Travelling with 17 players, before the game started Ellon lost two players to fitness tests. Logan Vavangas to an ankle injury and Adam Fowlie a back muscle twinge. Here's hoping they are fit for next week.
Playing four quarters of 15 mins, if gave breaks for coaches to adjust players and tactics.
Ellon had worked hard on restarts in training, and received the first kick off running hard into the West half. This led to three rucks, with Ellon keeping the ball tight in the forwards. Off the fourth phase Tom Gray went over for the first try of the game and season. Well deserved for a lad who has had a great preseason training at loose head prop. Converted by Ewan Orus.
Ben Dickie soon took advantage of a sleepy West midfield and sidestepped to the try line. Converting his own try. Final try this quarter went to Ross Stewart. Hooker went over from a 20 m interception and run in. 11 - 0.
Second quarter saw Finlay Ritchie score a great individual "try", but scored on the 5 m line! From the subsequent scrum, Ewan Orus snipped from 9 to score. Converted by Ben Dickie. Two tough scrums as West finally got the right boys in the right positions. However Ross took a ball against the head and from the scrum, passes to the centres for Fin Ritchie to score (on the try line this time!). Converted by Ewan Orus. 19 - 0 at half time.
In the third quarter Ellon worked at lifting in the line out and back row attack and defence in the scrum. Ewan Orus put in some great kicks to put the Ellon team on the attack. One time turning defence into attack, for Ben Dickie to score and convert his own try. Fin Ritchie, who had now been moved to back row, ran in another try using his height, pace and strength to score on the wing. Dylan Kemp took the next try. Working very hard the whole game as flanker, tackling and turning ball over, offloading to the speedsters. This time he took the ball from the West number Eight, handed off two players and went in, moving towards the posts to give Ben Dickie an easier kick. 30 - 0.
The final quarter, full back Euan Bonner went off to rest an ankle knock. After having a fantastic game. Great positioning for catches and putting in the tackles against the big lads when 1 on 1. This left Ellon with 14 players against West 15. It was decided to keep it that way to try and even the game out.
James Myers scored, making good ground after good passing from the scrum. Converted by Ewen Orus.
Ellon were complacent at a kick off and West caught them unawares, getting behind Ellon. From here West scored wide on the wing.
Lewis Duncan (second row, playing centre) scored after three phases and then passing wide. Converted by Ben Dickie. James Myers then scored a second before Fin Ritchie completed his hat trick. Both converted, one to each kicker, who have been taking it in turns to kick all game.
Finally at the death, West scored from a scrum that Ellon slipped in defence.
Final score 6 - 46 to Ellon.
12 tries and 10 conversions.
A compelling win, but both teams got to learn a lot. Ellon will take the practice on line outs, and the phase play. With good defensive turn overs.
Best forward player went to Finlay Hagen for his running and hand offs. He will also take learning points on releasing the ball to the backs quicker.
Best back went to Ewen Orus for his sniping, kicking and conversions. A mention for Ben Dickie for his sight to run lines and score, as well as conversion kicking.
Finlay Ritchie also receives an award. Could have won either forward or back as he played both. A hat trick of tries and a few set ups.
Best Rugby Attitude went to Dylan Kemp. Fantastic at turning ball over and tackling, good captaincy and running the game.

Next weekend sees Ellon Rugby taking on Aberdeen Rugby in the first game of this seasons Red Conference.
Ellon U18 Saturday 13:00 at the Meadows, Sunday U13 and U14 ko at 11:00 at the meadows, U15 and U16 at 11:00 at Rubislaw, Aberdeen.