BT National League One

FALKIRK RFC 6

MARR RUGBY 24

A MAJOR milestone was celebrated by Kyle Vallance, who made his 100th appearance for the top team as they overcame a resilient Falkirk side.

For big chunks of the match Falkirk had a significant edge in set-piece play at scrum and line out and their defensive work thwarted Marr's attempts to get into any decent attacking rhythm. They also posed some big questions of Marr's defence, but this held firm with the try-line protected and restricting Falkirk to two converted penalties.

In the first quarter Falkirk enjoyed most of the territory and possession.

Marr’s pack was placed under real pressure at the scrum and conceded a series of penalties. A couple of these were within usual kickable range for Liam Brimms but fortunately for Marr he managed to convert only one of his attempts at goal. Just before the half hour Marr enjoyed a rare foray into Falkirk territory and as they threatened to cut open the defence they were stopped by an illegal challenge. Colin Sturgeon slotted the resultant penalty kick to level the score.

From the restart Marr won possession and immediately placed Falkirk under real pressure. They camped near to the try line and after about five minutes of power play gained a real advantage as Falkirk were force to repeatedly infringe to disrupt the attacks. In the process they lost a player to a yellow card. From the resulting penalty, Sturgeon barged in from close range for a converted try. Falkirk then gained another three points from a penalty.

Just before half-time Marr stretched their lead with another forwards led try. A series of close range driving mauls forced further Falkirk penalties and eventually led to a mass pile up of bodies over the line. In the mess, the referee was well placed and saw that Stephen Adair had touched the ball down on the line.

At the start of the second half Marr got some continuity in play and started to stretch Falkirk’s defence. Conor Bickerstaff added a third try which was converted by Sturgeon. As Marr added to the pressure, Falkirk’s indiscipline resulted in another yellow card – this time ex-Scotland internationalist Craig Hamilton was given a breather.

To this point he had been at the core of Falkirk’s defensive play that was so successful in neutralising Marr. As the home fans shuddered and the visitors savoured the prospect of the consequences of the advantage, few would have anticipated Falkirk’s riposte. For the 10 minutes they played as though they had a two-man advantage and Marr were unable to find any gaps.

Back to full strength Falkirk once again exerted pressure on Marr’s scrum and gained a yellow-card advantage. Andrew Acton was sin-binned to give Falkirk a significant advantage. They failed to capitalise as Marr’s 14 players tackled like demons and prevented any home advantage.

In the closing stages Marr tried valiantly to secure the try bonus point but were thwarted by a stubborn defence.

Man-of the-match: Ben Johnston.

BT Reserve West One

GHA LIONS 5

MARR RUGBY 46

AFTER the enforced break, Marr Rugby’s 2nd XV picked up from where they left off and secured another vital bonus point win that helped them move towards their season’s goal. The match included another successful 80 minutes of rehabilitation from injury for Fraser Grant.

Marr’s 2nd XV are moving to the closing stages/ They remain in pole position, but with Cartha closely chasing know what they need to do to achieve their target.

Man -of the match: Fraser Grant.

Fixtures, Saturday February 18 ko 3pm: 1s – Home v Aberdeen Grammar (league); 2s – Away v Cartha QP (league); 3s – Away v Hamilton (Bentlaigh Bulls) (league).