Tennent’s National League One

CARTHA QUEENS PARK RFC 15

MARR RUGBY 29

MARR Rugby’s 1st XV ended the first half of the season with an important bonus point win away against Cartha to maintain their challenge at the top of NL1.

Along the way they scored five tries and conceded just two, with most points being scored in the first half. Marr started well with scrum dominance leading to their first score after they won a scrum against the head and after several phases of recycled play Kris Kirk battered his way home from short range.

Shortly after this Marr’s game-plan suffered a setback after an accidental clash of heads left Marr’s Ben Johnston and Ross Miller having to retire injured.

Cartha capitalised on the disruption with an equalising score. Just into the second quarter, Marr’s dominance at the scrum provided a perfect platform for an attack that ended with Scott Bickerstaff being able to score after a trademark powerful break. Cartha replied with a penalty conversion before Marr strongly closed off the first half with two further tries. Richard Dalgleish was a key figure in both.

For the first he completed a phase of attacks to score after Marr won a lineout to break through what had been a stubborn defence. Marr continued to enjoy an extended period of dominance and closed the first half with a try scored by Conor Bickerstaff who ran on to and collected a chip through from Richard Dalgleish.

The second half was a tousy affair as both sides struggled to get any real continuity and effectively the defences cancelled each other out. It was only in the closing stages that the scoreboard finally ticked over. On seventy minutes Ollie Rossi broke clear to score Marr’s fifth try but it was Cartha who had the final say as they were awarded a penalty try following some determined phases of play in the closing stages of the match.

Marr Rugby 1st XV man of the match - Ollie Rossi (sponsored by Marco Rossi).

Scorers

Tries: Kris Kirk; Scott Bickerstaff; Conor Bickerstaff; Richard Dalgleish and Ollie Rossi.

Conversions: Liam McLoughlin (2)

Meanwhile in Tennent's Reserve League West One, Marr 3s went down 64-14 at home to GHK RFC.

Marr Rugby next fixtures

Friday, November 16

2s - Home v Ayr RFC (7pm at College Playing Fields)

Saturday, November 17

1s - Away v Dundee High Rugby

3s - Home v GHA RFC