Great win at the end of the season for U14

U14 came up against a tough Muntly team. Muntly arrived with 12 players, but although they were two clubs combined, they have been playing together all season and their players were strong rugby players. Every third, Ellon leant two players to Muntly to make sure it was 14 a side. Although it made a better game at 14 a side it was very disruptive to the Ellon team, shown by the forwards not getting into full stride this game.
In an even start to the game, Ellon scored first. From a scrum Ellon gained a penalty in the second phase, taking it quickly the ball went through the hands for Adam Fowlie to score on the wing.
Muntly came back strong and the game was even for the next 15 mins, however Moray did score 2 tries and 2 conversions during the first third to go into the break 3 – 8 in the lead.
The second third, Ellon had worked out the stronger Muntly players and shut them down well when they attacked, and used their own stronger runners to score with. From a penalty 8m from the line, Lewis Milne drove over; Muntly tried to clear their lines, but the kick went straight to Fraser Chalk who ran hard through the defence to score. Ben Dickie converted. Adam Fowlie then interacted well with Jack Duncan after a good ball from Stevie Gray. Adam went over and under the posts making his own conversion easier. Muntly came back with a try and conversion, using a crash ball over the line. Ellon had the last score this third as Fraser came up from full back in attack, passing wide to Adam to score again. This second period Ellon won 14 – 4, now 17 – 12 to Ellon.
The final third, and a few changes in the team. Ewan Orus at Standoff came off, after battling his cold for the first 40. A slight reshuffle with Stevie Gray moving in one and Lewis Duncan went from flanker to centre. Try count this third was 5 to 1 to Ellon as Ellon stepped up, with excellent fitness and hard work to move the ball through the phases and then wide to strong fast players. Adam and Jack interacted with multiple offloads between them for Adam to go over and score. Next Fin Hagen made a great break, delaying the pass until he was free enough to pass to Adam to score. Ben Dickie converted. Moray then sneaked a try as Ellon relaxed too much, running hard through the back-peddling team. Fraser Chalk broke away but as he was tackled offloaded and the ball was passed to Jake Duncan to score. Again, converted by Ben. Stevie Gray ran hard from standoff and a gap opened, making 20 m and passing wide for Jack to score again. Finally, from the next kick off, Ellon’s Arran Whitaker took a great catch and made 20m before being caught, however working hard he got to ground and presented well, Ben Dickie took the ball, running 65m and scoring under the posts, whilst being heavily chased down by Muntly wingers. Ben also converted his try, ending the game. Winning the final third, 18 – 3 and the overall game 35 – 15.
A strong all round performance, but some dominant play by Ellon backs. A good win to end the year and first half of the season.