U15s Vrs Ellon Semi-Final

Report on Mackie U15 game against Ellon, 26th March 2017
Mackie U15s travelled to Peterhead to play Ellon in the semi-final of the shield cup. The game was played at Catto Park due to a mini rugby tournament being held at recreation park, Ellon. On a beautiful spring day Catto Park provided a fantastic sports facility to play the fast running rugby that the U15s enjoy. A firm pitch with little wind: perfect conditions that even the faint whiff of fish entrails from the nearby docks could not affect. Mackie dominated the game throughout and won by the handsome score of 63-5. You could say it was a stroll in the park, but at this level no game is a stroll. In the end, a valiant Ellon succumbed to the more skilful and quicker team whose trade mark slick passing provided a feast of tries, with Mackie scoring, in all, 11. For a change it was not the Mackie wingers who were stealing the show, but a range of players shared the spoils. The try feast was served up with the first 3 coming from Captain Alex Dunlop showing typical ebullience as he punished slack Ellon tackling with powerful runs all from within the Ellon 22. Two further tries, one from Logan Grant and another from Oscar Burslem gave Mackie a comfortable 27-0 score at half time. In the second half a second Logan Grant try gave Mackie further impetus after a slow start, and they then opened up the flood gates with tries from winger Tom Robertson, Findlay Rhind Murray Allan, another from a player who I failed to record, and a swallow-diving Max Nehring sealing a comfortable victory. Logan Grant succeeded with 3 conversions, and Joseph Reid another. A consolation try from Ellon from a quick penalty was worthy of the endeavour they showed throughout the match. Next, the cup final on the 30th of April. Let’s hope Mackie they can keep up this sort of form.