Marr Rugby Club celebrate title at the double

Apr 15 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

MARVELLOUS Marr Rugby Club are celebrating a dream double after the 1st XV crushed Hawick Linden 91-0 to win National League Division Three.

And with the 2nd XV winning their league, it completes a glory season for the Fullarton club.

A devastating display of 13 tries, 10 conversions and two penalties swept Marr to victory.

The season has been a great tribute to the club and, in particular, to their coach Craig Redpath, who has done a fantastic job of building the playing side, motivating the players, improving their skills, game management and giving them the belief and determination to succeed.

This is Craig's first league title win as a coach having tasted success regularly as a player.

A spokesman said: “Craig and the players have built this league win over the last two seasons and the hopes are that they will continue on this path for some time to come.”

Marr raced two tries ahead inside eight minutes from Brett Box and Sean Reddox.

The next score was Rory McGee's penalty which was from about half way and into the wind. The sun was clearly shining on Marr as the ball struck the crossbar and bounced over.

After a scoreless 15 minutes, Marr re-asserted their dominance and the last ten minutes of the first half saw three tries and a penalty score.

McGee claimed his second penalty with another long range effort. From the restart Hawick kicked the ball into touch and set Marr up with a perfect attacking position for quick ball to be fed out to Scott Bickerstaff who made the most of the space offered to run in from 50 metres.

Marr's forwards were in no mood to let anything go and at a scrum they won a turnover and from this Kris Kirk crashed over for try four and the bonus point.

The final score of the half was another one that started in the middle of Marr's half after Box stole the ball from a Hawick throw-in and quick recycling left it in Andrew Watson's hands.

Andrew set off like an Exocet missile and screamed home from 60 metres to touch down. This clearly whet his appetite as he went on to score four more to extend his lead as Marr's top try machine for yet another season. McGee converted.

The second half started where the first had left off with Box winning another lineout near halfway and this time the ball was fed to Don Morrison who rampaged through Hawick's midfield defence, ably supported by Craig Steele and the way was cleared for an offload to Watson to finish the final quarter of the pitch.

Hawick's day went from bad to worse as another mistake at the restart led to a Marr scrum on halfway and yet another score with Scott Bickerstaff touching down.

On came Fraser Grant, Chris Galloway and Gregor Stevenson. Hawick valiantly tried to get into the game but time after time Marr's defence was found to be solid and unyielding.

Marr pounced on any opportunity to counterattack and scored five further tries with Watson completing his day with five, Connnor Bickerstaff and Craig Steele joining the score sheet and Box impersonating Inspector Gadget's extendable arms to claim his second.

The final score was yet another that was started deep in Marr's half. McGee took a quick tap, fed the ball to Connor Bickerstaff who threaded a grubber kick through the defence.

Some of Marr's runners found progress through the line of blue shirts difficult but Gary Thomson made a perfect run to scoop the ball up and take play into Hawick's 22 before being brought down. He was able to make a great offload to Craig Steele who had made a super supporting run and he completed the move to touch down.

The final whistle brought relief to Hawick who had the misfortune of finding Marr in a merciless mood and devastating form.