Melrose v Marr 1/3/25
Melrose v Marr – 1/3/25
To-day’s Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership match was played on a dull afternoon with a cold breeze and the occasional hint of light rain. With eight minutes played Finlay Sinclair’s break from the Marr 22 was continued by Allan Ferrie then Ruairidh Lindsay whose try to the left of the posts was converted by Keiran Clark. Ten minutes later, after a penalty lineout between the Marr 10 & 22m lines, Sinclair, again, broke clear passing to Allan Ferrie who scored at the posts with Clark converting. With 23 minutes played Will Ferrie was caught punching an opponent and was sent to the naughty step for a ten-minute rest. Just before he returned to the fray the visitors put in a series of picks and drives ending with Cameron Young scoring and Colin Sturgeon converting.
Half time – Melrose 14 Marr 7
Four minutes into the second half a Marr clearance kick from just outside their 22 flew directly into touch giving Melrose the throw-in 25m short of the Marr line. A series of plays developed before Allan Ferrie crashed over at the posts for a try converted by Clark. At 54 minutes, from a penalty lineout rolling maul in the Policeman’s Corner, Callum Steel scored and Sturgeon converted, before, at 61 minutes, Clark kicked a penalty to widen the gap to ten points. Five minutes later Jack Wilks was shown a yellow card for leading into a tackle with his forearm. Five minutes later Allan Ferrie, again, broke and after a fine passing move left Roly Brett scored the Melrose bonus point try to the left of the posts with Clark adding the extras. From the kick off Melrose attacked down the left side. Close to the Marr line, Jake Jacobson tackled a Melrose player off the ball with a try imminent earning himself a yellow card and Melrose a penalty-try. Further great Melrose handling from the kick-off ended with Clark scoring and converting to end the match.
Melrose 45 Marr 14
Melrose – Morgan Gabe, Keiran Clark, Corey Goldsbrough, Roly Brett, Declan Mulcahy, Luke Townsend, Bruce Colvine, Will Ferrie, Logan Kirk, Zen Szwagrzak, Allan Ferrie, Angus Runciman©, Elliot Ruthven, Finlay Sinclair, Ruairidh Lindsay. Replacements – Ben White, Jack Dobie, Angus Weir, Jack Wilks, Craig Fairbairn, Douglas Crawford, Struan Hutchison.
Marr – Calum Inglis, Logan Jarvie, Scott Bickerstaff, Alex Bryden, Jake Jacobson, Colin Sturgeon, Grant Baird, Brandon Sweet, Blair Jardine, Craig Miller, Cameron Young, Aiden Orr, Jamie Braddock, Callum Steel, Ben Johnston. Replacements – Graeme Dick, Rhys Sutherland, Adam King, Andrew Bowler, Euan McAra, Jack Scott, Aaron Purewall.
Referee – John Smith. Assistants – Darroch Ramsay & John Beaton.
Off-side Line Man of the Match - Al Ferrie
