Tennent’s National League One

MARR RUGBY 57

GALA 8

By Stewart McConnell

MAGNIFICENT Marr on on Easter Saturday sealed their Premiership return in stunning style with this stunning nine-try blitz against a borders team who missed out on promotion. They totally dominated against a Gala outfit who are a poor shadow of their title-winning teams of the past. The hosts took the bull by the horns from the off and surged into the lead in the opening minute when following a superb drive Ollie Rossi raced in to score on the left. Colin Sturgeon added the conversion to make it 7-0. The visitors were awarded a penalty in 15 minutes and Dean Keddie converted.

Gala launched forward a penalty deep into Marr territory in 18 minutes. However the hosts won it back. And they capitalised when Ewan Bulger went on a blinding 40-yard run before touching down although Sturgeon missed the conversion.

Home skipper Conor Bickerstaff was yellow-carded for a tackle in 25 minutes. Fourteen-man Marr blasted into a 17-3 lead when a great sweeping move saw William Farquhar tee up Richard Dalgleish to bulldoze over the line.

Dalgleish powered in for a great touchdown to make it 22-3 on half-time, with Sturgeon nailing the conversion. Farquhar bundled over the line seven minutes after the break and Sturgeon added the extras.

Findlay Hazel raced to score between the posts a minute later with Sturgeon bagging the conversion. Scott Bickerstaff made a 20-yard run for a try in 52 minutes with Sturgeon converting.

John Frew pulled a try back in 54 minutes.

Ross Miller touched down to in 63 minutes and Sturgeon converted. Conor Bickerstaff surged in to score his second touchdown in 64 minutes.