In a game that had been called off twice already due to weather, it got the go ahead , but in cold gale force conditions with driving snow at times! Ellon against Aberdeen Wanderers was a grudge match after the meet in in the Red Conference a few weeks back. This time the tension didn’t affect the Ellon lads who were up for the game. Although they did get caught napping in the first 2 mins allowing Wanderers to score first. This however was the only score they had Saturday. Ellon really turned up the pace, strength, always a 1m onside to ensure they were not penalised as last time and with fantastic discipline. Ellon quickly scored one back, and followed this up with a great break by Ross Greig, to pass 2v1 to Ryan Notton to score. After an exchange of turn overs, Ellon broke via Nathan Shirron at 9 from the scrum, who passed to Greig to score, conversion hitting the cross bar! Sam Archiebald then used great strength and pace to run a 4th try in. Second half and Ellon continued the pressure and scored further tries by Ovall, Notton again, and finally Jack Martin ripped the ball off the Wanderers 9 after a scrum to steal the ball back and roll over the line for a final 7th try. The game was stopped 10 minutes early due to an injury to a Wanderers player, who recovered after a check by the medics.
No conversions on the day (due to the weather) but a very convincing win for Ellon who progress in the Caledonia Cup 35 - 5. Mackie next in the cup at home. Date TBC.
Ellon S1&2 combined headed down to St Andrews on a chilly morning this Sunday. Pitches were good on the coast in Fife and the weather was kind.
They played S1 rules but 15 aside, which suited both teams, Madras are used to playing S1/2 together as it is how they play usually, while Ellon normally play S1 and S2 separately.
The game was split into three twenty minute periods, and Ellon treated it as three separate “games” so as to use all players and change a few positions about.
In the first period, Ellon started a little slow and let Madras take a couple of tries early lead. Madras lacking a good kicker, the score was kept to tries only. Ellon started to push back with some good forward breaks and runs, but the slower support play meant they missed out too often. A couple of 3v2 on the wings were scuppered by flat running also. Ellon held up against a strong Madras scrum, even turning over one against the head as S1 Dylan Kemp from flanker scrapped the ball back as it was popping out. Madras scored a couple more tries along with the conversions. Ellon again probed with the forwards and got to within 10 meters of the try line, before Madras turned the ball over. Next tackle Kemp stole the ball back and regained the lost ground before, repeated penalties from Madras, led to 5 m penalty which was run in by S2 prop Craig, converted by S1 Ewan Orus. Final Score in the first third/game was 18 – 4 to Madras.
Second period, Ellon made 4 subs and had a slight rearrange of the team. It became a hard 20 minutes, with the defensive line not pushing up enough and missed tackles, although Madras used good game sense to target players to beat. Madras took the third 13 – 0.
For the final third, Ellon swapped the team a third time to play the strongest team they could for that period. Although both sets of players were tiring, Ellon pushed hard this third. Much more aggressive in the breakdown Ellon won most of the rucks, and turned ball over in the maul also. At scrum they began to dominate pushing Madras back and setting up a good foot hold for the backs. Some good passing from a scrum led to S2 James Hamilton going over for a well worked passing try, converted by Orus. From the kick off Ellon attacked again and used some good kicking to pin Madras back in the corner. From the line out Kemp broke at the back and made 15 m before being tackled and stripped as the remaining forwards were a little slow to react. However Ellon did get their defensive line up fast this third and really put Madras backs under pressure. They ended up dropping the ball and S1 Gregor McKenzie reacted first to pick up and score. For the first time this season Orus missed the conversion. From the next play Madras kicked an the bounce was lucky enough to come back to them to score and unconverted try. Final score in the final third/game was a win to Ellon 3 – 7.
Great to end the game with a winning third, even if they lost the whole game overall. Seeing as it was the first game since early December, it was a great challenge for the team.
Up next is Hillfoots away, also at S1/2 combined, on 14th February.
The U15 Sunday Caley Cup game was called off as the Meadows was frozen, while the U16 travelled to Inverness to play a very good Highland team. Highland ran out 51 – 3 winners as they dominated the game from the start. Ellon U16 now drop into the Caledonia Bowl competition, so still have a chance at silverware.
Not expecting any rugby matches this Saturday at the Meadows as it is the Calcutta match in BT Murrayfield as England come to play Scotland in the first weekend of the 6 Nations. With Scotland on the up and performing well in the world cup, and England suffering, it is a good time for Scotland to play them. A sell-out crowd will spur them on and it should be a close game.