BT Premiership

MARR RUGBY 13

WATSONIANS 13

Pictures: Ken Ferguson

MORE than 500 spectators were entertained by a pulsating 80 minutes of rugby as Watsonians and Marr went toe to toe in the fourth round of this season’s Premiership.

Written off at the start of the season as the whipping boys, Marr’s players and coaches know well the challenge that they face and once again stepped up to the mark to secure vital league points.

Both sides benefited from the inclusion of two professional players from the draft and from Marr’s perspective it was great to welcome James Malcolm and Greg Peterson to play at Fullarton, especially wearing purple and gold.

Watsonians are laced with talent and experience, especially in the backs and during the second quarter of the first half gave a masterclass in offloading in the tackle to maintain momentum in attacking play.

After 10 minutes Watsonians started to get the edge on possession and opportunity. In 21 minutes Watsonians opened the scoring as Rory Hutton mesmerised everyone on and around the pitch with a mazy run that merits being in contention for try of the season. Five minutes later Marr suffered a setback as Ewan Bulger was yellow carded for his challenge at a lineout. Almost immediately Marr were punished as Watsonians opted for a kick to the corner. From the resulting play they won a short range scrum and the inevitable happened with a break on the narrow side allowing scrum half Willie Thomson to score in the corner.

Marr battled back and forced Watsonians to concede a series of penalties. Eventually one fell into kicking range and Colin Sturgeon, making his 100th appearance for Marr Rugby, duly converted to start the clawback. The half ended with Watsonians 10-3 ahead.

From the start of the second half Marr made it clear they weren’t there just to make up the numbers. Gregor Paxton replaced Dougie Steele at centre. Marr started to throw everything they had at Watsonians as they probed for an opening. Breenging runs followed and Watsonians were forced to defend but still showed the threat they posed in counterattack. As Marr tried to force the play errors crept in. Watsonians made the most of any opportunity and approaching the 50-minute mark extended the lead through a Andrew Chalmers. penalty. Marr immediately hit back and a great attack was only stymied by an illegal intervention and Colin Sturgeon slotted home the resulting penalty kick.

This set the scene for a final 30 minutes of end to end rugby.

Marr launched repeated attacks on Watsonians but found the maroon and white wall impenetrable. As the match drew to a close Marr pressure was rewarded with several penalties and eventually Kyle Whyte was sin-binned. If TMO’s were available at Fullarton or some dye mark was part of the try line whitewash, Greg Peterson’s effort would have been rewarded with his first try for Mar Rugby. As things happened it was his Warriors brother, James Malcolm, who was holding the ball to touch down as Marr’s pack forced their way over the line near to the corner. Into a strong wind Sturgeon landed his best kick of the season to add the conversion.

This set up a final five minutes of nail biting excitement.

However Watsonians' defence was unbreakable and posed a significant counterattack threat.

Watsonians and Marr will reflect on missed opportunities to complete promising moves and achieve the win.

Marr Rugby 1st XV Man of the match – Colin Sturgeon

BT Reserve West 2

MARR RUGBY 3s 26

ANNAN RFC 2s 8

MARR bounced back from last week's defeat to take five points from their match against Annan. The result sees the 3s leapfrog Annan in the table as they move up to fifth place.

Man-of-the-match: Mark Allison.

Marr Rugby 3rd XV scorers

Tries: Euan McGerty; Mark Allison; Stephen Beveridge, Andrew Mathieson

Conversions: Thomas Watkins (3)