MARR Rugby’s senior squads enjoyed a winning weekend with decisive wins in important matches.

The 1st XV faced a top of the table clash against Jed-Forest while Marr’s 2nd XV were in a relegation avoiding battle against Cartha Queens Park.

Victory for the top team strengthened their slender advantage in second place in the league race for the play-off spot but depending on results over the remaining three matches it’s possible that Jed-Forest or Dundee might still catch and overtake them.

Meanwhile Marr’s 2s scored five tries as they took maximum points from their match against Cartha QP to boost their survival hopes.

BT National League One

MARR RUGBY 27

JED-FOREST 15

FOR an hour, minutes the match was evenly balanced with only a score separating the sides in Marr’s favour.

Marr opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a converted penalty. Jed-Forest responded well and applied pressure to test Marr’s defence but could find no way through. On the half hour mark the lead was extended with a converted try scored after Marr enjoyed about five minutes of play in Jed-Forest’s 22m area. After a couple of penalties where they opted to kick to touch in the corner Marr forward’s pick and goes met stiff resistance before they finally managed to find a way through as Stuart Howie came in from his wing to act as an auxiliary centre and power through and score from 20 metres.

Jed-Forest quickly hit back with a well worked try scored by scrum half Danny Ritchie. Just before half time Jed conceded a penalty within kickable range and Colin Sturgeon added three points. Jed-Forest closed the first half’s scoring with a penalty to reduce the deficit to just three points,

Marr had the best of the opening exchanges of the second half and after 10 minutes, Ben Johnston charged into space and as he was tackled offloaded to his brother Angus who completed the try scoring move.

Jed fought back and after a good passage of play winger Robbie Shirra-Gibb scored in the corner to close the gap to five points.

As the final quarter opened Marr suffered a blow as Kris Kirk was sin binned to give Jed-Forest an extra man advantage. However Marr’s remaining players lifted their work rate to even higher levels and managed to outplay their opponents. Several good phases of play and possession took Marr close to Jed-Forest’s line before prop Fraser ‘Rhino’ Ferguson )

make the breakthrough taking an inside pass from Colin Sturgeon to slice through to score.

Returning to full strengths Marr’s stamina and fitness provided the vital edge as Jed-Forest fought to reduce the gap and seek at least a losing bonus point.

Marr’s defence was severely tested but some telling tackles won turnover ball to ease the pressure and provide counter-offensive chances as the clock ran down to the final whistle.

Marr Rugby man of the match – Ollie Rossi.

BT Reserve National League Two

MARR RUGBY 2s 36

CARTHA QP 2s 18

THIS was always going to be a fiercely fought contest as both teams were fighting for survival in this league.

In the first half both teams were very evenly matched with the half time score 17-13 to Marr. In the second half Marr’s stamina and fitness was the difference as they out-muscled and stretched their tiring opponents and were able to run in three further tries.

Marr Rugby 2s man of the match: Richie McNicol.

Marr Rugby 2s scorers

Tries: Richie McNicol (1), Ry McInnes (1), Kris Ferguson (1), Mark Allison (1), Chris Galloway (1) and Andrew Watson (1).

Conversions: Chris Galloway (2) and Andrew Watson (1).

Fixtures, Saturday March 19

1s home v Peebles (league); 2s Away v Biggar (league); 3s Home c Ardrossan 2s (league).

01 Ben Johnston is upended by Graham Robson of Jedforest.