MARR Rugby 1st XV arrived at Myreside for a top-of-the-table National League One clash with Watssonians on Saturday, intent on improving on last year's heavy defeat in the Capital.

Due to player unavailability Marr’s opening line-up saw Will Farquhar shifting from his usual front row berth to cover the loose head position and recent addition to the squad Pieter Killian start. Both held their own in the scrum.

Towards the end of the first quarter Marr’s pressure gained a penalty and Colin Sturgeon opened the scoring.

After half a hour of intense a play, Watsonians struck back with an opening converted try. This came from a training ground move played to good effect as winger Scott McLeod sliced through a gap in Marr’s defence. Marr tried to regroup and Paul Burke, Ollie Rossi and Ewan Bulger, making his debut for Marr’s 1st XV, were brought on from the replacements bench. But before Marr’s fresh legs managed to settle in, Watsonians struck home with a second converted try to increase the gap.

Marr secured possession from the restart and took play into the Watsonians 22 metre area. Efforts to bludgeon a way to the line were met with equally strong resistance.y Marr won a penalty for their efforts but were unable to convert.

The visitors were reduced to 14 men after Ben Johnston was yellow-carded following a tackle. At the set-piece scrum and line-out Marr’s pack were more than holing their own. Angus Johnston (sponsored by A1 Skips) was in in top pillaging form to repeatedly steal Watsonians line-out put in.

Marr continued to apply pressure during the second half’s opening exchanges. Watsonians managed to soak this up and establish an impenetrable barrier just in front of their line. As Marr pressed forward they were stung by a quick counter-attack that took play from one end to the other and led to Watsonians third try to establish a 26-3 lead.

During the final half hour, there was a try flurry, with seven scored. Marr went on to score five.

The opener was one of two from Stephen Adair as he smashed over from five metres out with a quick tap and go following a penalty. This was followed by his second then one apiece from Angus Johnston, Conor Bickerstaff and Scott Bickerstaff. However in between the home side added a further two and this denied Marr a bonus point.

For Marr it was a mixture, the frustration of lapses that created this size of gap but the satisfaction of a much-improved performance against the capital’s top side and a spirited fightback to take a potentially vital point from the game.

Marr Rugby man of the match- Peter Killian (sponsored by Mono Consultants).

THE 2nd XV lost 31-17 at Greenock.

Marr 1st XV on Saturday host Stewart's Melville, ko 1.30pm.