BT Premiership

GLASGOW HAWKS 41

MARR RUGBY 28

MARR Rugby’s introduction to the top tier of Scottish club rugby had an added edge, with the match held at Scotstoun, the home base of Glasgow Warriors and played against a Hawks side more familiar with the artificial playing surface and augmented by two Glasgow Warrior professional players.

The club's international recognition continues to grow with new supporter Ingvar Ritzen flying in from Stockholm to take in the match.

Electrifyingly-paced Scotland 7s player George Horne and strong running centre Paddy Kelly’s inclusion added further mettle to an already strong Hawks back line.

Marr supporters turned out in great numbers and formed the overwhelming majority of the 400-strong crowd.

Hawks quickly took the offensive and a dominant set of forwards posed significant question of Marr’s pack, especially in the set piece scrum. Under pressure Marr conceded penalties and George Horne applied his sevens skills with quick tap and go’s to gain huge amounts of territory as Marr tried to organise their defensive lines.

The hosts opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a simple penalty shot at goal. Following the restart Marr’s forwards stepped up a gear. The result was turnover possession that led to the opening try scored in the corner by talisman Will Farquhar, who crossed the line after a series of short range pick and go’s. Colin Sturgeon added the extra points.

The hosts responded with a sustained period of pressure play that lasted 10 minutes which eventually saw the deadlock broken by Horne who once again used a quick tap and go to split Marr’s defensive line open and link with Paddy Kelly to create a gap and allow Stephen Leckey to stroll in.

Within five minutes Marr levelled after Hawks illegally disrupted another attacking move.

As Marr tried to catch breath Hawks delivered a premiership lesson. Within two minutes of the restart Horne was once again the catalyst of an attacking move that ended with pacey winger Sam Yawayawa scoring a converted try. Five minutes later Hawks added to their tally after their pack’s dominance at the scrum earned the first of two penalty tries.

Marr’s players then showed they were not ready to lie down. Man-of-the-match Ross Miller, a former Hawk, led the fightback and just before half-time the efforts were rewarded with a try which he scored and Colin Sturgeon converted, making it 24-17.

In the second half Hawks added a quick try. After 10 minutes play Marr threatened but had to make to do with six points from two penalty kicks. After the second infringement Marr received a potential boost as Horne was yellow-carded for his efforts at the breakdown. Ironically the effect of this was to see Hawks play as though they had the extra man and their pressure gained a further three points from a converted penalty.

With five minutes remaining Marr added their third try. Connor Bickerstaff delivered n outrageous show and go to carve open a gap in Hawks defence before offloading to brother Scott Bickerstaff to complete the attack with a trademark run in from 40 metres.

This closed the gap to six points. As Marr tried to force a final try they lost possession and were punished. Hawks won turnover ball and quickly took play to the other end. With the last play they provided the hammer-blow as once again they were awarded a penalty try following another push-over scrum from the five-metre line.

BT Reserve National League Two

MARR RUGBY 48

GHA 19

IN their first outing of the season in NL2, Marr Rugby’s 2nd XV dominated from start to finish. Lewd by captain Josh Evans (sponsored by TR Bollyman) Marr quickly put the gauntlet down to GHA and continued in rampant form.

Along the way they scored eight tries with a number of players showing that they are ready and able to step up as and when required. Gregor Paxton excelled and his performance will again provide head coach Craig Redpath with some additional opportunities for his senior playing squad.

Fixtures, Saturday, September 9, ko 3pm, 1s – home v Heriot’s (league); 2s – away v Biggar (league); 3s – away v Kilmarnock 2s (league)