Match Report - Sunday 13/11/16 - Mackie (4) v Ellon (46)

Victory was secured by the Ellon U13 squad today on a cold wet day at Stonehaven. This was the first time this season Ellon have managed to field all their eligible U13 players and it certainly boosted the whole teams confidence and performance.

The first period started with 15 a side rather than have too many subs standing about in the rain. Ellon kicked to Mackie and advanced fast closing them down and winning a scrum. The Mackie scrum half immediately tackled the Ellon scrum half however Liam Park got the ball away. This resulted in Finlay Hagen receiving the ball and running in the first try of the game in 70 seconds. Buoyed by the early score Sam Douglas was next to score on the 5 minute mark after the forwards rucked hard and moved the ball through the centre of the field. Ellon then started using their backs to good effect with Fin Ritchie running in tries at 9 minutes and 12.30 minutes. Ellon then scored a fifth try at the end of the first period with Ryan Dickie converting 4 of the 5 kicks. Mackie 0 v 19 Ellon.

The second period saw Fin Ritchie, Patrick Bridges and Liam Park come off to allow the subs on including Charlie Skinner and Harris MacLeod. Once again Ellon started strong and pushed Mackie back into their own half with Fin Hagen taking a second try in the 3rd minute. Mackie finally settled and started to push back into Ellon's half. There were a few handling errors creeping in however this was to be expected on a wet day with the ball akin to a bar of soap! Mackie started applying some pressure however Ellon countered with good hard rucking winning the ball and Ryan Dickie sprinted a good 60 metres to score in the 7th minute. Ryan then did the same again in the 9th minute running another good 60 metres down the wing to score his second try. Ryan also converted all three tries in the second period. Mackie 0 v 31 Ellon. Under the SRU rules the game had effectively been won as there was now over 30 points difference in the score.

Mackie wished to continue with the game so the third period opened with Mackie showing some fighting spirit which resulted in Ellon being caught on the hop as Mackie ran in their only try within 30 seconds of the kick off. The match then settled into some steady midfield play with a few scrums going either way for both teams. Ellon then got the upper hand as Dylan Kemp distributed the ball well from his fly half position as Mackie tired and Finlay Hagen ran in tries in the 6th and 9th minute and Fin Ritchie ran in a further two tries in the 11th and 14th minutes of the game. Final score Mackie 4 v 46 Ellon.

All the U13 squad put in an excellent shift today, and the results proved that the whole team worked hard and tirelessly to keep possession of the ball, fighting hard and winning the majority of the rucks and bringing home a well deserved victory.

Well done lads.

Best Forward of the Match: Sam Douglas
Best Back of the Match: Ryan Dickie
Best Rugby Attitude: Patrick Bridges