Marr edge closer to crucial home play- off
Pic: Ken Ferguson
MARR ........................................................ 12 GLASGOW HAWKS ................................ 10
Marr gained a vital win in the face of Storm Jorge as their bid for Premiership glory continues.
With Fullarton unplayable, the game was switched to the College playing fields.
And 300 hardy souls were rewarded on the touchline as they braved the elements.
Playing into the gale force wind, Marr immediately tried to get the first advantage.
However they found Hawks, who are fighting for league survival, in no mood to roll over.
And, it was the visitors who opened the scoring.
With 10 minutes on the clock they made a rare sortie into Marr territory and from a scrum they managed to spread the ball wide and their pacey backs showed great handling skills as they left Marr’s defence looking as though they were stuck in quick sand.
With the wind behind the extra points from the conversion was a simple task.
The sting spurred Marr on to increase their already fast tempo.
Leading from the front, Marr’s captain Conor Bickerstaff made some devastating runs to challenge and test the Hawks’ defence.
Within five minutes Marr managed to level the score as they took play close to Hawks’ line and as they hammered home close range attacks the Hawks’ defence was sucked in and spreading the ball wide Marr’s backs executed a training ground play that ended with Greg Montgomery crossing to score near the corner.
One of the magic moments of the season followed as Gregor Paxton lined up the conversion attempt.
Kicking from out wide and into the teeth of the wind, any betting person would have given significant odds for a kick that actually reached the posts never mind cross the crossbar.
But Paxton launched his kick with the ball perfectly dissecting the uprights to level the score.
Hawks gained several penalties from their persistence and just before half time opted to take a pot at goal and the successful conversion gave them a three point lead to end the first half.
Now playing with the wind behind them Marr spent most of the second half laying siege on Hawks try line but gained little to show for their effort as Hawks defended as you would expect from a side trying to fight for their league survival.
But Marr finally managed to get their breakthrough and gain the lead as Ollie Rossi bludgeoned his way to the try line and score near to the corner.
As the final play was called Marr were yet again in possession close to Hawks’ line but sensibly captain Conor Bickerstaff elected to kick the ball into touch and bring the match to an end.
As the season heads for its finale, results from elsewhere left Selkirk securing the final top four spot for the end of season play- offs.
With Marr and Hawick having three matches still to play, they and Currie are still neck and neck for getting the all- important home advantage in the play- offs.
This will be the reward that the sides placed first and second in the league get at the end of the scheduled fixtures.
With three matches remaining Marr hold a slender two point advantage over Currie in second spot and a nine point cushion over Hawick.
It’s all to play for and next up for Marr is the long haul to Rubislaw to play a resurgent Aberdeen Grammar.