Playing Aberdeen Rugby Seconds at the Meadows in the Caley 2 NE league, the winner was more than likely to make the top three when the cut happens soon, while the looser the bottom of the cut.
It clearly meant a lot to Aberdeen who had a number of First XV (National 1 league) playing in the team, including their influential stand off and Ex Ellon lad Ali Addy.
Game started evenly with Aberdeen missing an early penalty kick, Ellon turned the ball over a couple of times but Aberdeen stole it back and went wide to score with a missed conversion.
From the restart and next phase, Callum Cruickshank kicked the ball out of a ruck, followed it, over taking two players and kicked again for Keith Esson to score, conversion missed also.
The cold wind didn’t slow Ellon down as they gathered pace, with forwards and backs interacting well, breaking lines and passing to Doug Sharp to steam roller the Aberdeen fullback to score. Conversion missed again. The weather turned to a heavy squall and in the intense hail, Keith Esson went over again, conversion missed for 15 – 5. Quickly Aberdeen got back on the ball and although their flanker broke too early from a scrum and was 3m offside, he stole the ball and scored a converted try under the posts. 15 – 12.
Again Aberdeen attacked well, breaking away on the wing to score for 15 – 17. However, in an end to end exciting game, Ellon took the last points this half as they used the backs and very fast hands to pass to Keith Esson to score a converted try at half time. 22 – 17.
Second half and early on Ellon take a couple of injures as Callum Addy comes off. His brother playing for Aberdeen takes advantage of this change and scores 22 – 24.
Again Ellon rally as both teams keep exchanging tries. A strong series of pick and goes by Ellon and then three passes wide to Doug Sharp see the influential number 8 score his second. 29 – 24. Again Aberdeen return the try and score with a conversion. 29 – 31. And the difference comes when Aberdeen get another by retrieving a kick and following up well, scoring in the corner. 29 – 38. Ellis Swainston the barrels over using his immense strength to gain meters and reach for the line. Callum Cruickshank kicks the extras. 36 – 38. Aberdeen have the final say with a late try. 36 – 45.
A very entertaining game and showed that Ellon are one of the top teams in this league. Competing against a loaded Aberdeen team, and almost winning shows how well they have come on. Biggest shame is that from the top four teams, Ellon Grammar, Banff and Ellon only 3 can go into the top half of the split. It is now mathematically impossible for Ellon to be in the top three.

The League will split soon with top three joining the top three from Caley 2 NW and the bottom three from each joining. Ellon will be with Shetland and Deeside from the NE and join with Ross Sutherland, Lochaber and Stornoway for the reworked league. Good thing is that Ellon should carry full points through (20) as they take through the points they have been awarded against the teams they have already played in the first half. This is Shetland and Deeside who Ellon have beaten already once and are the last two games to be played, both of which should be wins.

This Saturday Ellon have a rest from the League with a Cup game against Moray, who are top of Caley 2NW. It will be interesting to see the difference between the NE and NW teams in Caley 2. Game is a 12:30 KO due to the Scotland game, come down for a BBQ lunch watch the game, and have a beer after watching Scotland!