Marr Rugby U13 were welcomed to Cartha with excellent weather and playing surface. The respective coaches agreed to play a 13-aside game in lieu of the number of players available. In preparation for the 15 a side game, also agreed to lifting at the line-outs which would be uncontested to support the development of each respective teams line-outs.

The game began, and was obvious to both sets of coaches and supporters to be a closely contested game. The early exchanges were between both teams 22 and some resolute tackling and well drilled defensive lines was pleasing as per the chatter from the sidelines. Cartha just outside the Marr 22 with a scrum won, switched and attacked the Marr blindside and were stopped by an excellent tackle by the Marr (15). Cartha quickly recycled the ball at the breakdown and passed through their back line and some stout defending by the Marr backline pushed Cartha backwards. The Cartha (13) ripped the ball from his own team mate and with a nice step made towards the line, and stopped however managed to offload on to the Cartha wing to score the first try of the game. Conversion missed Cartha (3) Marr (0)

The Marr captain took the opportunity behind the posts to refocus team expectations and morale. The encouragement and plan was understood and immediate with Marr forward (BP) bulldozing and stepping his way through several defenders. Unfortunately, following several committed phases of play, with Marr forward (RI) progressing towards the line certain to score. The referee halted play to award Marr a penalty for an earlier infringement. The Scrum was successfully won and passed to the Marr back (LS) who beat several defenders flying down the touchline but stopped by a fine tackle by the Cartha (15). The Cartha Line-out was well taken and delivered to the Cartha Backline who moved the ball well under great line speed pressure from Marr. The ball was recycled well on several occasions, and Cartha were making progress in the face of some dedicated defence by Marr. The ball was then successfully turned over by the Marr forwards and went on a bruising pursuit of an equaliser. Cartha struggling to cope with the offloads and tempo, infringed at the breakdown from the side, Marr were subsequently awarded a penalty and quick thinking by the Marr (9)-(HH) & (10)-(AR) from the back of the Scrum to go blind and offloaded by (9) to (10) went close to the line but tackled had great vision to pop to the oncoming forward (DT) to power over the line. Conversion missed Cartha (3) Marr (3)

The game was being played in a competitive manner with a dogged approach to defending at halfway by Marr following the restart. The next breakdown was identified by the Marr Forward (BP) as an opportunity to intercept the pass from the breakdown and progress to the tryline, unfortunately he was judged to have been offside, which was unlucky. Cartha had the scrum and moments later Marr Forward (BP) intercepted the pass, again very unlucky. Cartha were galvanising as a team and making progress through some indiscipline by Marr at the breakdown. This lead to a scrum on the Marr 22 and Cartha determined to take the lead before half time deployed their backline and with some quick hands felt they had scored, only for some excellent defending by Marr forward (RI) to get himself under the ball to prevent a score. Marr won the subsequent scrum and under great pressure by Cartha Marr (10)-(AR) kicked the ball out for half time.

Half time Cartha (3) Marr (3)

The second half began with the same commitment and desire by both teams to play rugby. The Marr Forward (BP) from the restart was in a ruthless mood bulldozing and stepping through several defenders. Unfortunately the grace and progress of his assault up the pitch was not matched by Marr players running supporting lines. This continued for the next 10 minutes with Marr Backs (JH) (HH) (LS) (FD) (RC) on separate occasions making several breaks to be halted by Cartha defending or occasional forward pass. Marr determined with forward (AK) pushing forward broke to set up a breakdown on the Cartha 5m unfortunately turned over but Cartha bravely playing the ball wide under pressure by Marr lead, to Marr (13)-(FD) intercepting the pass to score near the posts.

Conversion successful Cartha (3) Marr (7)

The second half was coming to a close, and Cartha now began their own assault on the Marr 22 and closer! There were several resets of the scrum on the Marr 22, Marr kicked the ball to clear their lines, Cartha Full Back fielded well and broke several tackles, and looked certain to score in the corner, however Marr (12) completed an outstanding tackle to prevent the score and take Cartha full back into touch. The game was restarted with a scrum in Marr's favour, with a torpedo of a clearing kick by Marr (10)-(AR) Cartha then delivered wave after wave without penetrating a solid Marr defensive commitment to secure the win. The ball was cleared again by another Marr (10)-(AR) torpedo, with some great defensive line speed, encouraged the Cartha back to chip over into the Marr Full backs hands to kick the ball out and secure the win.

A good game by both teams and enjoyed by the coaches and supporters of both teams, Marr Rugby would like to extend our gratitude to Cartha for the invite and hospitality after the fixture.

FULL TIME Cartha QP (3) Marr Rugby U13 (7)
Marr Rugby U13 Man of the Match (BP)