SCOTTISH CUP: QUARTER-FINAL DRAW ANNOUNCED

Marr’s reward for beating Ayr for the very first time is another away trip up to face Highland, who overcame Stirling Wolves 38-18 at Canal Park.

Tennent’s Premiership leaders Marr transferred their league form into the knockout competition by beating local rivals Ayr at Millbrae.

The comprehensive 45-26 scoreline was indicative of Marr’s early season excellence and although the hosts battled back to gain respectability, Craig Redpath’s men march on.

Captain Conor Bickerstaff, who scored a brace of tries, praised his teammates for extending their unbeaten run.

He said: “It was really important for us to get the win. First of all to progress in the cup and keep momentum on our side but to get our first competitive win over Ayr as a club is massive for us.

“Ayr had a young side out and they held their own giving us a really good game, so they should be happy with their performance.

“It’s going really well and if you asked me at the beginning of the season that we would be undefeated I would have taken it.

“We had a dip against Edinburgh Accies but we just need to get back on track at Hawks. The attitude has been great in the dressing room but we need to keep building on our performances and strive to get even better – staying grounded is the main thing for us going forward.”

Jed-Forest will also be on the road in the race for a semi-final berth after securing a 23-12 win at Boroughmuir, their reward coming in the form of another capital trip, this time to Edinburgh Accies.

After their weekend win, Jed Head Coach, Gavin Kerr, said: We’re pleased with the result more for the players than anything.

“It’s been a challenge over the last month or so juggling the squad. It was good to see some of the younger players having a go that were brought into the team and a couple of players coming back from injury (Garry Young & Thomas Jeffery).

“We have a break this week so we will start building to the next two big league games.”

National One sides Gala will host Heriot’s Blues after they beat Kelso and GHA respectively, while Currie Chieftains are also through to the last four after beating Selkirk 44-21 at Philiphaugh.

The quarter-final line-up is completed by Hawick, who won the right to face Currie on the back of a 42-10 Mansfield Park win over Cartha Queen’s Park.

Scottish Cup – Quarter-Final Ties to be played on Saturday 25 January:

Currie Chieftains v Hawick

Highland v Marr

Gala v Heriot’s Blues

Edinburgh Academical v Jed Forest

National League Cup – Quarter-Final Ties to be played on Saturday 25 January (with the exception of the Stewart’s Melville v Murrayfield Wanderers or Preston Lodge fixture, as the First Round fixture (Murrayfield Wanderers v Preston Lodge) is scheduled to be played that day):

Hamilton Bulls v GHK

Howe of Fife v Strathmore

Lasswade v Peebles

Stewart’s Melville v Murrayfield Wanderers or Preston Lodge (Fixture date TBC)