Kilmarnock faced league leaders Marr RFC at Bellsland last Saturday in the first ever league match between the teams and their weakened team put up a fighting performance despite losing by 52-points to 16.
The Marr side who have an unbeaten record this season had the upper hand from the kick-off with Kilmarnock kicking straight to touch to award the first lineout to the visitors. Kilmarnock won the lineout but knocked on to give Marr the scrum, they were given a free kick which was tapped and soon they forced a scrum five. A second scrum was won and the ball moved to stand-off Rory McGhee who dummied the Kilmarnock defence to ease through for the opening try after four minutes which he converted. 7-0.
Kilmarnock won a scrum from the restart move by Marr and were given a penalty which was kicked from 38metres by Colin Sturgeon. 7-3. The teams shared possession for the next few exchanges with Marr edging further ahead with two penalties with a single penalty reply by Kilmarnock 13-6 midway through the half.
Both kickers missed a penalty apiece and Kilmarnock pressed the visitors forcing a drop out twenty two, they moved the ball between their forwards but were turned over and from their own 22 line Marr shipped the ball with a forward pass missed by the referee, Andrew Gault kicked ahead and Scott Bickerstaff outstripped the Kilmarnock backline to score a converted try. 20-6.
Kilmarnock conceded another penalty to give Marr possession at the restart and Marr turned on the heat as the rain arrived making the home support scurry to the packed stand. Marr forced a lineout deep into Kilmarnock territory and their heavy pack drove goalwards for a pushover try in the corner with the conversion hitting the post 25-6.
Kilmarnock fell further behind as Marr attacked and seemingly knocked on for a scrum to Kilmarnock which was reversed with a penalty to Marr converted by McGhee on the stroke of half time, 28-6.
Coach Robbie Stewart playing at fullback tried to rally his troops at halftime into action however another Marr movement broke down with Kilmarnock penalized again and McGhee kicked another penalty 31-6.
Two minutes later the visitors were penalized with Colin Sturgeon kicking to reduce the deficit 31-9. From the restart kick Kilmarnock’s Greg Montgomery made a tremendous attack speeding 30metres upfield only to give a wildly forward pass when the grubber kick might have reaped rewards, surprisingly Kilmarnock were given a penalty back in their own half. The lineout was won with McKenzie Pearce trying to force his way through, Marr took the ball and kicked upfield with winger Paul Ramsey injured going to ground with Marr’s speedsters in pursuit. Kilmarnock were given a scrum and Marr were penalized for a deliberate wheel. Kilmarnock lost possession again and the ball was shipped to Scott Bickerstaff who romped through for an easy second try with a touchline conversion. 38-9.
Marr from that point were out of site and scored within two minutes albeit with a hint of two forward passes 45-9.
Kilmarnock changed players with John Brown and Johnnie Logie appearing. Marr scored their final try with a corner flag touchdown and touchline conversion to end their scoring 52-9.
In the closing twenty minutes Kilmarnock stepped up to the challenge at long last and had the upper hand in terms of possession. Playing at stand-off Ally McWhirter scored a majestic try waltzing through the Marr defence for Kilmarnock’s single try of the day converted by Sturgeon 52-16 much to the delight of the home crowd and writer in particular. Taylor McHarg replaced Graeme Dick and Tom McMichael replaced Dave McLeod. Kilmarnock to their credit never gave up but could not breach the Marr defence.
Coach Dougie Campbell was praiseworthy of the team effort and questioned why they could not play with the same attitude as in the closing quarter for the full game.

The players demanded greater commitment of themselves and it will be the coaches remit to reinforce the game plan for this coming Saturday’s visit to the Bearyards to face league opponents Allan Glens.
Kick-off 2.00pm.

Some older adversaries from the two teams retired to the bar to recollect the intervening years and share a modicum of cordials whilst looking forward to the next encounter.
Such is the camaraderie found in the sport……. long may it continue.