Ellon Rugby First XV played away to Harris FP in Dundee last weekend. With Harris being bottom of the league, Ellon could have been fooled into expecting an easy game, but they knew they would have a battle on their hands.
In good conditions for rugby, but on a very uneven surface, Ellon started well for the first game in a while! Scoring first on 4 minutes, Ben Shirron back playing after a few months off, went in out wide for a 0-5 lead. However Harris showed they where going to play strong and offensively for the game by scoring a converted try quickly after. Ellon received a penalty and kicked to the corner. From the following line out Ellon set up a maul, with Sean “Chef” Aiken scoring after breaking from the back. 7-10. Ben Shirron showed how much he was missed by sniping from a ruck, beating three players but getting held up over the line. Ellon 8 Halmshaw, picked and went from the scrum and was unstoppable, making it 7-15. Harris slotted a penalty before Ellon went over for the forth bonus point try via Krisjan Gamble on the wing. Ellon were making it harder than they needed to, but Harris showed great enterprise with their attack. Half time saw a few changes as 17 year old Finlay Bridgeford came on for some experience as the U18 didn’t have a game this weekend. Harris really gambled and took advantage for a spell, scoring 2 tries and a penalty taking the lead 23-20. Ellon captain Brad Fraser took the ball in midfield at pace and showed excellent agility to step the Harris back three to score. The teams exchanged tries with Harris scoring and then Angus Criag for Ellon, but Harris still had the lead until Ross Grieg slotted the conversion to make it 30-32. Here is where Ellon went up one more gear with the big forwards smashing holes through the Harris defence. Mark Galloway broke and made 20 meters to score, then Ellis Swainstone used great strength to leg drive 10m to just reach the line. Final score was 30-44 to Ellon and maximum points to Ellon as they move back to 5th in the table. Hard home game next week as top of the table, unbeaten Strathmore head to the Meadows, having beaten Alloa 125-0 last weekend! This game will mark half way in the league for Ellon.

No games last weekend for the Youth as they break in the Lancer Conference.
This weekend Ellon Youth take on Muntly with all games in Elgin.

Ellon P7 headed to Ireland for a two day tour last weekend. See other report for how they did!

Fantastic news for Ellon Girl Eilidh Pirie who has made it into Caledonia U18 squad!