BT National League One

JED-FOREST RFC 41

MARR RUGBY 26

MARR Rugby’s 1st XV’s away trip to Riverside Park brought home an important try bonus point and a salutary lesson about the need to be fully alert and in top defensive form for the full eighty minutes.

In the opening quarter of the first half they were punished as they failed to deal with turnover ball, quick counter-attacks and cleverly executed and perfectly weighted chip kicks that broke the defensive lines and allowed Jed-Forest’s pacey backs, in particular former Scotland 7s stars Lewis and Gregor Young to score some great individual tries.

The first five started well but Marr quickly realised that unlocking Jed-Forest’s defence was going to be a tough challenge.

In eight minutes Lewis Young followed his own chip kick from halfway to hack ahead twice before collecting the ball and completing a great individual effort. A penalty kick four minutes later extended the lead.

On the quarter hour Marr Colin Sturgeon fed Ben Johnston whose ran metres before the cover tacklers caught him.

Five minutes later Jed-Forest approached halfway and another chip kick ahead landed in no-man’s land behind Marr’s primary defensive line. Harkness collected the ball and unleashed Young who raced in to score/

Marr responded and within five minute opened their account with a try in the corner from Scott Bickerstaff and Colin Sturgeon converted.

Just before half-time’s Marr’s perseverance was finally rewarded with two tries. Conor Bickerstaff (sponsored by CCL Logistics) launched a perfectly weighted chip into the pocket behind the home defence and with electric pace caught his kick, committed a tackler and offloaded to Rory McGee who ran in from 65 metres. The conversion was added. Just before half-time Marr scored again and secured the lead. The score came off a Marr attacking scrum 20 metres out. Grant Baird (sponsored by Colin Adam) who unleashed Scott Bickerstaff to powered his way through to score.

Just after the break Jed scored in the corner. Two minutes later Young used his pace to create a hole and race home to score.

Five minutes later Marr got a golden opportunity as Jed were reduced to 14 men after Grant was yellow-carded but failed to capitalise

With 20 minutes remaining Marr’s efforts brought them the bonus point try as off an attacking scrum Stuart Howie sliced through from midfield to race 25 metres and score.

In the remaining time as Marr were again punished by Jed-Forest’s pacey backs who relished the opportunities to launch counter-attacks from defensive turnovers. Two tries were added to give Jed-Forest a comfortable victory.

Marr’s single point reward from their efforts was well-deserved.

Marr man of the match: Ben Johnston (sponsored by Jimmy Armour)

MARR 3rd XV found the going tough against a strong Clydebank side, losing 22-14.

Marr enjoyed decent periods of possession but failed to find a way through a stodgy defence.

Marr Rugby 3rd XV man of the match: Robbie Stevenson.