Last weekend was a big one for Ellon Rugby with two important games, both at home, for the First XV and Second XV.
It was fantastic to see the development of Youth players at Ellon. There was 7 U18 players playing between the First XV and Second XV, with three getting their debuts. Stevie Gray started for the Second XV, only 12 months ago he was captain of the U16 squad. Fraser Chalk and Kieran Cornfield also started.
The Firsts came up against the team just behind them in Caledonia 1, Grangemouth. As added incentive, it was Ellon’s ex Development Officer’s new club!
It started a cagey affair with both sides defence working well and not really any risks taken. It took until 25 minutes for Grangemouth to score with a well worked forwards/backs try out wide. 0-5. Ill-discipline from Grangemouth could have seen a yellow but didn’t. The penalty was slotted by Caleb Jack to make it 3-5. Repeated penalty on the line should have seen a yellow also, but alas just the penalty. Ellon opted to scrum, and from the break away, were held up. Next scrum into two phases saw Brad Fraser go over and a conversion to Jack. 10-5 was the halftime score. Ellon score second half early through Brad Fraser again, making it 17-5. Ellon looked in control, until a break away try and a perfect 2v1 for Grangemouth to close it up to 17-12. Ellon forwards took control and despite the backs calling for the ball, eventually scored, making it 24-12. Grangemouth bullied there way over for a try and then with a very late try with 3 minutes on the clock, brought it back to 24-24! 1 minute left on the clock and Ryan Notton went over to take the winning score and conversion to Jack! 31-24 and bonus point win for Ellon cemented them into 2nd spot, although Dunfermline have a game in hand in third. A tough game for Ellon 1XV next week away to unbeaten Orkney.
The seconds were also playing at home, against a large Aberdeenshire seconds team! It was a very even first half as both teams played well off each other. Young lads for Ellon didn’t look out of place and led front the front, while the older lads from the Vets team kept up well and steadied the ship for the team. Half time was 10-12, but the second half is where Ellon came out strong. Fitness and youth ran through and around the older heavier Shire team. Shire didn’t manage a score in the second half, while Ellon seconds ran in 4 converted tries to finish the game 38-12. Bonus point win and top of the table for the seconds. No game in the league for a few weeks, but a friendly Saturday against newly formed Turiff.
Also Saturday is Ellon Vets playing as Ythan Bears against Mackie Mammouths.

No Youth games last weekend. This weekend Ellon play Muntly. At U18 they called off, but Sunday will still be U16/15 combined at 12:30 and before U13 and U14 separate fixtures.

Meanwhile with the younger players, Fayona Gordon from the Junior section managed to secure Ellon Juniors an invite to Murrayfield to take part in the Edinburgh vs Agen game. The P5's travelled and formed the guard of honour for the teams at the start of the game!
The P6 & P7 teams played on the main pitch at half time against Stewart Melville, with the P6's coming out 4 - 2 winners and the P7's ended a 3-3 draw. Both teams played incredibly well on the big pitch with some fast flowing attacking rugby and solid defense.

A reminder that Ellon Rugby is about Fitness, Fun, next to competitive sport, while fully focused on player development, rather than then wins. They believe in developing the players and the results will take care of themselves. Rugby is available from Rugby Rascals at age 3, through the Junior section (P2-7), Youth section (U13-U16) and then the adult sections with Colts (U18), First XV, Second XV and finally the Vets (over 35) Ythan Bears.