With the First XV getting their first win in the league this season away at Hillfoots, Ellon Youth taking maximum points on the Lancer Conference, the Girls squad playing as part of Grampian Girls, while the Juniors played a festival in Howe of Fife.

It was an emphatic 27-29 win over Hillfoots for Ellon first XV.
Again, it as a game of 2 halves where Ellon’s spark came alive in the second half. The guys were given an aim to start the game better then they have in the previous games, although some aspects improved, others still need working on.
Hillfoots opened the scoring after just 1 min where they moved the ball wide to score on the outside almost a mirror of the previous weeks try from Grangemouth. From the following kick off, Henry Cole stripped the ball from the opposition which resulted in some great attacking play from edge to edge putting the man who stripped the ball to score in the corner on the 3rd min.
From honey-potting at the ruck and cutting in on defence Hillfoots moved the ball wide allowing their 2nd try with some very poor tackling in the 8th min. Ryan Notton evened the score up on the 16th min to make it 12 a piece.
Ellon then went to sleep again allowing Hillfoots to run with the ball, whilst dropping off tackles. The home side then received two yellow cards, 1 for a head clash in the scrum (resulting in Jonny Munro coming off for the remainder of the game) and the other for leading with the elbow. Even with 2 men down Hillfioots still managed to score 2 more tries to finish the half 22-12.
Half time came and a few words of encouragement were spoken and this made a huge difference. Second half started with Ellon communication, conviction and intent going through the roof where from the kick off Lochlann Bridgeford went over in the 41st min.
Ellon’s' defence was completely different in the second half where the blitz and drift defence kept Hillfoots from mounting any form of attack. From a scrum where Hillfoots turn over they went to kick but Callum Addy charged down the kick resulting in Douglas Sharp picking up and scoring on the 57th min.
Ellon mount another great attack from some really hard running from Ewan Shearer, Mark Galoway, Ellis Swainston and Douglas Sharp, and Ryan Notton scored in the corner for Ellon’s 3rd try in the second half in the 60th min, to put Ellon in front 22-29.
Hillfoots hit back in the 64th min to score the last try of the game with a lapse in concentration to bring the score to 27-29, the wind playing a big part in the kickers not being able to find the spot.
This was a fantastic effort on the road by the Meadows side with their young front rowers stepping up and really impressing their team mates. Man of the Match was Ewan Shearer.
Head Coach Craig Parslow said “It’s been exciting at the club these past few weeks with good numbers at training meaning that players are now playing for the jersey. As the guys who have been playing have been doing so extremely well, those that have been away need to work hard and impress this week to show why they should make the squad”.
Next week Ellon have the local derby at home where they take on Aberdeen Wanderers at the Meadows with a 15:00 KO.

Meanwhile Ellon Youth continued their Lancer Conference fixtures with a set of home game against Dundee Rugby. Dundee have been struggling this season and were low on numbers for the trip north.
U18 played a development game, but put a number of Ellon players into the Dundee team to ensure both had a decent game.
U15 game had to be cancelled as Dundee couldn’t raise a team, with full points to Ellon.
U14 again was a development game with a couple of Ellon lads assisting Dundee.
While U13 continued their unbeaten run, 33-3.
U16 also played in a non-development game, however the Dundee team was no match for the fit U16 team. Ellon played a number of U15 in the squad to game some experience, however Dundee were no match. Ellon scored off the first kick off, and continued to score with no return from Dundee. Tries to Daniel Gillies, Finlay Hagen (2), Ben Dickie(2), Adam Fowlie, Fraser Chalk and Kai Taylor, along with 8 conversions by Den Dickie some from the side line in a strong breeze. Man of the match to Ben Dickie. 56-0 to Ellon in under 30 minutes meant the game was over as when games reach a 50-point deficit the game is classed as completed. The second half was played as a development game with Ellon giving over a number of players to ensure it was more even.
Ellon Girls played at Huntly pitches for Grampian Girls, in games at U15 and U18 against Highland. Although Highland won both games, the Grampian (and Ellon) Girls got excellent game time and played some fantastic rugby.
Finally, Juniors went to Howe of Fife for a festival, playing at every age band against some great opposition, the boys and girls had some excellent games to develop their skills as they build to tournament season after Christmas.

This weekend Ellon First XV play Aberdeen Wanderers at the Meadows at 15:00 in what will be a great local derby in Caledonia 1. The Youth have a break in the Lancer conference, but as a club who want to play in the National Shogun Conference, they play two sets of matches against Shogun teams. This weekend it is Highland from Inverness. Playing Saturday 13:00 for U18, Sunday at 12:00 for U13 and U14, then 14:00 at U15 and U16.