The final league game before the season switches to a knock out cup competition in the New Year saw Mackie U15’s face Ellon in a rearranged home match. Mackie were looking to extend their unbeaten run against a team they had comfortably beaten away from home in September. The game kicked off in fine conditions and with a firm park it was ideal for playing running rugby. Mackie ran out eventual winners 56-17 against opposition who rallied in the second half, having been rarely in the game in a first half in which Mackie had dominated all aspects of play. Mackie started the game with their usual flair and aggression taking the ball to Ellon, sucking in their players and then spinning it wide to create overlaps. This ploy released Tom Robertson on the left wing to score the first try. The second try was scored by wing forward Logan Bean after some slick passing gave him the space to accelerate, break the oncoming Ellon tackle and stretch out for the line. Forwards also secured the next three tries the first by Dean Davidson from a 5 yard penalty, the second by Cameron Thain from a take and go at a ruck held up on the line after another 5 yard penalty and then a simple overlap try for hooker James Cochrane after a kick and chase had seen Matthew Buchanan retrieve the high ball and set up a ruck close to the Ellon line. The final try of the first half saw Murray Allan score on the right wing after some fine driving play by the Mackie forwards. A score of 36-0 at half time was just reward for the dominant Mackie display. In the second half Mackie not surprisingly took their foot off the gas and allowed Ellon to come more into the game. It was a more balanced affair and Ellon took heart from scoring an early try. Mackie continued to keep the score board ticking over with a fine individual try from Joseph Reid breaking on the blind side from a scrum at the half way line. Tom Robertson then score another try from a great Joseph Reid off load to cancel out a second Ellon try that had come from an interception after some careless passing in the Mackie backline. Ellon then scored again after a poor clearance kick allowed their fullback to run in the corner almost unopposed. The final two Mackie tries were scored by Findlay Rhind, both from trade mark overlaps created by slick Mackie handling. The first from a 5 yard penalty with the ball transferred along the back line, and the last, a stand-out score where the full back collected the ball on the half way line, brushed off the Ellon wing and then sliced diagonally through the remaining Ellon covering defence to glide under the posts. Logan Grant had two conversions and Cameron Queen converted the final try to seal a comfortable victory. Ellon showed promise and progress in their second half performance, but it was overall, very much business as usual for the all-conquering Mackie U15’s. With the league phase complete, Mackie U15’s can be proud of their performances and stand as winners of the Northeast division. Well done and time for a deserved seasonal rest before the cup competition begins in January.