BT Premiership

BOROUGHMUIR RFC 34

MARR RUGBY 32

BATTLING Marr picked up two bonus points as they were edged out by Boroughmuir.

There were BT Premiership debuts for Fraser Grant, Kyle Vallance, Neil Wallace and Max Freydell and Grant capped his day with a try in the second half.

Injuries and other unavailability led to several changes in Marr’s starting line-up and bench. In the Marr pack notable absentees Angus Johnston. Ross Miller and Chris Nisbet were joined at the last minute by Kyle Hatherall. Grant, who had already won a place on the bench was promoted to the starting line-up while Kyle Vallance (sponsored by Finesse Marquees) was called into the squad to join the replacements.

In the opening exchanges Marr started brightly and their efforts were rewarded in eight minutes with a converted try. Greg Jackson crashed through from close range after Colin Sturgeon had made an incisive break to take play close to the Boroughmuir line. Boroughmuir replied with a converted penalty.

Just into the second quarter Boroughmuir kicked a penalty to the corner. From the resulting lineout a textbook training ground move was executed with precision and Johnny Matthews completed the play as he crossed the line to score the first of three tries.

In 25 minutes Marr equalised after a penalty converted by Sturgeon. Failing to deal effectively with the restart, Marr lost possession and immediately came under pressure from repeated phases of Boroughmuir attacking play. Eventually they created sufficient space for a score in the corner. Approaching half-time Boroughmuir further extended their lead with another try. Marr had been penalised for not releasing the ball in a tackle and in confident mood Boroughmuir opted not to take an easy three points but instead kick to the corner. The pack delivered the try under the posts after several close range charges were repelled.

For the second half, Colin Sturgeon moved to stand-off and Gregor Paxton was brought on at inside centre. An energetic start was rewarded with a penalty close to Boroughmuir’s line. Marr opted to take a scrum and from the phases they started to stretch the defence. After several close range attacks were beaten back Marr retained possession and the impetus. Fraser Grant perfectly angled his run in from 15 metres. Early in the second half Greg Jackson and James Malcolm were replaced due to injury and Neil Wallace and Stephen Adair came on.

Boroughmuir continued hitting back with probing runs from forwards and backs.

Eventually the pressure gained a penalty advantage and once again they opted to kick to the corner. From the lineout Johnny Matthews scored his third try

This sparked a good response from Marr who enjoyed 10 minutes in Boroughmuir’s half. During this time Sturgeon reduced the deficit with a penalty conversion and Will Farquhar burrowed his way under a pile of defenders to touch down for a try. The conversion levelled the score.

With five minutes remaining Boroughmuir added their final try and conversion. This set up a final flurry as Marr battled to regain possession.

In the dying minutes Marr won a penalty deep in their half. Replacement Max Freydell gained 60 metres from the kick to take the attacking lineout deep into Boroughmuir territory. Marr took play to Boroughmuir’s try line. Desperate defence followed and in the final play Marr pressure was rewarded with a try scored by Will Farquhar. Boroughmuir’s massed ranks charged the conversion attempt which was unsuccessful to leave them with a two-point advantage and their first win. Marr settled for a try and losing bonus points.

It was a creditable performance and Greg Peterson was a standout. Marr will re-group and deal with the growing list of injuries as they prepare to face Ayr.

BT Reserve National League Two

MARR RUGBY 27

HAWICK 30

MARR's 2nd XV narrowly lost out to league leaders Hawick in an evenly balanced contest. At half-time it was all square at 17-17.

The visitors' experience paid off in the second half as they took and then built the lead from a converted try and two penalties. They managed to close the game down as Marr desperately tried to close the gap. Two unconverted tries followed and Marr had to make do with a losing bonus point. Positives included welcome returns to 2nd XV action from Rory McGee and Kris Kirk.

BT Reserve West Two

DALZIEL 0

MARR RUGBY 54

DALZIEL were on the wrong end of a merciless assault from a rampant 3rd XV performance that netted eight tries.

With Thomas Watkins in fine kicking form they got a big point’s tally that helped take them to near the top of their league.