Tennent’s Premiership

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR RUGBY 17

MARR RUGBY 52

MIGHTY Marr maintained their impressive run with victory in the Granite City.

In a seesaw first half Grammar quickly opened the scoring with a successful penalty conversion before Marr immediately responded with a fine try scored by Richard Dalgleish.

Marr’s score came off an attacking lineout near to Grammar’s 22m area and as the initial close range phases were repelled standoff Colin Sturgeon spotted that the defence was being drawn in and the ball was spread wide to the wing and Dalgleish stormed in from 30 metres.

Gregor Paxton added the extra points, the first of his six successful conversions, to give Marr the lead. As the end of the first quarter approached Marr found themselves in a similar attacking position.

Dalgleish got the ball and threaded a perfect grubber kick behind the oncoming defence and won the race to touch down.

Grammar were not prepared to lie down and within five minutes added a try to close the gap to two points.

On the half hour, Tom Steven, celebrating his 50th 1st XV appearance, marked the day with a try which came from one of his trademark blistering line breaks.

Just before half-time Grammar again closed the gap with their second try as Craig Shepherd spoiled a promising Marr attack when deep in Grammar’s half he intercepted a loose pass and raced 70 metres to score.

Whatever was said at the break worked as Marr delivered a dominant second half performance.

Five tries were included in 35 unanswered points. Benedict Grant was immense as he repeatedly led assaults on Grammar’s defence, scoring three tries.

Marr took a grip and their cause was helped as Grammar conceded repeated penalties, including one where influential player Robin Cressford was sent to the naughty step following a deliberate knock on.

Marr showed no mercy to stop at this and rattled home two tries to add to Grammar’s misery. In Marr’s midfield Conor Bickerstaff terrorised the Grammar defence and eventually found enough of a gap to strike home and add to his tally for try scores.

Will Farquhar added Marr’s last as they ended the most comprehensive team performance over 40 minutes of the season.

In the second half Marr showed just how well they could play 15-man rugby. This is the level of performance they need to repeat over the remaining matches, starting on Saturday when they face Hawick. The 2nd XV defeated Hamilton 36-17 away and the 3rd XV won 53-7 at Strathaven.