Kevin Quinn salutes Marr local heroes

The Ayrshire side saw off Kilmarnock 47-16 on Saturday to win the trophy with three matches still to play.

So far they have won 15 from 15 league matches, all with bonus points, and scored 616 points in the process.

They also picked up the RBS West Regional Shield and will be looking to complete an amazing treble when they compete in the RBS National Shield.

Along with Livingston they are the only two unbeaten first XVs left in the country. Young players like Conor Bickerstaff, the team’s top try-scorer who crossed the line twice against Kilmarnock, have come of age this term, and what has pleased Quinn most is that they are all local lads.

The way they played on Saturday was equally impressive given that it was an emotional occasion, coming as it did two days after 17-year-old Jordan Deary, a club member and someone who had toured with Marr College to Canada, was found dead in his home.

Quinn said: “This season at the club has been really great for the first XV. The attitude and hard work the players have shown under the guidance of Craig Redpath and Paul Burke has been brilliant to see and they have reaped the benefits of it.

“Some of their rugby at times has been outstanding and it has been good to see so many young, local guys turning out for the first XV. They are enjoying playing for the club and  testing themselves, and that will be good for the future.”

As well as the up-and-coming group of players, Marr have also been well served this term by the likes of back-row Don Morrison who is in his 19th senior season at the club. And there is a real togetherness at the club that stretches right up from the junior section to the first XV.

Indeed, links with the local school Marr College are very good too and this term the club has managed to field a third XV for the first time.

Quinn added: “The players and coaches in the first XV know that their good form has helped rub off on the rest of the club and now they want to finish the campaign on a high.”