Marr secure win in Plate final against Galashiels

The Troon school made the greater physicality of their pack count, despite the loss of captain and lock Angus Johnston after only four minutes.

“The boys have trained very hard all year. We’ve got a new gym and that has allowed the team to work on weights three times a week” said Marr coach Keith Dunsmuir.

“Head coach John Sharkey suffered a stroke recently and the boys genuinely felt they wanted to win for him.”

Marr had a number of outstanding players, notably Scotland Under-18 cap, Ben Johnston. His back-row colleague, Lewis Armstrong, also carried ball well and showed good  mobility. Behind the scrum centre Andrew Mill showed strength, while scrum-half Grant Baird, who played for the senior Marr side on Saturday at Murrayfield, looked lively.

Galashiels coach Lewis Bertram said: “I’m very proud of the boys and what they’ve achieved in getting to the final.”

Aside from giving away height and weight, the Borderers were handicapped by yellow cards for No 8 Josh Irvine and flanker Liam Scott. Outstanding was prop Gary Robertson, who carried ball well and threatened the Marr defence. Behind the scrum Ruairi Howarth at stand-off showed why he is in the Scotland Under-17 squad.

Marr led 10-8 at half-time with tries from Ben Johnston and Grant Baird to a try for Gala by Robertson and a penalty from centre Keith Young, who kicked another after the break. Marr dominated after that with two penalties by Baird and a try in the corner by winger Ali Hazel.

In the Under-18 Bowl final, Morrison’s Academy defeated Peebles High School 31-20.

Man-of-the-match Matthew Tait scored two of the Crieff School’s tries with the others from prop Callum Savage, flanker Ian Paterson, and full-back Ben Vardi. Stand-off Gavin Tainsh kicked three conversions

For Peebles, full-back Dave Campbell, scrum-half Jack Harrison, and centre Scott Halliday scored tries and stand-off Murray Brown kicked a penalty and a conversion.