Biggar 10

Marr 50

Al Stewart at Hartree Mill

AYRSHIRE side Marr were Biggar's BT Cup opponents on Saturday, the visitors demonstrating that having reached the play-off stages last season they will again be a force to be reckoned with in National 1 this time round.

This was another significant step up for Biggar following on from their pre-season runs against Lasswade, Dumfries and Penrith.

That the score suggests a thumping is not in doubt although this is perhaps a little unfair, as for long periods the Biggar defence held firm and tackled well.

The Marr side was just that bit swifter in deed and action and certainly more clinical when in scoring positions.

Biggar were also guilty of making a few unforced errors which on occasion allowed Marr to gain vital field position and on other occasions allowed them to relaunch attacks when Biggar should have cleared their lines.

It started well enough with Zander Lyon charging down an attempted Marr clearance. David McArthur fed the ball left and Craig McDonald rounded the defence for a great opening score, converted by Richard Peacock.

A great start with just six minutes on the clock.

Marr replied with a period of pressure which yielded a Colin Sturgeon penalty.

A similar award gave Peacock a chance which he accepted to extend Biggar's lead to 10-3.

That that was the end of Biggar's scoring opportunities was disappointing to say the least, Marr gaining a foothold on possession and territory and enjoying long periods of time in the Biggar half.

With 15 minutes gone prop Will Farquhar rounded off a forward drive with a try converted by Sturgeon to tie the scores.

This try was quickly followed by a try and conversion for Sturgeon as he dummied his way through the Biggar defence.

Biggar captain Dunlop led the way with some typically strong defence although all the squad played their part as Marr increased the pressure. Inevitably, while several attacks fell short, the pressure eventually told, Marr capitalising on a failed clearance to launch another attack which saw ex-Biggar man McKenzie Pearce get the ball over the line for a half time score of 24-10.

The second half didn't prove any easier for the hosts.

Biggar began brightly with Dunlop and Jardine combining well to break down the clubhouse touchline but a knock-on again gave Marr the chance to clear.

A series of penalties were conceded and these too gave Marr both respite and attacking options. Biggar's defence held strong until almost the end of the third quarter when Pearce crossed for another try. Sturgeon added the conversion to make it 31-10 to Marr.

Try as they did Biggar were unable to make headway, their attacking opportunities limited to valiant attempts to breakout from deep.

Tom Steven was the next to score for Marr, this arguably the first time Biggar's defence had been found wanting from set piece play. Sturgeon's conversion attempt rebounded off the upright.

One promising Biggar attack ended with a knock-on and another with possession lost at the lineout,

Marr able to regroup and relaunch an attack, Scot Bickerstaff shrugging of some weaker tackles to score, Sturgeon on hand to add the two points.

With five minutes remaining a Biggar breakout by Withers ended with McDonald being twisted awkwardly and forced off the pitch.

A long restart saw Marr have one final tilt at the Biggar line. Ball was taken right and then left before fullback Craig Kolarik put in a peach of a cross kick which Sturgeon ran onto to take and score, the stand off fittingly adding the conversion to round of the match with an impressive 25 point tally.

Coaches Mercer and Davy Wilson were generally upbeat despite the defeat but quick to point out the need for hard work at training and a positive approach to the Peebles match which is eagerly awaited.