Aberdeen Grammar given the Blues by slick Madras U15s

Madras Blues.....................55

A blustery welcome awaited Madras Blues U15s as they ventured north to play their SRU Caledonia Cup semi-final against Aberdeen Grammar School.

The coaches had made a few changes to the team which had secured the semi-final place and, as Madras kicked-off into the wind, a much fancied Aberdeen side lined up believing their place in the final was within reach.

The ball, safely collected by Aberdeen, was swamped by Madras forwards as they stormed down the park and disrupted play in the hosts’ half.

After a few phases, the ball found its way into the hands of Ross Christie on the wing and he crashed through a dazed defence for an early try.

Aberdeen’s restart was collected and the forwards drove the ball up-field and released it through the hands of the backs to Ross for another score.

Dominant forward support play and an immense tackle rate continued to thwart a very good Aberdeen side and Alexander Samuel and Thomas Bates rewarded the forward effort with a try each.

A blistering run saw Mungo Sommerville add a further score before Aberdeen found some composure and displayed their potential, yielding a neat score just before half-time.

A comfortable lead going into the second half had been squandered in the quarter final against Perth and Madras were not prepared to experience that pain again.

After the break, the energetic and accurate work-rate continued.

The swirling wind had made the conversion count unusually low, however, Harry Mercer’s boot was working fine in other departments as he again chipped through the Aberdeen back line, this time collecting the ball and sprinting in for a try.

Further tries from Jack Eglinton, Mungo and Ross completed a very solid team performance with the game closing out at 51-5 for the Blues.

A spokesman for the club said: “While this was a high quality game and an outstanding team display, fitness levels and work ethic will need to step up another gear as Madras now go into the final at Station Park on Sunday, April 24 to face either Stirling County or Mackie Academy FP.”