BT Premiership

STIRLING COUNTY 40

MARR RUGBY 29

BATTLING Marr Rugby’s secured an important try bonus point as reward for their try scoring efforts, crossing the line five times, but it wasn’t enough as the hosts soaked up early and late pressure and hit back to win

The last minute withdrawal of Stephen Adair meant that Ollie Rossi was promoted from the bench where we was partnered by Will Farquhar and Fraser Watt who was also promoted to the starting line-up in place of Greg Jackson who was carrying a niggling injury but needed as cover for hooker/prop. Callum Craig was also added to the bench.

Playing into a strong wind Marr got off to a fast and furious start. Early possession took play close to the home try line but an error in a promising position conceded a penalty. Stirling tried to play out of defence but made an uncharacteristic handling error that Marr’s backs pounced on to force the defence to knock the ball into touch midway in their two-metre area. From the attacking lineout Marr’s pack mauled its way to the line and as it neared the whitewash, Rossi spotted a gap and peeled off to score an unconverted try.

Stirling immediately replied with a converted try scored by winger Logan Trotter whose elusive running off the back of a rolling maul gave notice of the real danger posed by Stirling’s back line.

The remaining 10 minutes of the first quarter was evenly matched before a slip by Marr lost possession and a quick counter-attack from Stirling saw the ball spread wide and Kerr Gossman, one of their other international class 7s specialists, danced his way through tackle to score in the corner. For the remainder of the half, Marr started enjoying good phases of possession but repeatedly lost lo possession in threatening and promising positions.

Marr’s persistence and perseverance paid off as just before half time one of Stirling’s pro player’s second row Callum Hunter-Hill was given a ten minute rest for disruptive play at the breakdown as he took out a Marr player off the ball. Taking advantage Marr added an unconverted try this one from Mackenzie Pearce who peeled off a maul and smashed his way through from 15 metres and despite some strong defence managed to extend his reach to touch the ball onto the line.

In the opening exchanges of the second half Stirling started to really pressure Marr’s defence. Within five minutes they were hammering at Marr’s line and Craig Kolarik was yellow-carded for illegally interfering in the ruck. As he exited Hunter-Hill returned. Stirling opted for the scrum and after a penalty reset they referee awarded a penalty try. Marr responded well and started playing more aggressively and adventurously while a man down. Two tries followed in quick succession. Tom Steven was released at pace down his wing, taking on and beating the defence on the outside. This was followed by a great team try combining forwards and backs. Conor Bickerstaff won possession inside Marr’s half and took off at speed, splitting open Stirling’s defence. As he was closed down and tackled he offloaded to Kaleem Barreto, who continued the break racing to the try line only to be stepped about 10 metres out.

With bodies flying in to breakdowns from all sides Scott Bickerstaff came in off his wing to act as auxiliary scrum half and successful took a route one approach from five metres out. Dougie Steele converted both tries to give Marr the lead.

In the final quarter Stirling regained the lead. Peter Jericevich directed the fightback. His players responded well and added three tries to take a comfortable lead. Marr kept battling and were rewarded with a consolation score at the end when Will Farquhar claimed his fifth try for the season as he burrowed his way through a pile of defenders.

At the final whistle Marr’s disappointment was obvious but their efforts gained a vital bonus point try.

Marr Rugby 1st XV man of the match: Kaleem Barreto.

eanwhile, at Fullarton Marr Rugby’s 2nd XV blew away Boroughmuir, defeating them 68-0 in National League One and in West Reserve League Two Marr defeated Ardrossan Accies 41-21 away.