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Weekend Review - Huge weeknd for Ellon Rugby
Gareth D Kemp28 Apr 2014 - 09:47
S1/2 7s, U16 7s, Play offs games, P3-7 tournament, Caley Reds!
A very busy weekend for Ellon Rugby! Saturday saw all training move to Deer Park as at the Meadows Ellon were hosting one of Scotland’s top S1 and S2 7s competitions. With teams from Ellon, Grammar, Garioch, Mackie, Moray, Ross Sutherland, Kirkcaldy, Currie and Stirling some amazing rugby was played. The rain stopped in time for the set up, although there was a fog rolling in from the Ythan, it was excellent conditions to play 7s. Both Ellon teams were unlucky not to make it out of the pools games, S1 especially as they drew 4 4 with Mackie and Mackie went through as they had scored more tries in the pool stages. Final results were S1: First Stirling, Second Currie, Third Mackie; S2: First Currie, Second Stirling and Third Ross Sutherland.
The S2 final was very close and after full time was 6 – 6. The match went into Golden Try and after 3 minutes of intense play Currie broke away and scored the winner. The S1 was a little more one sided with Stirling winning 21 – 0 as Currie had clearly tired over the day.
Ellon Rugby would like to thank all involved, especially the referees, doctor, and those on the stalls and BBQ. [b]Also to KR Steel in Newburgh who sponsored the match balls and the BBQ for the day.[/b]
Ellon Vice President Gareth Kemp said “What a great day of rugby”. “The S1/S2 7s was outstanding rugby and there are some very tired referees who tried to keep up with the lads (myself included!)”. “Even better as Ellon U16 won the Banff 7s, wining all their games on the way”. “Congratulations to the winners Currie and Stirling, and many thanks for all the teams who made the day so good; and for travelling so far”.
The day got even better for Ellon as news came, via twitter, from Inverurie that Glenrothas had beaten Garioch 11 – 12, and in so doing ensuring that Ellon and Glenrothas will be playing Caledonia League 1 rugby next season! Glenrothas scored 4 penalties, while Garioch scored two penalties and a try, but missed the conversion which would have won them the game!
Saturday evening was the Ellon Rugby Senior Team Club Awards evening. A great evening was held at the Meadows; with excellent food supplied by Ali Babas take away in Ellon town centre. After speeches and a very enjoyable meal, the following awards were handed out:
Top Try scorer: Ali Edwards, Coach of the Year Ryan Morrice and Phil Edwards, Player of the Year James Halmshaw, Most Improved player Andrew Grant, Clubman of the Year Gareth Kemp, Numpty of the Year Ali Edwards, Seconds player of the Year Callum Cruickshank, Presidents Shield to Richard Porteous, Captains Shield to Nicki Fraser and Players Player to James Halmshaw.
With Nicki Fraser away on Caledonia Reds duty, Stuart Hackett led a great speech and gave James Halmshaw the credit he deserved. James came up through the ranks of Ellon rugby, stopping for a couple of years as he studied away and this season came back to Ellon to play. Firstly for the Seconds for a couple of games, but was swiftly moved into the firsts, where he has been a key player on the back row.
With some sore heads, a few Ellon players and coaches headed to Cuper in Fife to watch the Caledonia Reds first game against the Co-Optimists. It was an exhibition game to see if there is a want for a third professional team in Scotland and hope for it to be based in the Caledonia region, Aberdeen in particular. With Scotland (and ex Garioch) ace Jason White in charge, all players for the Reds either play in Caledonia or came from here originally. With Ellon represented by Nicki Fraser and two ex-players in Steven Aiken and Greig Ryan, and ex-coach Kevin Wyness, there was some Ellon talent on show. Nicki had a great game, breaking lines and three brilliant trademark runs up the pitch, Steve as always was a rock at fullback, scoring one try and preventing a few, ones he will remember the most was stopping speedster Carlin Isles twice! Grieg started on the bench, but as always made a huge impact when he came on, popping up everywhere harassing the Co-Ops 10 most of the second half. One more game for the Reds is next Sunday against Newcastle Falcons.
