BT Premiership MARR 31

GLASGOW HAWKS 15

By Stewart McConnell

Pictures: Ken Ferguson

TWO-try rookie Kaleem Barreto helped magnificent Marr overturn a 12-point deficit to snap a five-game losing streak.

The vital bonus point victory takes them two points clear of second bottom Boroughmuir and 12 ahead of basement team Hawick in their battle to ensure survival.

Craig Redpath's team showed great resilience and fighting qualities after conceding a try in less than 30 seconds and ran out both convincing and worthy winners.

They took a grip of the game late in the first half and never looked back.

The hosts got off to a disastrous start in 29 seconds when visiting captain Brendan McGroarty ran some 30 metres to score a try. However the conversion was missed.

Marr then spent the next five minutes camped in Hawks territory with Toby Buchanan twice forcing his way close to the goal-line and the were awarded a penalty for an infringement in eight minutes with Steele converting from 30 metres out.

However two minutes later Hawks were awarded a penalty when Marr kicked the ball forward through the ruck and Ross Thompson converted to make it 8-3 to the visitors.

Then in 17 minutes Kyle Rowe raced in and scored and Thompson easily nailed the conversion to make it 15-3, leaving the Troon side facing an uphill struggle.

Because Hawks collapsed the maul in 26 minutes Marr were awarded a free ball and Barreto made a blinding run from 20 metres before touching down to make it 15-8. Steele's aim was true with the conversion to move the home side within five points.

A stunning 30 metre run from Scott Bickerstaff took Marr deep into Hawks' territory.

Fraser Hastie of Hawks was yellow-carded for illegally halting a drive in 32 minutes and Marr capitalised three minutes later when Sam Vunisa set up Craig Kolarik to score under the post and make it 15-14. Steele added the extras with his boot to out Marr 17-15 in front and give them the advantage for the first time.

Marr blasted into a 22-15 lead when from kick-off Barreto went on a surging 20-metre run to dive down and score under the posts for his second try of the afternoon,

Scott Bickerstaff kicked the ball into touch deep in Hawks territory on the hour with the hosts controlling possession for the opening 20 minutes.

Marr failed to score despite a deep drive into Hawks territory in 65 minutes.

Conor Bickerstaff intercepted a poor pass and ran in to score from 20 metres with Steele nailing the conversion to make it 31-15 with less than five minutes remaining.

That's how it stayed as Marr enjoy a week off before heading to Tayside to face Dundee HSFP in the opening round of the BT Cup.

They then enjoy a two-week break before travelling to the Capital to face Heriot's on December 2.

MARR: Steele; S Bickerstaff, C Bickerstaff, Buchanan, Steven, Kolarik, Barreto, Farquhar, Rossi, Watt, Bulger, Miller, Pearce, Vunisa, Johnston. Replacements: Adair, Nisbet, Jackson, Freydell, Mill.

GLASGOW HAWKS: Couper; Rowe, McGroarty, Milne, Yawayawa, Thompson; Boyer, Findlay, Stewart, Strain, Kirkland, Hastie, Leckey, Eaglesham, Kerr. Replacements: Cairncross, Skinner, Beattie, Brims, Harrison.

BT West Reserve League Two

MARR RUGBY 3s 71

KENZIE RFC 2s 7

THE 3s scorching in 11 tries as they swept aside the visitors. while in the 1s match Conor Bickerstaff’s interception and sprint in from 45 metres secured the important bonus point try as they put four past Glasgow Hawks.

Marr Rugby 3rd XV man of the match: Shaun Fallows

Marr Rugby 3rd XV scorers

Tries: Chris Myers (2); Shaun Fallows (3); John Calder; Gordon Anderson; Andrew Dunlop; Andrew Mathieson; David Moffat and Paul Bray

Conversions: Thomas Watkins (7) and Andrew Dunlop (1).