P6 at Ellon Festival

Well, what can we say! Outstanding from the team on Saturday on our home turf to keep the P6 Festival trophy in safe hands! It was especially pleasing as last year we were a whisker away from the final and ended up in a very comfortable game for 3rd place and I felt we deserved a shot in the final. Lots of proud parents and coaches all round.

The only real moment of worry for us was a sleepy start vs Wanderers in Game 2, were we let them go 2 nil up with some very soft trys. But the boy’s responded a couple of minutes later and then proceeded to put them to the sword. Wands managed to get another 2 trys which were nicely worked and well deserved in fairness.

The positives are too many to list but here are a few:
• Solid defence from everyone
• Ball retention was excellent (not sure we lost any rucks)
• Decision making was good in attacking open play and the pass timing was outstanding. We took out multiple defenders out of the play and left wider players with more time on the ball.
• Wingers were running in acres of space, then keeping plays alive (when caught) and rarely getting pushed into touch.
• Lots of great carries and smashing up the middle.
• Regathering the ball when we Kick off was quite frankly ridiculous! We have no idea why opposition teams are not defending us properly in this situation!

Ellon 8-0 Deeside A
Ellon 7-4 Aberdeen Wanderers
Ellon 7-2 Garioch
Ellon 8 -1 Deeside B
Ellon 7-1 Mackie
Ellon 5-1 Aberdeen Grammar

In summary we played as a proper team unit, everyone got their hands on the ball, most players were on the score sheet, and everyone was making positive impacts on the pitch. We really hope the boys can take this form into Saturday’s Festival at Mackie. A few of the boys will rotate out of the matchday squad to allow a few more to get some game time.

Player of the Day - Struan
Firstly, we want to give a shout out to Cameron, Hugo, Gregor, and Finlay who all had outstanding games. Straun was everywhere (literally!) and both referees commented on how he took the game by the scruff of the neck. He played in multiple positions, scored a ton, distributed be ball beautifully into space and was continually tackling, rolling away and jumping up for the next one, all day long. Incredible levels of effort and determination!

Most Improved – Leo
He played some incredible rugby. Not only the jinky side stepping runs down the wing, but he was also quick to rucks, and was running determined support lines. He got on the score sheet a few times and just got caught on the try line twice by some incredibly good cover tackles. Impressively though, he managed to keep the play alive both times and pop to a supporting teammate for a try assist.

Clubmen of the Day – Robbie and Jack
Thank you for helping Wands for the one game you weren’t on for us. Robbie seemed to get his hands on the ball a lot during his game as did Jack who also got a massive black eye as a way of thanks! Wanderers have a very small group at P6 and they really appreciate when we help out and were very complimentary about the boys and how they played. Well done lads