4 of Mackie's u14 girls met at a breezy but dry Deeside rugby ground to participate in their first festival of the season. Joined by friends from Deeside and Moray, Mackie were to face opposition from Fraserburgh, Ellon and Garioch. Shaking off the off season rust saw powerful carrying from all of the girls, who must have been taking tips from the Fijiana team at the World Cup.

The first game ended 7-5 in Mackie's favour.

Moving on to new opposition, a well drilled Ellon team caused many headaches with excellent link play and use of the wide channels. The eventual score did not flatter Ellon. The conditions and the hard ground started to take their toll with bumps and scrapes all round, with all sides having reduced numbers for their final game.

Mackie lined up against Garioch, with runners on both sides looking for space. Despite lower numbers, defence on both sides had improved and the game finished 3-2 against Mackie.

The girls have identified some of their own work-ons ahead of next week's training and now resting up the bumps and scrapes, ready for the next challenge. Our Mackie Player of the festival, for relentless effort in carrying, tackling and all round presence on the Pitch was Sophia Russell in her first youth girls outing.

Derek Nutten, U14 Girls Coach