BT National League One

MARR 23

STEWART's MELVILLE 15

MARR Rugby’s 1st XV squad emerged winners after a close fought contest against a strong and determined Stewart’s Melville side whose performance belies their results so far this season and league position.

Stewart’s Melville opened the scoring after fifteen minutes with a penalty from Mike Hanning. Marr immediately bounced back and took play deep into the visitors 22 metre area.

After several promising phases of play and the try line in sight Stewart’s Melville infringed and were penalised. Colin Sturgeon slotted home the penalty to level the score. Five minutes later Marr were once again camped close to Stewart’s Melville’s try line and their pressure gained several penalties. With no obvious way through a packed defence, Marr opted to kick at goal and Colin Sturgeon extended the lead.

As Marr appeared to be gaining the upper hand Stewart’s Melville struck following some speculative field kicking from the home side. A pacey counter-attack from just inside their own half saw Stewart’s Melville tear a hole in Marr’s midfield defence. The move was completed with winger Sean Murchie touching down for a try near to the posts. Marr contested the conversion and Johnny McClung managed to block a close range kick.

Marr found themselves under pressure in the scrum as Stewart’s Melville’s experienced front row dominated the set piece. The pressure led to several penalties being conceded. These repeated infringements ended up with a yellow card for Paul Burke, reducing Marr to 14 players.

From the start of the second half Marr increased the pressure on Stewart’s Melville’s try line. William Farquhar was in great form and took play close to the try line before he was finally pulled down. Marr quickly recycled and Andy Kelly barged through from close range to touch down and score a converted try.

Four minutes later Colin Sturgeon added another three points from a penalty kick.

As play entered the start of the final quarter Marr took a scrum against the head. Man-of -the match Ben Johnston picked up at eight and made about 30 metres in a storming run and as the cover defence closed him down he offloaded perfectly to his brother Angus who was in close support. Angus faced two defenders but his power and pace was enough to burst the initial tackle and carry over the line the desperate last ditch tackler.

Stewart's Melville closed the gap to eight points. However despite again being reduced to 14 men after Andy Kelly was yellow carded Marr’s defence rose to the challenge to win.

Marr Rugby man of the match – Ben Johnston (sponsored by Professor Sir James Armour)..

MEANWHILE he Marr 2nd XV went own 45-3 to Stewart's Melville in a BT Reserve League National Two match.

The Troon side fielded one of their strongest squads so far, hoping it would give the visitors a stiff challenge. However, it was a difficult day.

Marr camped in Stewart’s Melville’s 22 for 20 minutes. Unable to capitalise the pressure into points, Marr lost possession and the visitors against the run of play slipped through a soft defence to score their first try. Minutes later, they added a second. This boosted Stewart Melville’s confidence and they began to find holes in the defence and physically dominated the Marr pack.

Unfortunately, late on in the first half, Murray Beckwith, making his debut for Marr was injured and had to leave the field with a dislocated shoulder. This in addition to basic errors constantly being made by Marr gave the visitors added momentum.

Marr Rugby 2nd XV man of the match – Romain Jaurou.