The first XV went into a physical encounter with Strathmore with a new found confidence following a strong pre-season and a win last week against Gordonians. The home side started well, showing drive and intensity from the off which has been missing in the past. They found themselves 5-0 up within minutes after a series of set plays allowed scrum half Rory Mellis to dart over the line. A conversion by Mike Levack back at fly half ticked the score board on to 7-0 and the visitors were visibly shell shocked at being down to a team that they had beaten comfortably just 5 months ago.

Unfortunately mackie perhaps switched off a bit and two unfortunate errors meant Strathmore scored 2 fairly easy tries against the run of play 7-14. Bouyed by this, strathmore enjoyed their best pasrt of the match and scored another unconverted try 7-19. Vice captain Simon Morgan again proved a catalyst to a revival in mackie’s performance and stayed strong to sbeat his amdn and score a try underneath the posts which was again converted by Levack.
The second half was all mackie as they pressed and pressed the visitors line but in the wet and windy conditions couldn't convert pressure in to points. Strathmore kicked a penalty and scored a try off a quick tap penalty after a dubious infringement by the mackie back row. Again Mackie took the game to strathmore but it was not to be. The game finished 14-29 and a disappointed Mackie side clapped the visitors off for a great match. Mackie had several chances throughout the game but poor handling cost us, probably down to the atrocious weather conditions. On a plus side for both teams and the senior squad as a whole, they are now creating chances and have the belief to beat any team in the league. All that is needed is now need to be able to finish the chances they are given and maintain discipline in defence.