The 4th of June saw Aberdeen Wanderers 1st XV take on Harris FP RFC, both teams competing to move up to the BT Caledonia League Division One. The game was played in Forfar, at the home on Strathmore RFC, in order to ensure neutrality. Although the boys were unaware of this opportunity until three weeks before the day, they had their heads held high and were determined play a very good game of rugby.

Wanderers demonstrated a very strong defence throughout the game, as well as showing off their excellent skills in attack. They were first to put numbers on the board, with Elliot Chadwick scoring the first try of the game and setting the score as five points to zero. This was followed by a straight 20 minutes of pure defence from the Wands, and eventually a try from the opposition, bringing the score up to five all. The boys kept the pressure on and proved their immense skills, but Harris managed to slip through and score another try, which this time was converted. This made the scored five points to twelve at half time.

The second half opened with a successful penalty kick from Tom Aplin, bringing Wanderers close behind with a score of 8-12. Harris soon achieved an opportunity to gain some points from a penalty, but they missed the posts. After many intense scrummages, Wanderers pressed on and score one more try, again scored by Elliot Chadwick, taking the lead with thirteen points to twelve. With less than twenty minutes remaining, the boys kept their heads up and continued to focus on the next job. At this point the supporters thought that Wanderers had managed to secure their win. However, Harris demonstrated some quick moves in attack and scored another try, and a conversion took the score to 13-19. The Wanderers did not put their heads down, they continued the intense work rate they had demonstrated throughout the game. This proved effective, but Harris scored one last try in one of the final plays, leaving the score as 13-26 as the final whistle blew.

The boys demonstrated some very good rugby, and the score does not reflect on the closeness of the game and the intense, exciting atmosphere surrounding the pitch. The Wanderers’ Man of the Match was awarded to Elliot Chadwick. Even though Aberdeen Wanderers first XV remain in the BT Caledonia League Division Two North for another season, the rest of the club have high hopes for them and believe they have the skills to achieve first place in the league this coming season.