Second half blitz sees off Grammar

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR .................... 17 MARR .................................................... 52

Marr Rugby’s three senior XV’s enjoyed success, collectively hitting 141 points while conceding only 41, to remain on course for end of season targets.

At Rubislaw, in a see- saw 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, outpacing the scramble defence.

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.

This time, though, as Dalgleish got the ball he 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 they added a try to close the gap to two points.

On the half hour mark Tom Steven ( left), celebrating his 50th 1st XV appearance, marked the day with a try which came from one of his trademark blistering line breaks where he managed to swat off defenders like flies as he raced home from 25 metres.

Just before half time Grammar once again closed the gap with their second try which came off some individual brilliance by Craig Shepherd as he spoiled a promising Marr attack when deep in Grammar’s half he intercepted a loose pass and raced 70 metres to score. This left the half time score 17– 19 in Marr’s favour.

The half time chat and direction from the coaching team to Marr’s players was brief but direct.

Whatever was said and reflected on worked as Marr delivered a dominant second half performance that saw the score move from 17– 19 to end 17– 52.

Five tries were included in 35 unanswered points as Marr increased their tempo and were relentless, pinning Grammar down in their own half.

Only some determined defence from the home side prevented an even greater winning margin.

Benedict Grant was immense as he repeatedly led assaults on Grammar’s defence, scoring three tries in the process.

This is the level of performance Marr need to repeat over the remaining matches, starting on Saturday when they face Hawick.