Wanderers started the match with 15 players available due to a couple of late call offs so 2 subs (Mackie had 14).
We played 3 x 15 minutes with coaches allowed to get involved during breaks in play to coach any specific aspects.
The weather for the first 15 minutes was misty drizzle making handling difficult. Wanderers started very well and had Mackie pinned in their 22 for much of the period. However, handling errors cost us a try as Mackie picked up a loose ball, hit their left touchline and ran the length of the field to score in the corner. The conversion was missed to leave the score 0-3.
We took the tap and pass and again pressed hard only to then turn the ball over again after some good initial play to allow Mackie to again break away and score, this time with the conversion made to give them a 0-7 lead.
With time running out in the first period, we again pushed forward and some good hard running, sensible offloading and excellent breakdown work saw Kaiden drive in near the posts, Campbell kicking the conversion with ease. 1/3 finished with the score AWRFC 4 - 7 Mackie.

After a quick discussion about making good tackles and sensible passing / offloading, Mackie received the ball and piled straight through the middle of our defence to score under the posts, which was duly converted - 4 - 11 to Mackie. However, we were now playing very well. Our scrum was solid and Flynn managed to hook to put ins against the head. Our tackling tightened up a bit and we also won ball through 3 or 4 counter rucks.
Fergus was causing mayhem at inside centre as well as strong running from Sam, Flynn, Kaiden and James. The result was Finley Nicholson bursting through tackles to score near the posts (and not 5m out), again the conversion was made to pull us back to one unconverted try behind. 8-11

From the restart, Mackie had a good series of play to eventually score with a decent opportunity to kick the extra point but the conversion was missed to make the score 8 -14.
Once again, we kept focused and some good work into the Mackie 22 saw Flynn shake off half their team to score next to the posts for an easy conversion. End of 2nd period score was 12- 14.

We had a conversation about tackle height and getting the shoulder in before our last push and, with the weather changing to sunshine, Wanderers dominated the final period with the best play of the match. We received the ball deep in our 22 and following some good set up work, Cam hit the right wind and chipped ahead outpacing the majority of the defence. A further kick off the floor towards the posts saw their last man pull his shirt to prevent a certain score so a penalty try was awarded and we took the lead for the first time. 16 -14 Wands.
Mackie restarted but excellent work in the breakdown and in defence saw Samuel break through, outpace their defence and run in towards the posts, again converted by Cam. 20 - 14.

Mackie started again but, once again, the defence stood up and we turned the ball over. good interplay was then followed by a mazy run from Cam which saw a few side steps before touching down under contact, Fergus stepped up to convert to leave the score 24-14 with 4 minutes left. Mackie has a couple of injuries so we dropped to a 12 a side match.

Mackie then pressed hard but our play was great and two open field tackles on the sidelines put the attacker into touch and prevented scores. Mackie played well in the last minute continuing to press and they were rewarded with the final score of the match which they converted to leave the score 24 -18 to Wands (5T, 5C & 1 PT to 5T, 3C).

Brilliant performance against a team who are playing in a higher league this season. We have a very good squad to select from and, with continued improvements, will be a tough prospect for anyone on our day.

Thanks to Euan Smeaton for refereeing and a wee bit of coaching on the field. Everything was very clear for the kids and very balanced. The game was played in really good spirits throughout.