New strips and solid win for S2 over highland

Saturday 6th December saw Mackie S2's play their first game in their new strips sponsored by Gaelic Property and be the first Mackie team this season to defeat Highland. We had a full contiongenmt of 19 players which was as good a starting team as we could field. The lads were up for the game but Highland's reputation of a hard physical team was certainly on the mind of most Mackie players.

From the kick off by Highland, Drew gathered the ball and almost scored from a straight run but knocked the ball on in a tackle just short of the try line. After a couple of scrums, and putting the ball out to the backs Drew powered through for a try, Robbie lined up for the conversion but it drifted wide. Mackie played hard, but were not fully settled into the game and with the ball was well worked through the line and Archie made good ground with Drew looping around to score again. Robbie lined up but missed conversion. Play continued with some hard phases and Mackie seemed to be making it hard for themselves but it paid off with another try by Drew.

2nd period restart drew made a strong tackle on Highland, with a quick pick and go for try in left corner. Mackie settled into the game and with charging runs from the forwards of Fraser, Matthew, and Nathan, the next score was finished through the hands for the backs for drew again. Highland were certainly not giving up and fighting back hard, a Highland clearance kick was safely gathered by Ethan, who offloaded to Fraser for the forwards taking it in, was again out through quick hands for the backs with drew looping after his own pass to score in space again. Highland again continued to put on the pressure, and a Mackie clearance kick from Sean was gathered by highland winger who made a great running attack on the left touch line to get Highlands first score.

Mackie quickly regrouped and a good pick from back of a ruck by Andrew, followed by a powerful run by Nathan who popped to Euan R who scored under posts, with another conversion by Robbie. After a penalty to highland, Mackie got a good turn over in tackle and through by drew to score. Hard work from highland from the next restart and despite good defense and really hard work from Euan R, highland scored again. Following a scrum to highland and their clearance kick which gathered by Max under fast running attack from Highland Max did well to retain the ball but with slower full support from Highland players a quick pick and go by drew again to score. Robbie conversion was off post this time. Mackie's final try came from some good individual and team play and a stylish step by Eoin to score under posts. Highland never gave up and after continuous pressure as the clock counted down Highland got over the try line but Mackie defended excellently and stripped the ball before it was grounded, a clearance kick from Fergus was not chased quick enough by Mackie and loosing the defensive line shape Highland quickly penetrating back in for a try and converted as the final score of the game.

Overall a great test for Mackie S2 and also highlighted areas where we need to work on especially the front 5 forwards speed and physicality at the rucks. coaches certainly happy with the level of improvement for this single S2 game.

Mackie 1t drew, 0c Robbie, 1t drew, 0c Robbie, 1t drew, 1c Robbie. 1t drew, 0c Robbie, 1t drew, 0c Euan, 1t drew, 1c Robbie, 1t drew, 1c Robbie, 1t Euan r, 1c robbie. 1t drew, 1c Robbie, 1t drew, 0c Robbie, 1t Eoin, 1c robbie,

Highland 1t, 0c, 1t, 1c, 1t, 1c

39 -11