Blue sky and sunshine this morning as Mackie faced Ellon away from home in the quarter final of the Culblean Cup. Ellon are always a formidable opponent, and they did not disappoint, but there were positives that can be taken from the game.

The opening third Ellon hit the ground running. Immediately putting pressure on Mackie. The Mackie boys defended well holding them off in the opening minutes. Hughie Russell made the best tackle I have seen this season putting an Ellon attacker in full charge on to his back. That lifted the team and made a bold statement as how we wanted to play. Ellon though did start to break through the defence getting some tries on the score board. Mackie kept working hard and when they put the pressure on, Ellon did fumble showing their vulnerable side. But Ellon were strong in the ruck, repeatedly turning Mackie over. That combined with several knock-ons meant Mackie struggled for possession and at the end of the first third were trailing 24-0.

The second third started better. Mackie were defending the breakdown allowing them to maintaining more possession. Murray McLauglin showed his strength and tenacity to get over for what would be the only Mackie try of the day. There were other positives too. Special mention to Hendy Aitken, Murray, Stefan Moir, James Wardell, Hughie and Douglas Roberston for putting in more than their fair share of tackles. We also saw some decent runs from Murray, James, Hughie, Sandy, Rory Coull, Thomas Brainwood and Angus McNally, but the Ellon defence was strong. End of the second third 45 v 7.

Into the final third, and despite the score line the boy kept going and if anything started to play some of their best rugby. They had got to grips with the breakdown, often going three in to hold back Ellon, but maintaining possession allowed them to get the ball wide. They worked it right and left stringing some nice phases together. It was good to watch and they were close to scoring twice more, only to be held back by the strong Ellon defence. Final score Ellon 64 v Mackie 7.

If the boys played consistently from the start for the full duration of the game as well as they played when at their best today, they would be fierce competition for any team.

Mark Goalen, U13s Lead Coach

Mackie RFC - SC051025

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