MARR 13 WATSONIANS 13

“A game of two halves” ended in an honourable draw, with the side playing into the wind having the better of those 40 minutes, writes Matt Vallance.

If Rory Hutton’s scintillating solo try for Watsonians was the individual highlight, rugby is a team game and the collective resolve of the Marr XV not to surrender their long unbeaten home record was eventually realised.

“We were poor in the first half and didn’t look after the ball, but to come back from 3-13 down into the wind and get the draw was a confidence-booster – the effort was absolute,” said Marr’s Craig Redpath.

Opposite number Steve Lawrie said: “The wind was a factor, but I have to praise the effort.”

Nobody put in more effort than the home pack, with Warriors’ James Malcolm and Greg Peterson, and flanker Ross Miller outstanding in that fightback. Hutton’s opening try was outstanding, then Jamie Farndale showed awareness and pace for a second Watsonians try. Craig Sturgeon for Marr and Andrew Chalmers exchanged penalties before a second Sturgeon penalty and his conversion of Malcolm’s try off a driven maul tied the scores.