Moray hosted Mackie U14s at Gordonstoun School in the Culblean Cup on Sunday 1st February. Mackie were without a few of their usual squad but by borrowing some U15s and U13s, just managed to form a full team of 15.

With both teams looking similar in size and speed it felt the game should be an even contest. Moray had the phycological edge from our previous fixture, but for the first 5 to 10 minutes Mackie showed just how much they had progressed from the previous meet early in the season. Mackie were holding their structure in attack, they looked threatening when they had the ball, and they were retaining possession in the breakdown. But the Moray defence was solid and hard to penetrate. The Mackie defence was a little ragged leaving gaps for the Moray boys to break through, and that was to be Mackie’s downfall. The Moray boys managed to run through gaps then demonstrate their handling skills and get over the try line.

After Moray ran in a few tries in quick succession, the Mackie boys lost a bit of confidence and with-it structure. With the added pressure a few handling errors crept in compounding the issues and things were leaning more and more in Moray’s favour. That was until Broady Early playing number 9 saw an opportunity, with a pick and go from a ruck on the halfway line, took off through gap and was able to outpace their retreating defence to score beneath the posts. Sandy Broadly converted to get Mackie a much needed 7 points on the board, and more importantly an injection of confidence for the whole team.

It became a solid battle of some good rugby on both sides hammering it out. Moray’s superior defence continued to make it hard for Mackie to score and Mackie’s weaker defence continued to let Moray through. But Mackie did not make it easy and they did not give up.

As the game went on Moray had built an unrecoverable lead. But with about 20mins to go there was a shift in favour of Mackie. Possibly superior fitness, or the motivational chat beneath the posts, or just a dogged determination to finish strong Mackie started to look more threatening. Wave after wave of attack looked like they could score again. They had two or three chances where they got the ball out to the wing and made significant ground only to be pushed into touch by the defence. The Mackie boys kept at it, working their way up the field taking the contact, recycling the ball in the break down inched closer and closer to the line. Murray Mclaughlin able to drive over to score Mackie’s second try. Well deserved for his massive effort in both defence and attack throughout the whole game. Sandy converted again getting Mackie up to 14 points on the board.

This only lifted the boys confidence further and they kept the pressure on, they wanted to score again. Working their way up the field with only 5mins to go Mackie won a penalty close to the line. This gave a chance for a tap and go. Murray McLauglin did not miss it crashing through the wall of defenders to score his second try. Sandy able to convert 3/3 showed what the Mackie boys can do when they believe in themselves.

The final score Moray 60 v Mackie 21. A convincing win for Moray, but great learning for Mackie who had momentum at the end.

A big thanks to the U13s and U15s who joined our squad today. They all played a massive part in the performance of the team.

Mark Goalen, U14s Assistant Coach

Big thanks to the U14s Team Sponsor - McKnight Associates!

Mackie RFC - SC051025

Moray RFC - Elgin

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