Ellon First XV were looking forward to a game this weekend after Deeside couldn’t raise a team last weekend. However, with the heavy rain, Aberdeen Grammar initially called off the game due to pitch issues. Ellon rallied around and used connections at Aberdeenshire to move the game to Woodside to make sure they played.
Ellon unbeaten and with maximum points for tries scored were well aware this would be the toughest test of the season so far, playing a Grammar team with a few players who play National 1 rugby regularly.

Early pressure on the pitch by Ellon, showed a team with confidence, however Ellon gave a penalty away at Aberdeen Grammar try line and Aberdeen cleared.
From early on the Ellon Scrum was under a pressure on their own put in. Ellon won the ball but always going backwards.
Aberdeen had some pressure but holding on by Aberdeen in the tackle and penalty cleared by Ellon. Well done A Addy in the tackle to put pressure on.
Ellon kicked for touch and went for a planned 4 man line out, but it was over thrown.

Great work by Ellon with pressure working inside Aberdeen’s 22, lead to a line out. Aberdeen had a moments panic under pressure from Ellon in the midfield, and Ellon take advantage. Hands in every ruck by Aberdeen gives a penalty to Ellon, kicked by Stewart Cruickshank.
0-3 to Ellon.

Great break by the Aberdeen standoff, but he decided to grubbed kick?! Wasted chance as Ellon get the scrum.

Collapsed scrum by Aberden and a penalty to Ellon. Aberdeen not throwing well at lineout and a scrum to Ellon. Aberdeen offside at the penalty and Brad Fraser went quick. One on one and passes to Ben Shirron. Slightly low and pass missed. Ellon pressure builds and from a box kick Ben Shirron takes the bounce and scores with aggression and determination, beaten 2 defenders. Conversion to Stewart Cruickshank.
0-10 to Ellon

Huge pressure on Ellon line by Aberdeen. Soaked up by Ellon and force the mistake, with the ball cleared of next ruck by Addy. Knock on Aberdeen and scrum to Ellon again. Who do well and forwards move the ball between them and set a ruck for Addy to kick 15m out. Half time 0-10 to Ellon.

Second half and even play again to start. A number of subs for Ellon as the use their bench.
C Addy, R Greig on for Ellon.
Aberdeen goes to one wing then to the other scoring a great try on the wing. Conversion from out wide. 7-10.
Then Aberdeen started to tire under the pressure and give penalties away. Pen to Ellon offside at lineout. A Addy kicks 7-13. Then A Addy kicks another penalty for offside at the ruck 7 -16. Good pressure by Ellon.
A Addy taking advantage of poor Aberdeen discipline and tiredness, slots another penalty, 7-19.
Great maul by Ellon, but lost out to a player coming in the side.
Drop goal missed by A Addy as he had advantage. Back for the penalty which he converts to finish the game 7-22.

A tough game for Ellon, but did very well and dominated the midfield. Up next is Lossiemouth another tough game for Ellon, but at Home with a 15:00 KO Saturday.

There was no Youth Rugby last week, as the holidays gave a natural break in the Lancer Conference. Similar for the Juniors, however the P6 squad had an invite to the Boarders to play in the Hawick Tournament on Sunday and arranged a friendly on the Saturday at Melrose.

Having left Ellon wet and breezy, Ellon P6 began their journey down to the heart of Scottish rugby. "The Borders"
After Aberdeen the weather started to clear and with the bus in high spirits they arrived at Melrose. With thanks to the hosts, Ellon P6 were allowed to get changed in the Melrose 1st Team changing rooms.
With a brief tour of the ground and a little history, the squad were eager to play.
With the coaching staff not having the knowledge of teams from this area, it became apparent Ellon P6 would have to be on their toes to compete.
Melrose were to put out two teams which gave all the Ellon squad a game.
First up Melrose Red.
With dry weather and a bigger pitch to what the team were used to, Ellon took the ball from the off.
An early try from good inter-passing saw Ellon P6 go in front. Melrose Red were keen to respond which resulted in Ellon P6 having to defend.
With Melrose Red coming back into the game, the score at half time 1-1.
Ellon had now had chance to warm up and second half showed running skills, offloads and defensive pressure to end the game to the good.
Melrose Red 1 - Ellon 4. Whilst the above game was in motion Melrose Black were looking very sharp warming up.
Against Melrose Black, Ellon P6 had to change their game plan.
With strong runners and superb tackling by Melrose, Ellon again managed to combat this with the first try.
After strong perseverance Melrose Black came back resulting in a 1-1 half time score.
Second half Ellon P6 became very strong in the counter ruck and defensive pressure yet again saw them take the lead.
With heroic tackling, continuity and a will to play rugby, Ellon proceeded to take the game.
Melrose Black 1 - Ellon 4
A truly great afternoon of rugby for players and parent support. An experience for the squad in an iconic atmosphere. Ellon Rugby thank Melrose RFC for inviting then to play in a very different environment. Fun had by all.

Day 2 of Ellon P6's adventure of "The Borders" took them to the annual junior tournament at Hawick RFC.
Earlier in the week they had been informed that 1 pitch had been lost due to the amount of rainfall in the boarders.
However to our surprise Ellon P6 found ourselves playing on the first team pitch where our "Rowdy Supporters" congregated in full voice whilst seated in the stands.
This only added to the wonderful atmosphere that awaited our squad.
Ellon had been drawn against the favourites Kelso (who have not lost all season and had already won three tournaments) and Selkirk.
Again a big pitch which was daunting for the coaches concerned over fitness issues against a large Kelso squad.
Kelso v Ellon
A big Kelso side took to the park setting out their intent. Super ball handling, strong runners and fierce tackling.
However Ellon P6 had their own ammunition too. Immense counter rucking, clean ball, evasive running, continuity and tackling by the whole squad saw an end to end tense game. Kelso 1- Ellon 2
Next in the pool Ellon faced Selkirk who had drawn in a very tight game against Kelso 2-2.
Tails in the air Ellon again produced a solid performance. With the scores locked at 1-1, Ellon P6 displayed their rugby skills.
Selkirk seemed to tire after being unable to break the Ellon defence. Selkirk 1- Ellon 4
And so to the final.
With the other pool having Jedburgh, Galashiels and Hawick, we were to play our hosts Hawick.
With a very large squad and their home tournament Hawick were surely favourites?
The Ellon team had got together, having had a great weekend of team building and rugby were not to go home lightly.
The final was fiercely contested by both sides looking for the win.
Ellon again produced defensive rugby of great proportion, heroic cover tackles to stop Hawick from scoring.
Holding players up on their own try line and driving Hawick back, Ellon showed great resilience.
Again at 1-1 the game was tense, but with Hawick letting in a fine Ellon try their heads dropped.
Ellon took the reins and with minutes to go unleashed wave after wave of attack. Hawick 1 - Ellon 4 and tournament Winners!
The weekend was a great success for the team in encountering different teams.
It was testament to the P6 play that they were commended by all the other team’s coaches in particular Kelso who have asked that Ellon Rugby attend more games together.
Along with Hawick and Jedburgh and Melrose who have also expressed an interest, the weekend was a fun filled event.

Ellon Girls join up with Grampian Girls Sunday and head to Inverness to play Highland, while the Youth boys play Granite City, looking to get to top of the table again.