Mackie P6 arrived for the home tournament still buzzing from the back of a great performance the previous week at the Ellon tournament.

Gareththedefencecoach and Frankiethepitchsideconsultant got the squad pumped and primed for their first pool by putting them through passing and tackling activities which got their rugby brains switched on, hands and feet quickened and bands of steel toughened up.

A spirited start by Mackie saw them race into an early lead against Ellon. They continued to get into position early, create quick ball opportunities and kept up positive support lines. This allowed them to beat the defence and win their opening game.

Final score Ellon 2 : 10 Mackie

The squad's second pool game was against Deeside who were keen to get the rugby ball back as they took Mackie attackers to the ground and created more opportunities to counter ruck. However the squad's Self-organisation helped them to find solutions to these new tactical challenges that allowed them to stay connected and find the best spaces and edge the win.

Final score. Mackie 4 : 2 Deeside

Before the squad's third pool match they had some down time, a game of touch rugby and some support from siblings who held the rucking pads that brough some fun and spice into the game.

The squad's final pool game was against Grammar. By now their rugby skills were highly tuned as they talked, scanned, listened and used an hugely increased rugby speed to attack the opposition's defensive lines.

Final score Mackie 7 : 1 Grammar

Mackie were now pool winners and were to wait with Optimism as to who they would face in the final. Would it be a rerun of their last tournament final or would it be against opposition they had not met before?

The results were checked and verified and the Mackie players were to ready use their Game awareness, competitive Attitude, Skill sets, Physicality and Scots skills against Moray.

The whistle blew and both teams showed how well they could stay connected, find the best spaces, stress defenders and keep continuity in attack whilst competing for the ball, getting back into the game, be the threat and go forwards in defence.

At half time Mackie were behind however with grit, never say die attitude and plenty of Tenacity they pulled the score back to a 4 : 4 draw at the final whistle.

The match officials checked with both teams and coaches and it was agreed the match would continue for another 2 minutes.

Both teams continued to apply their attacking and defensive principles but neither team could break the other's lines and score that winning try.

Again the final whistle blew but in line with our beautiful game's cores players from both teams cried that they would share the winners trophy.

The coaching squad were chuffed to bits with this as Gareththedefencecoach had sand in his eye again, Frankiepitchsideconsultant grin was even wider than it was after last weekend's result and Andywackysocks2 heart could be seen bursting for pride for the integrity the squad had shown.

Thanks to all the players parents and families for getting them there and for the very positive support from the touchlines during those hot and spicy games.

Remember to ask your rugby brain what is the one thing I need to stop doing and the thing I need start doing to improve my rugby skills?

IntegrityTASTIC Peeps!

Gareththedefencecoach
Frankiepitchsideconsultant
Andywackysocks2