Ellon U16's progressed in to the semi final of the Caley cup on Sunday with a convincing win at the Meadows over local rivals Mackie. The game started at a hectic pace with several hard tackles made by both sides. Constant Ellon pressure led to a penalty 10 metres from the Mackie line and a well rehearsed set piece saw scrum half Nathan Shirron take a quick pass to stand off George Goodenough who offloaded to Ross Greig at centre taking the ball at full pace and crashing through the Mackie defence for a try.Unfortunately the conversion was missed. Score 5 - 0. A few minutes later, and only 10 minutes into the game, disaster struck as Goodenough took a knee to the face in a tackle which resulted in a double fracture of the cheeckbone and an immediate hospital visit. This was a very nasty injury and naturally rattled the team. When time was eventually re-started the necessary team shuffle saw Greig move to no 10, full back Henry come in to centre and Ryan Grant, 1st time back after long term injury, come on to put in a convincing shift at fullback.
Ellon settled down and the forwards had to to work hard and so they did - Gregor Pirie, Ed Rees and Fraser Cruichshank leading the way. Ellon won a penalty scored by Shirron so score moved to 8-0. Soon after, the forwards won a turnover and a quick clear out by Archie Andrade to Shirron to Greig to winger Ryan Notton saw a good team try in the corner. Conversion missed so score 13 - 0 at half time. Sensibly the Ellon lads took themselves off to the changing room to re-group after the traumatic 1st half.

In the 2nd half tempers frayed as Ellon pushed for the win and Mackie became frustrated. The killer blow came 15 mins from time when Greig broke through several Mackie players and sidestepped his way to the try line. Duly converted by Shirron, score now 20-0. At this point Ellon lost a couple of players through injury and and then another 2 due to yellow cards. They were down to 13 for the last 5 minutes but they held on for a deserved 20-0 win.

Cup semi final is scheduled for Sunday 5 April at the Meadows, Ellon v Highland.