With only 2 weeks elapsing from the Mackie U15 boys losing to Falkirk in the Caledonia U15 Plate Final (by 6 points) everyone was expecting a close hard fought game.

Playing on a very good conditioned and wide 1st XV pitch the two teams took to the field for the first of the three 20 minute periods.

Neither side managed to keep too much possession with a slightly greasy ball causing both sides some handling issues, but it was Mackie who drew first blood when centre Stuart Ferguson hit a great line inside the Falkirk half and kept going to score near the posts, stand off Kieran Dyer added the conversion to give them a 7-0 lead.

They would hold onto that lead going into the break after the first 20 minutes had elapsed.

The second period was much like the first with both teams having their chances on the ball. Falkirk were first to take a chance when they opted to take a penalty when Mackie were penalised for going off their feet at the breakdown. The kick was good and Falkirk were on the score sheet.

To make up for that error Mackie hit back straight away with another try from Ferguson after he made a break down the left wing, unfortunately Dyer couldn’t add the extras this time.

After another penalty given away by the visiting side Falkirk once again opted for the kick, with the kick creeping just inside the post Falkirk found themselves within a score of Mackie even though they had been nowhere near the try line.

Towards the end of the 2nd period Falkirk found some space down the right wing and one of their backs made a dash for the line after some poor tackling by Mackie, but just when it looked like he would score centre Ferguson bundled him into touch on the corner flag denying the home side the chance to take the lead for the first time in the game.

Going into the last 20 minute period it was all to play for with the score line at 12-6.

When Falkirk were penalised on their on 5m line Mackie opted to tap & pass with no. 8 Thomas Wilson taking the ball on, it took 3 or 4 players to stop him just short of the line and this gave hooker Lewis Shand that opportunity to pick and go to score from close range. Dyer put in his best kick of the season as the ball went over right in the corner of the post to give Mackie some breathing space.

With the Mackie forwards now dominating possession and controlling the scrums and rucks they piled on the pressure and Ferguson managed to grab his third of the game near the posts, Dyer managing to convert easily.

Under pressure Falkirk kick the ball down the pitch, full back Ross Gill picks it up inside his own half and does his usual hard running return, finding a gap in the disjointed defensive line he goes through it at pace and goes half the length of the pitch to score under the posts. This makes Dyer’s job easy and he converts once again.

To add to Falkirk’s misery Mackie strike again straight from the kick off, Dyer takes the restart before moving left drawing his man and putting flanker Kieran Fulton in space down the wing, he then goes 2 on 1 against the opposition full back before throwing a dummy to supporting winger Zander Begg and goes on to score under the posts. Dyer again with an easy conversion to give the boys in red a comfortable lead going into the last few minutes.

To round off the game Mackie continued to push for another score. Back row replacement Gordon Simpson picks up from the back of a ruck just inside the Falkirk half and took off down the wing, he looked like he was going to score in the corner was tackled just short of the line, but crucially popped the ball off to the supporting Wilson who dived over the line. The kick was on the wrong side and too far out for Dyer this time and that was the last action of the game, Mackie running out 45-6 winners.

Coaches Mark Beadie and Adrian Brewster, along with the extensive travelling support, were very pleased with the standard of rugby played from the boys. The forwards dominated the scrum and won a few against the head, while also getting a few turnovers at the breakdown. The backs were clinical with the ball in hand and let very little through in defence.

Next up is a home game against Dunfermline at Redcloak on Sunday 21 April.

Team: F Johnman, L Shand, C Hepburn, F Reid, J McGregor, A Bruce, K Fulton, T Wilson; F McDonald, K Dyer, G Grant, S Ferguson, D Kerr, Z Begg, R Gill
Subs: L Mitchell, T Eddie, G Simpson, L Lawson, R Moar, L Carmichael

Man of the Match: Stuart Ferguson

DoD: Leon Lawson (slept in) + Lewis Shand (we all know why!!)