Marr-vellous Burgh gain point
Published 30 Sep 2010 09:00
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DETERMINED: Burgh put last week’s disappointing result behind them to secure a draw against high-flying Marr
Helensburgh 16 Marr 16
Helensburgh held their much-vaunted visitors to a share of the spoils at a sun-drenched Ardencaple after a much improved performance, in particular from the pack.
But for the man who is normally such a hero for the Burgh, captain Chris Black - who had a day to forget with the boot - the Grizzlies might well have beaten the league leaders from Troon.
You might have heard of the man who walks into a butchers on a cold, crisp day and asks the man standing in front of an electric fire: “Is that your Ayrshire bacon over there?” No, replies the butcher, I’m just warming my hands.
Well, there were plenty of overheated mitts at Ardencaple on Saturday as the clap-o-meter went into overdrive during a rousing, fiercely competitive and enthralling match.
The game began with a big Blair Somerville blitz, as he fielded the opening kick off and rampaged 60 metres before finally being scragged from behind. This set the tone: this reminded Marr they would be in a game of rugby for fully 80 minutes.
Chris Black then took play into the Marr 22 and from an ensuing lineout, Marr were penalised. Unfortunately, Black’s kick was woefully wide - he might not have had his tee, but in golfing terms, it was still a bad shank.
But the home side continued to show encouraging signs as Musset and Phil Rogers embarked on leg-pumping drives into the heart of the Marr defence.
The Troon side responded well and their dangerous back three combined well in a fluid right wing move. When the ball was worked centre-field, only some whip-smart thievery from Ally Cairns on the deck spoiled what looked a certain try.
Marr looked increasingly threatening but then missed a penalty goal attempt as Burgh hung on with some resolute tackling.
Burgh had chances of their own: from a fine Johnny Gibson lineout clutch, the ball sped through the hands of Stuart Holmes to the centres, where Andrew Irving - playing his first game for the Grizzlies in several years - made excellent yardage. From the ruck, Holmes’ cross-field kick fell nicely for winger Ollie Curtis, but he knocked on and the opportunity was gone.
With 20 minutes gone only a gargantuan tackle on Marr’s big number eight by full back Black stopped what looked a certain try but Burgh were penalised at the ruck and Marr opened the scoring at 3-0.
Burgh rallied, Owen McInroy taking the ball on a breenge before the pack drove forward and into Marr’s 22. This time Marr infringed and Black successfully tied the scores.
In what was a ding-dong battle, Marr took play into the Grizzlies red zone and this time only stout defence from Duncan Watt and Sean McNee prevented the first try of the day. But faced with constant danger, Burgh’s line had to break and after some poor tackling around the base of a ruck, Marr’s hooker crossed the whitewash after 27 minutes for a converted try.
Four minutes later and the large home support had something to cheer: good lineout ball was whipped along the line and Holmes had the presence of mind to fire a superb long pass to the overlapping Curtis, who dashed for the corner despite the attentions of Marr’s full back.
This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 30 Sep 10
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