Marr earn lifeline with battling performance

An All Black and an Italy internationalist scored tries for Marr but this was a win built on the performances of local players from Troon, writes Gary Heatly.

Lelia Masaga and Samu Vunisa were on the scoresheet, but it was players like skipper Angus Johnston and his brother Ben who were the catalysts for this 24-20 victory at Currie.

Four tries in the first half gave Marr a bonus point and keeps their battle against relegation going until at least 3 March. Marr head coach Craig Redpath said: “The guys showed how much the club means to them. We let in an early try but then played some of our best rugby of the season to go up at half-time. We then had to defend well and scrap to keep Currie at bay.”

Currie co-captain Fergus Scott said: “We shot ourselves in the foot. Marr made it difficult for us but we made too many errors.”

The home side took an early lead when stand-off Charlie Shiel scored. Winger Masaga, pictured, who earned a New Zealand cap in 2009, then scored for Marr. A Shiel penalty put Currie 10-5 up after 23 minutes but the Marr pack was starting to get the upper hand.

Tries came from Vunisa, the Warriors back-row and an Italy cap, winger Scott Bickerstaff and centre Conor Bickerstaff. Stand-off Rory Mcgee converted two of them and that left things at 24-10 at the interval. Currie’s second try of the day came in the 49th minute, replacement Stephen Ainslie scoring from close range.

With 13 minutes togo, currie’ s third try came through cocaptain Robbie Nelson but Marr held on for the win.