Under sunny skies at Redcloak, Mackie U13s kicked off their season in style with a thrilling home fixture against Deeside. With an 11am start, the team wasted no time in showing their intent, starting strong and playing with real energy. Early tries from Mackie looked promising, but Deeside responded with sharp attacking play and well-executed conversions, edging into a narrow lead of 26-24 by halftime.

The break gave the new coaching squad their first chance to rally the players and remind them of the basics. The message landed well. In the second half, Mackie regrouped, settled into their new positions, and played with renewed focus and determination. Their efforts paid off with a string of impressive tries, and debutant Haz made his mark by converting 100% of his kicks — an outstanding performance in his first game in the role.

This match also marked the first outing for Mackie’s new coaching team. Ian in his new role as Lead Coach doing a super job of managing and inspiring play on and off the pitch. Aulay, Logan, and Ryan brought their combined experience and passion to the fore, guiding the squad through their transitions and challenges. Their commitment was clear on the touchline, and the players responded with effort, discipline, and a clear sense of purpose.

Having finished P7 as a united team, the squad showed they’ve returned stronger, more cohesive, and hungrier than ever. The continuity and full return of the squad were evident in their chemistry and determination. Their comeback and eventual win against Deeside wasn’t just a scoreline success — it was a statement of intent for the season ahead.

A fantastic first win of the campaign, full of effort, heart, and promise. One to remember.

Howie’s Hero for this match Freddie who set the bar high for this new MOTM award in honour of our new coach Ian Howie.

Mackie really are a super club and when the U14s heard U13 were a little short of players they stepped in to ensure they could field a full team and be covered for injuries. Huge thank you to our Mackie family for their help and giving up their Sunday.

Thank you to Duncan for refereeing his first game - he ensured it was a learning experience for both teams with patience.

Thank you also to the catering division for ensuring the full squad from home and away were well fed.

Sarah Chew, U13s Assistant Coach

A big thank you to the U13s Team Sponsor - McKnight Associates