Ellon First XV missed out last week on their game against Highland Seconds at the Meadows due to frozen pitches. This weekend they travelled to Shetland on the Aberdeen ferry Friday night and played Saturday lunchtime in an early kick off. In a game they expected to win, they still took a strong team up. Which is a sign that the team is in a good place and fully invested in the season.
The game went better than expected, with Ellon coming out 10-85 winners! This continues Ellon’s dominance of Caledonia 2N, with them 49 points and top of the league by 9 points. Up next is Mackie at the Meadows Saturday at 14:00, Ellon Rugby would like a big crowd for the local derby. Mackie sitting mid-table and 19 points below Ellon, were beaten by Ellon near the start of the season in Stonehaven 14-27.

Ellon U18 finally had their National Cup game, after 2 cancelled games due to frozen pitches. Boroughmuir travelled to Ellon and both teams battled it out in very windy cold conditions at the Meadows. It was deadlock with no score for the first fifteen minutes, until Boroughmuir took the lead. Boroughmuir kept the lead, but Ellon kept close, scoring every time Boroughmuir did. With 10 minutes left a Boroughmuir forward deliberately knocked the ball on and was yellow carded. Ellon pushed for the winning try, and another Boroughmuir forward deliberately knocked the ball on. He was also yellow carded and that left them with 13 men for the final 4 minutes. Ellon tried hard to score, but in the process pushed too much allowing Boroughmuir to intercept and score the winning try. Final score was 12 – 22, Ellon are knocked out of the National Cup. Ellon U18 are now into the Caledonia Cup, where Montrose or Kirkcaldy await for a home game.

Ellon U16 didn’t have a game, however the U15, U14 and U13 took on local Private School Robert Gordons. U13 and U14 played in Aberdeen and U15 at Ellon.

In what is a both a local derby and a school v club game, Ellon welcomed Robert Gordons U15 to the Meadows for a Saturday morning fixture. The game was played in three 20 minute periods to ensure player rotation. Both clubs had big squads and wanted all to get a game.
The game started close as both teams tested each other. Ellon were expecting a tough game from the private school, however Ellon built up the possession and played fully in the RGC half. On 11 minutes Adam Fowlie broke away, handing off two players to score, however it was the hard work inside him from the forwards and Euan Bonner at centre that got him the ball. Ben missed the conversion as it was a very wide kick. The third continued as previously and Ellon dominated the possession but RGC held out. 5-0, 1st third.
In the second third, both teams fully swapped out their substitutes to get all game time. It didn't take long for Ellon to score as Ellon now built up the pressure again. RGC wanted to use the ball with their forwards, however the Ellon pack was much bigger and stronger. This strength over powered RGC in the scrum and breakdown area. Jack Duncan at 6 received the ball at the half way line after a number of penalties for Ellon. It was backs and forwards interaction to release Jack who ran 50 meters to score under the posts. Ben Dickie converted. At the kick off Ellon received and immediately went on the attack. Calum Caven (playing his school mates!) went on a huge run, breaking tackles and making ground. Ellon recycled the ball and in the third phase Calum received the ball and scored the phases he started. Conversion missed. Finally this third, Archie Falconer used his pace and aggression to break clear and score under the posts. He however had to hand off two players in the process. Ben Dickie converted. This ended the third. 19 - 0 in the second half (24 - 0 overall).
The final third RGC put their strongest team back on while Ellon reshuffled to give a few players experience in different positions. A closer third, but dominated by Ellon possession again. Ellon scored via Dylan Kemp. Some of the best interaction between forwards and backs this season saw a team try finished by Dylan, after a great kick from Josh Andrew. Josh missed the conversion. Game continued and at the next breakdown, Calum Caven cleared the ball into touch for his club team to beat his school team 29-0!
It was a great overall team performance, all players playing very well. Jamie Brooks and Calum Caven both got bragging rights Monday at school!
Special mention to the players of the match: Archie Falconer as Support player, Jack Duncan as Best Rugby Attitude player, and Calum Caven as Man of the Match. However all players put a great shift in, especially as it has been 6 weeks since the last contact session/game of rugby.
Tackle of the day goes to Stevie for hitting the huge RGC prop, easy 2 stone more than him, and driving him back and then to the ground!
Friendly at Highland next weekend for the U15 before the Caledonia Cup home game the following week.

U13 played a fantastic game and won away 0-18 (5 tries and 3 conversions), U14 played some of the best rugby of the season and won 0-50!
Overall Ellon beat the private school with a combined score of 0-97!

This weekend, Ellon U13 and U14 play Highland at the Meadows, while U15 travel to Inverness to play Highland. Ellon U16 play in the National Cup quarter finals against Dunfermline. KO is 14:00 Sunday and Ellon welcome a big support crowd.