Also on Sunday Ellon P3-7 travelled to Aberdeen Grammar for a tournament. The Tag team at P3 performed very well, it is only friendlies at that age so no scores kept. P4 P6 and P7 didn’t make the semi-finals, but some really good performances made the difference on the day. P5 made it to the semi-finals and then took third place, two tournaments in a row! Let’s see if they can do it three in a row or go one better at Howe of Fife this Sunday!
The S2 final was very close and after full time was 6 – 6. The match went into Golden Try and after 3 minutes of intense play Currie broke away and scored the winner. The S1 was a little more one sided with Stirling winning 21 – 0 as Currie had clearly tired over the day.
Ellon Rugby would like to thank all involved, especially the referees, doctor, and those on the stalls and BBQ. [b]Also to KR Steel in Newburgh who sponsored the match balls and the BBQ for the day.[/b]
Ellon Vice President Gareth Kemp said “What a great day of rugby”. “The S1/S2 7s was outstanding rugby and there are some very tired referees who tried to keep up with the lads (myself included!)”. “Even better as Ellon U16 won the Banff 7s, wining all their games on the way”. “Congratulations to the winners Currie and Stirling, and many thanks for all the teams who made the day so good; and for travelling so far”.
The day got even better for Ellon as news came, via twitter, from Inverurie that Glenrothas had beaten Garioch 11 – 12, and in so doing ensuring that Ellon and Glenrothas will be playing Caledonia League 1 rugby next season! Glenrothas scored 4 penalties, while Garioch scored two penalties and a try, but missed the conversion which would have won them the game!
Saturday evening was the Ellon Rugby Senior Team Club Awards evening. A great evening was held at the Meadows; with excellent food supplied by Ali Babas take away in Ellon town centre. After speeches and a very enjoyable meal, the following awards were handed out:
Top Try scorer: Ali Edwards, Coach of the Year Ryan Morrice and Phil Edwards, Player of the Year James Halmshaw, Most Improved player Andrew Grant, Clubman of the Year Gareth Kemp, Numpty of the Year Ali Edwards, Seconds player of the Year Callum Cruickshank, Presidents Shield to Richard Porteous, Captains Shield to Nicki Fraser and Players Player to James Halmshaw.
With Nicki Fraser away on Caledonia Reds duty, Stuart Hackett led a great speech and gave James Halmshaw the credit he deserved. James came up through the ranks of Ellon rugby, stopping for a couple of years as he studied away and this season came back to Ellon to play. Firstly for the Seconds for a couple of games, but was swiftly moved into the firsts, where he has been a key player on the back row.
With some sore heads, a few Ellon players and coaches headed to Cuper in Fife to watch the Caledonia Reds first game against the Co-Optimists. It was an exhibition game to see if there is a want for a third professional team in Scotland and hope for it to be based in the Caledonia region, Aberdeen in particular. With Scotland (and ex Garioch) ace Jason White in charge, all players for the Reds either play in Caledonia or came from here originally. With Ellon represented by Nicki Fraser and two ex-players in Steven Aiken and Greig Ryan, and ex-coach Kevin Wyness, there was some Ellon talent on show. Nicki had a great game, breaking lines and three brilliant trademark runs up the pitch, Steve as always was a rock at fullback, scoring one try and preventing a few, ones he will remember the most was stopping speedster Carlin Isles twice! Grieg started on the bench, but as always made a huge impact when he came on, popping up everywhere harassing the Co-Ops 10 most of the second half. One more game for the Reds is next Sunday against Newcastle Falcons.
Also on Sunday Ellon P3-7 travelled to Aberdeen Grammar for a tournament. The Tag team at P3 performed very well, it is only friendlies at that age so no scores kept. P4 P6 and P7 didn’t make the semi-finals, but some really good performances made the difference on the day. P5 made it to the semi-finals and then took third place, two tournaments in a row! Let’s see if they can do it three in a row or go one better at Howe of Fife this Sunday!
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