A View from the Touchline – Tennent’s Premiership: 1.10.22.

Marr 24 pts (t 3, c 3, p g 1) v Currie Chieftains 17 pts (t 3, c 1)

Gusting wind and frequent heavy showers were forecast for coastal Ayrshire, and it was no surprise that the wet greasy conditions supplied plenty of handling errors which certainly raised levels of excitement and disappointment. The Chieftains kicked off with wind advantage, but like the play-off final last April, Marr had the better of their opponents for a large chunk of the first half. The Chieftains found it difficult to keep possession and make much headway. After 20 minutes, Marr had already missed a couple of try- scoring opportunities, but Currie’s defence looked pretty sound until the slippery ball squirted from a 5-metre scrum, and Marr’s scrumhalf pounced for a simple converted try.

Following a good period of Currie pressure, Marr had a forward sent to the sinbin for handling on the ground. The resulting penalty lineout was messy, but finally quick crisp passing had James McCaig scampering for the corner flag and an unconverted try. Currie started to find their rhythm and caused problems for the opposition, but both teams consistently fumbled the ball, which was always more disastrous for the visitors, who conceded a penalty goal and then a second converted try after coming under pressure in their 22. Marr appeared more streetwise to the difficult conditions, and they punished Currie’s mistakes, much to the delight of the home supporters.

Halftime score – Marr 17 pts, Currie Chieftains 5 pts.

As the rain clouds raced away on the wind, out came the sunshine and a much brighter second half performance from the visitors. The experienced Paddy Boyer added some zip to the Chieftains attack, with DJ Inness, Greg Cannie, Kody McGovern and Adam Hall all making gains deep into Marr territory. An intercepted Currie pass could have been a catastrophe, but a try-saving tackle from James McCaig, followed by a spirited counter-ruck regained possession to put the Chieftains on the front foot again. The reliable boot of Jamie Forbes pegged back the home team, and a well-executed 5 metre penalty lineout delivered a textbook catch and drive for Currie’s second unconverted try. Ewan Stewart, who was very impressive throughout the afternoon, scored but unfortunately Cody Roman sustained an injury and took no further part in the match; his replacement, Will Inglis filled in admirably. Wind advantage seemed to have little significance for either side, and when Jamie Forbes gathered a poor Marr clearance in mid-field, he accelerated into space on the sparsely defended left flank; his perfect pass sent the speedy Kody McGovern in for Currie’s third try which levelled the scores.

The visitors were now in the ascendancy, but their attacking aspirations were matched by a resolute defence who were also intent on moving the ball though their experienced backline. Play moved up and down the pitch amid continuing mistakes with most of activity confined to mid-field. There was little between the teams, but it was clear that any error could swing the outcome. When Currie infringed, a good Marr kick found touch inside the 22. The penalty lineout tried to drive forward without success, but when the ball was released, a well-rehearsed crash-ball try was unstoppable and put the home team back in front. In a nail-biting final ten minutes, it looked as if the Chieftains had sufficient gas to at least force a draw. As the clock ticked down, a series of lineouts and dominant Currie scrums hugged the Marr 5 metre line; a final push careered forward, and it looked as if a score was imminent. As the scrum disintegrated it was assumed that the visitors would be awarded either a penalty, or a penalty try. Amid the confusion, the ball was hacked over the dead-ball line and the referee blew for fulltime. The rather unsatisfactory ending left a bitter taste; perhaps the visitors should have turned on the power a little earlier.

I.J.S. - 4.10.22.

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