Marr Rugby Club fall to leaders

Oct 30 2009 by Mike Wilson

TOO many mistakes and not enough decisiveness cost second top Marr when they lost 16-8 away to National Division Three leaders Aberdeenshire.

Marr went into the match on the back of a three game unbeaten run while Aberdeenshire saw their good form end with defeats by Forrester and GHK.

Andrew Bate and Andrew Gault returned to the back line but the forwards were still without Fraser Ferguson in the front row, meaning veteran prop Stuart Evans returned.

In driving rain, Aberdeen registered the only points of the first half as their centre picked a good line and breached the Marr defence before moving the ball wide before the try was scored in the corner.

The second half saw Marr strike with an penalty from Rory McGee but the Dons increased their lead firstly through another try and then a penalty taking the score to 13-3.

Marr laid siege to the Aberdeenshire line, scrum half Bate popped the ball to hooker Stuart Millar who set up another series of quick rucks before the ball was moved wide to winger Grant Currie who scored in the corner. That took the score to 13-8 and brought Marr within touching distance of a losing bonus point.

Marr were to be thwarted though as with just seconds remaining they gave away a kickable penalty which Aberdeenshire kicked to take the score to 16-8 and deny the visitors a valuable bonus point.

Frank McGerty won the the coaches man of the match award. In the pack, both Sandy Morrison and Don Morrison put in good displays.

Marr 2nd XV headed to East Kilbride looking to build on their win against West of Scotland but they were without several players, including Chris Myers last week’s man of the match.

Lee Mayne moved from full back to stand off, Sean Fallows moved into the centre alongside Steven Gilmore who was making his first start while Greg Hillier started at full back.

Despite a bright start, Marr trailed 10-0 at the interval. They tried to reassert themselves early in the second half but East Kilbride went on to score two tries, one of which was converted taking the final score to 22-0 and giving them a bonus point.

Marr will find few positives, However, Hillier had a solid game at full back kicking from hand well throughout. Marr's man of the match, however, came from the pack with Kurt Davies picking up the award.

On Saturday, the firsts entertain second bottom Forrester while the seconds host top of the league Glasgow Accies, both games kicking off at 2pm.