A game that got away from Ellon. Once again a good performance by the team but just missed out on a number of occasions.
Starting well and using a mix of backs and forwards as Ellon moved around the park. Garioch were not sitting back though and increased pressure from them saw Garioch score a converted try from a knock on.
Both teams skirted the offside line and Doug Sharp took a yellow card for a late tackle. For the ten minutes he was off, Ellon defended well and kept Garioch under pressure. As soon as Sharp came back on Ellon received a penalty and Stewart Cruickshank slotted the three points. Ellis Swainston then had a huge break and run before being tackled and offloading for Danny McGregor to score under the posts. Again, Cruickshank slotted the extra. This had Ellon leading heading to half time 10 - 7. Garioch had the last say as they scored two tries with great hands, passing to the wings. Half time showed 10 - 19.
Garioch came out and score another try and two penalties for 10 - 32. Hit with a hammer blow, Ellon found it hard to regather, but regather they did and had all the pressure in the last 12 minutes. With repeated penalties on the line Garioch held Ellon back before Danny went over for his second and a conversation to Cruickshank. Garioch received a yellow also but it was too late as Garioch took the game 17 - 32.
Grammar and Banff both won which leaves Ellon 4th with Grammar to play next Saturday. Fixtures now KO at 14:00 because of the light (or lack of it!).

U18 also played Saturday with the first fixture for the Youth in the Red Conference against Perthshire this weekend. Ellon boys quite aggrieved after losing by 1 point last time, came out with a strong team and a strong attitude. Taking an early 10 0 lead, the lads, pushed hard, but a couple of knocks and subs gave a change that Perthshire took advantage off. A try got things closer before Ellon scored again. Both clubs then exchanged scores, with Ellon probably carrying the ball in the wrong areas a little too much. A close finish to the game with a final score of 20 - 16. The referee managed the game excellently which gave a flowing game and maintained the players discipline.

Sunday saw the remainder of the Red Conference games. U13 and U14 both kicked off at 11:00.
Ellon U13 returned to the pitch after the October School holiday break, however they could only field 12 players with no subs for the game against a strong opposition. Perth agreed to field 12 players to make a fairer game, however they started strongly and scored their first try in the first minute of the game. The Ellon boys certainly put in a great effort throughout the whole match with some great clearing out of rucks and winning and pushing back Perth in the scrum, however they just could not capitalise on their chances and the final score does not reflect the great effort all the lads made, however they will need to go back to basics with the tackles.
First period ended Ellon (0) v Perth (22). Second period ended Ellon (4) v Perth (13)
This brought the score to over 30 points of a gap between the teams, therefore according to U13 SRU Red Conference rules the game had been won by Perth.
The final 15 minute period of play went ahead as a development game. After the game the Perth coaches commented that the Ellon boys had certainly given them more of a game from the last time we played them in Perth.
Awards :
Best Forward: Sam Douglas (Captain)
Best Back: Ryan Dickie
Best Rugby Attitude: Liam Park

U14 were also aggrieved after they should have won down in Perth a few weeks back, but a constant offside by the opposition really stopped the game for Ellon. With a few players away or injured still Ellon played with only a couple of subs, but came through with their best performance for the season. Letting Perthshire score first with a wide pass, Ellon gathered and attacked well using their big forwards to batter up the middle and then pass wide. Ellon scored through Ben Dickie with a fantastic conversion from the side line by Adam Fowlie, but allowed Perthshire to score another. Ellon took the first third 11 – 6 with further scores by Adam Fowlie and James Myers with Dickie converting one.
Despite some great attacks by Perthshire, Ellon defence held strong, using ruck defence and line speed to keep Perthshire at bay. When Ellon got the ball, they attached strongly, breaking away to score. Ben Dickie ran 60m, tackled as he went over the line to score. Adam Fowlie converted.
Perthshire didn't score again for the rest of the game with Ellon scoring in both to take all three thirds and the overall game. In the second third, Ross Stewart and Fin Hagen went over for fine forward scores, both converted by Dickie and Fowlie.
The final third was tough as the young players continued to push forward with their fitness showing key. In the last-minute Captain Dylan Kemp received the ball in Perthshire 22 and ran to the line, throwing a dummy and sidestepping three defenders to score. Final score 25 - 6 to Ellon.
A very good and well deserved win for the U14 who had been playing well for the season but just been unlucky. Hard game next to Deeside Wanderers away in Banchory.

U15 played a developing Perthshire team and at half time the score was 53 - 0 to Ellon. At this point the game is stopped and recorded as 50 - 0. The remainder of the game is played as a development game. A very good win for an Ellon team that is doing very well, now sitting comfortably in second.

U16 played a strong U16 team and only had 14 players. They matched Perthshire throughout the game but the one player down and no subs paid its toll as Perthshire went on to record a 19 - 32 win.

In the overall club standings, Ellon are third, 2 points behind this weekend’s opposition Deeside Wanderers.

This Saturday sees Ellon first XV play Aberdeen Grammar at 14:00 KO at the Meadows and U18 play Deeside Wanderers at 13:00 at Groats Road Aberdeen. Then Sunday the U13 and U14 KO at 11:00 and U15 U16 13:00 also against Deeside Wanderers.
The girls also travel to Huntly to play in a regional hub game, where the girls from the region come together and play games.

Junior Section head to Hillfoots for a festival.

In addition to the rugby, Ellon Rugby Club had a charity weekend where coaches dressed up, did soak the coach, had a ladies day and a raffle, all for Cancer research. One of the Trustees nephews is suffering from Non Hodgkin Lymphoma. The same age as a number of the rugby boys, the club rallied and raised almost £1,500!
That evening the club held is annual Halloween party, boosted by the ladies from Ladies day who stayed on to party the evening away!