It was a warm and dry afternoon at Rubislaw. With a late kick off allowing those who travelled South to watch the Six Nations match to get back in time to play. The grounds were in great condition, and we were all set for what turned out to be a thrilling Culbean Sheild Semi Final.

The opening third was very even. Both teams putting each under pressure, and both teams defending and attacking well. Mackie boys looked to have been paying attention in training as their structure was better. They were well positioned on the field and there was communication between players to make sure it stayed that way. Both teams were giving as good as they got. It was Grammar who looked close to scoring first. They had got well down the pitch, and while Mackie were defending well Grammar were inching closer and closer to the line. Grammar did manage to get over the try line, but Jack Dargie (No.2) was able to hold them up. After the drop out the pressure was quickly back on and it was not long before Grammar were over the line again, this time held up by Murray McLauglin (No.8). Mackie were able to recover from the pressure and start to work their way up the pitch. With strong runs from Dylan Main (No.3), and Calvin Sadio (No.1) and several phases of good play, it was Murray McLaughlin who scored the first try of the afternoon. Not long after, an excellent run from Henry Aitken saw him cross the line and getting the ball down close to behind the posts. End of the first third Grammar 0 v Mackie 10

The second third got underway, and Grammar were hungry to get some points on the board. They came firing out of the blocks and a strong attacker was able to break the Mackie defence to score early in the third. Grammar followed up their first try quickly with a second. They were able to convert their second try and they narrowly took the lead. Mackie responded well, phase after phase of well-structured rugby, Finlay Young (No.9) controlling the forwards, and executing strong passes from the break down. Brax MacAskill (No.11) with a very strong run, managed to break several tackles and looked like he might go the distance before being toppled, he was well supported by Calvin and Murray and was able to offload to Murray who juggled the ball, but did well to hold onto it, before going over for his second try of the day. James Wardell (replacement centre) was able to convert allowing Mackie to regain the lead. Grammar came back putting yet more pressure on Mackie, and they were working their way down the pitch close to the Mackie try line. Mackie turned them over and got the ball to Hughie Russell (No.15) who broke through their defences to run the length of the field and score under the posts. James converted that try too and end of the second third Grammar 12 v Mackie 24.

Grammar kept their heads up and came into the final third strong and resilient. Great play from both sides made it a hard fought contest. But Grammar were strong and they were able to score two tries, but unable to convert meant the score line was tantalisingly close. It felt like Grammar had some momentum and Mackie were beginning to feel the pressure and Grammar kept at them. The tackling effort stepped up, and it was great to see Brax putting in a try saving tackle. Not long left on the clock Grammar burst through the Mackie defence and had a clear run to the try line. Hughie Russell chasing him down, could he catch him in time? Surely not, but then Hughie puts in a diving tap tackle and the thundering Grammar attacker fell hard and spilled the ball and it is a scrum to Mackie. Mackie then controlled the remaining few minutes of the game out two win the match. Grammar 22 v Mackie 24.

There was a lot of compliments from parents, coaches and the referee to say how well both teams played. A hard but fair contest making for a brilliant match to watch. Mackie played to their full potential. In addition to those named in the report above there were strong runs from Rory Coull on the wing, and Henry, Douglas, Stefan, James, Murray and Hughie all deserve a special mention for their tackling efforts today. I felt proud as a coach to watch them play.

I could have chosen a number of players as man of the match. Henry scoring tries and being solid in defence. Murray tackling, scoring, holding up tries, Douglas for his work rate off the ball, tackling and first in to nearly every ruck, but Hughie Russell playing full back made strong runs, and hard tackles throughout the match but his final diving tap tackle saved the game and was both my choice the Mackie team choice and the Grammar team choice for man of the match. Well done Hughie.

Mackie now face Caithness next week in the final of the Culblean Shield.

Mark Goalen, U13s Lead Coach