MARR Rugby’s 1st and 2nd XV’s were in action on Saturday playing a pre-season match against their opposite numbers from Stewart’s Melville.

With a number of new faces making their debuts a healthy crowd of over 200 Marr supporters were on the touchlines to see the new players.

For the 2s match there was some added spice as this coming season Stewart’s Melville is in the same league and the sides will meet again on league business at Fullarton on 16 September. The visitors took an early lead scoring two tries before Marr got a better grip of the match and started a fightback. After the first quarter Marr recovered the deficit and continued to covert pressure into points before running out winners 35-14.

Meanwhile in the 1st XV match it was Marr that held the advantage on possession but during the first 40 minutes they struggled to get any real continuity of play and penetration against a tight and stubborn defence. In the first quarter Marr opened the scoring but Stewart’s Melville quickly struck back to score their first try.

Marr added a second before the first time out was called. Both sides coaches shuffled their sides and in the second period of play they were equally matched with the sides adding a single try apiece. Stewart’s Melville’s effort was a pleasure to the fans watching. A quick and slick passing move involving the full back line created sufficient space for them to outstretch Marr’s defence and score in the corner with the final scoring pass a deft back-flip.

After the second break Marr stepped up a gear and dominated the rest of the proceedings, scoring three further tries while conceding none.

Both matches were a reasonable workout and opportunity for players to start to get their heads back into match play and performance and blow off cobwebs.

With the start of the season fast approaching any game time is precious. Plans for the next fixtures on Saturday 19 August have taken a hit as arrangements for the 1s and 2s to travel to play Falkirk are affected by a late request from Falkirk to send a 2s only squad. This leaves Marr’s 1s seeking a replacement fixture. Meanwhile on the same day Marr Rugby’s 3rd XV get a pre-season run out against Cumnock 2s when they visit Fullarto