Starting as little chilly in the breeze, the game kicked off with Ellon receiving and playing up hill. Banff started the strongest with 12 minutes of pressure that Ellon coped with well. However Banff scored two quick tries with both converted. Ellon pressurised the Banff line for an extended period, but repeated offences by Banff on the line should have led to a yellow, but only penalties given. Ellon decided to kick and Stewart Cruickshank kicked three points. 14 – 3. Ellon maintained the pressure and from a Banff lineout that was over thrown, Doug Sharp collect the ball at the back and powered over to score near the posts. Stewart Cruickshank then slotted the conversion. 14 – 10. Ellon defence then went into over drive to hold Banff back for 15 minutes. Ellon got a yellow card for a player offside, very harsh for a first offence, but the team continued to battle to half time. 10 minutes of loss of concentration led to two tries to Banff. One came from a loose kick, received and counter attacked well. Ellon then again pressured the Banff line and despite repeated offences, no card issued which only frustrated Ellon more. There was a little niggle in the game now and both sets of players got frustrated and there was no ball past third phase. Callum Addy kicked over the top and was taken out by two Banff players, causing another scuffle to break out. No penalty given the game restarted on a scrum to Banff. Eventually a card came for Banff in the last three minutes for repeated offences. Ellon then used some phase play to put Doug Sharp over again for a brace of tries. Final Score was Banff 33 15 Ellon, but the game was much closer than the score shows. The top 4 teams in the league are all very similar on the day and it often comes down to player availability. Ellon were short of backs this weekend with a flanker on one wing and no backs on the bench. If Ellon had two more backs, it could easily have been a different outcome.
With Grammar only just beating Deeside and Garioch just beating Shetland, Ellon sit 4th in Caledonia 2 NE behind Banff, Garioch and Grammar. Needing to finish in the top three to progress in the upper tier of Caledonia 2, the next three games are vital. Garioch, then Grammar at home, followed by Deeside away. This Saturday is a 15:00 KO against Garioch at the Meadows, in the first home game in 5 weeks!

This Saturday is also Ladies Day and the Haloween party so expect a big crowd. Ellon Rugby welcome all down to watch the game for free, with a BBQ and bar on.