The Youth sections returned to Conference Rugby as Granite City travelled to the Meadows for the second half of the conference to start. U18 were Saturday and due to Granite City not having front row, the game was started as a development game (win for Ellon) and played 13 a side with uncontested scrums. Half time was a little close as Ellon found it hard to get motivated, with a score of 12-5 at half time, Ellon came out firing the second half as they went on to win 46-12.
On Sunday the remainder of the Youth section played, with U13 winning 31-13, U14 winning 30-0 (Both U13 and U14 have 3 points for a try). U15 came up against a strong Granite City team, losing 5-53. U16 was the last fixture, played in the wind and cold rain, Granite came short of players and the rules mean Ellon had to player match. So was played as 12 aside as a competitive match. Similar to the U18 match, the change in numbers threw Ellon a little and they underperformed for the whole match. The match started ok with a scrum on the 5m line and scrum half Arran Whitaker went over for the first try, converted by Josh Andrew. Granite City hit back 5 minutes later with a break away try. With lower numbers it is hard to defend on the big pitch and Granite stole the ball and broke away. This was shortly followed up by Josh Andrew scoring a poachers try as the ball spilled and he pounced on it to score and then convert. Next was try of the day as Captain Dylan Kemp, just back from injury, ripped the ball off the standoff at the half way line, and ran 50m, hotly chased, to score under the posts. Converted by Josh Andrew to make it 21-5. A late try for Granite made it 21-12 at half time. Main point from the half was four tries missed by Ellon as they tried to use the forwards too much and missed out on scores.
Second half was more weather effected and the game continued to be a fairly stagnant affair. Euan Mackenzie scored out wide and Granite scored one more try to finish the game 26-17 to Ellon. A game that Ellon dominated but didn’t take their chances. Head coach Gareth Kemp said “not the best of performances, in a reduced numbers game and nasty weather, but the boys still pulled out a win”. Man of the match went to both Arran Whitaker and Dylan Kemp.
Up this weekend, the Youth take on Muntly (Moray and Huntly combined) away in a x-conference friendly fixture at U18, U16/15 combined, U14 and U13.
Again there is no adult rugby, but the Junior section have a home festival on Sunday from 10:00 at the Meadows.

A great highlight for the club and three club players last weekend, was Archie Falconer, Caleb Jack and Jack Duncan all played for Glasgow Warriors U18 team in an away friendly at Saracens in London! The three lads are a firm part of the Warriors U18 squad, with Archie and Jack both Stage 1 Academy players. Hopefully this will lead to Scotland U18 games in the near future!