh’s 22m area Marr opted to use the scrum as the attacking platform. Conor Bickerstaff burst through from close range to touch down.

The third try followed more power play by Marr’s forwards at the set piece scrum. Winning possession the ball was spread wide and quick recycling from the breakdown kept possession and with the defence being pulled in an overlap was exploited by Scott Bickerstaff. Five minutes later Grant Baird added the bonus point fourth try with a textbook side-step inside the final defender to score from close range. The final try of the first half was created from midway inside Marr’s half. Winning turnover possession the ball was fed out to Colin Sturgeon whose mazy running mesmerised the defence as he weaved a path towards the line making forty metres before offloading to Angus Johnston who was in close support to end the attack with a try.

The second half almost mirrored the first with the exception that Marr’s efforts were rewarded with seven tries. To their credit Musselburgh’s players never gave up trying to stop the purple and gold tide of attacks but they were up against a team playing with patience and perseverance and the tries kept coming.

Marr Rugby 1st XV man of the match – Angus Johnston

Marr Rugby 1st XV scorers
Tries: Dan Law; Conor Bickerstaff; Scott Bickerstaff (4); Grant Baird; Angus Johnston (2); Tom Steven (2); McKenzie Pearce;
Conversions: Colin Sturgeon (8)

Marr Rugby 2nd XV match summary: With a number of players unavailable for a variety of reasons, coach Keith Dunsmuir was forced to field a much depleted squad, comprising only 17 players, and in addition make some positional changes for key positions. Jack Scott was switched from stand-off to scrumhalf whilst Ali Walker moved from centre to outside half.

Dalziel worked hard to try to disrupt Marr and prevent any fluency in the match. Marr’s squad patiently soaked up the pressure and finally managed to gain the initiative. Once they reached this position they never looked back as they rattled in eight tries to no response and gain a comprehensive victory.

Marr’s pack was in great form and the forwards provided an ideal attacking platform for the pacey backs and they in turn took as many opportunities as they could to add points to the board.

Marr Rugby 2nd XV man of the match – Ry McInnes

Marr Rugby 2nd XV scorers
Tries: Ritchie McNicol; Ali Waker (2); Robbie Hardie (2); Ry McInnes (2); Thomas Watkins
Conversions: Jack Scott (5)

Marr Rugby – next fixtures (Saturday 1 April 2017)
1s – Away v GHA (league)
2s – Home v Dumfries (league)