Mackie P4's made the short trip to Aberdeen Grammar on Sunday to take part in the hosts annual mini rugby tournament and after a hard days play emerged victorious as Grammar champions 2016,

The day started with a round-robin pool competiton against Garioch, Grammar Blue and Deeside. After a tough 1st match against Garioch that the boys won 4-2 they then ran out 6-0 winners against Grammar Blue and 6-2 winners against Deeside to come top of their pool.

After a short break the semi final draws were announced and Mackie had drawn Stirling County in one semi whilst Ellon and Garioch played the other. Stirling County are always well drilled, tough opposition and this time it was no different. While watching Stirling earlier the boys had identified a particular individual on the Stirling side that seemed to be at the center of all their successful plays, so when Mackie kicked-off against them they were particularly wary and focussed on this pivotal player and very successfully shackled him so he could not be so influential. This still left Stirling a very strong outfit but MAckie were able to take the lead and keep it over the duration of the game to eventually end up 6-4 winners of a very entertaining but tough game.

Ellon had won the other semi setting up, for not the first time, a Mackie v Ellon final.

Again Mackie used their previous knowledge of Ellons strengths to try to minimise theor effectiveness and with great success they repeatedly stopped the big Ellon forwards making any progress from tap starts (a usually successful Ellon tactic). Added to this was the quick "jackalling" over the breakdown to steal the ball and run in tries of their own meant Mackie again quickly moved into a lead which despite a brief Ellon resurgence, they managed to keep hold of until the end with a final score of 6-4 to Mackie.

Thanks as always go to Grammar for a really well run event and to the travelling support for their encouragemeent to the kids.

Well done Mackie P4, Grammar Champions 2016 : Liam, Milos, Kobi, Jake, Bruce, Angus, Callum, Taegan, Ruirigh and Oli