The first XV had a tough year with relegation at the end of the 2014/15 season to Caledonia 2N, and have struggled in the new league, mainly due to numbers. However the New Year is a time to push forward. Strengthened by the possibility of some players from neighbouring Dyce Rugby Club joining Ellon, and more so by a few of the younger U18 players, of which some are now able to play up for more games. At the moment Ellon are at the bottom of the table and the only way is up. The target is the three clubs directly above Ellon - Shetland, Stornoway and Lochaber, all of which Ellon have to play once more, with Shetland and Lochaber both home games. Ellon where due to play Shetland first this Saturday and where looking forward to a run out after the three week break over Christmas, but the weather has beaten us this time.
Meanwhile the Youth Section has now completed the Red Conference. With S1 to U18 playing the same club each weekend it brought a greater level of competition to the club than previous years. The new league has been deemed a great success and as a club Ellon are looking forward to the next season in the Red Conference. The U18 played some great rugby, but in a couple of key games, they had injuries or players away on school/DofE camps. This led to two losses that would normally have been wins. Ellon finished third in the U18 league, but should have been one spot higher, missing out on second place by 2 points, but comfortable beating the second place team twice this season. U16 has been a developing age band this season and they have recorded some great results in the Red Conference. In a very close league (only 4 points or 1 win) between 3rd and bottom place) Ellon finished bottom, but mainly due to having two games recorded as draws due to inclement weather). U15 team finished 5th, again in a close league, they improved as each game went on and this was showed by a great away victory over Gordonstoun 25 34 at the end of the season. The S1 and S2 team games don’t go into a table to encourage the age bands to develop the skills and knowledge of rugby over their whole squads. However both competed excellently against some top opposition.
There is an overall table where all points from each age band are entered and shown on a whole club basis. Ellon finished 5th, a little disappointing, but it is the first year of the conference. All Ellon age bands found the league very competitive and a great level of competition led to an increased player development. There are a number of things to work on for next season, with coaches already looking to improve.
In the meantime, S1 and S2 have a full block to the end of the season with friendlies organised all over the country, U15 and U16 also have a few friendlies, but are also competing in the Caledonia Cup. U18 have played in the National Cup already, losing out to Highland, but now also have a run in the Caledonia Cup.
Girls Youth rugby continues at Ellon with an U15 and U18 training team. With the girls now fully integrated within the Youth section, coaches are sharing responsibility to use their knowledge to develop the girls. They have some games organised for the coming year, both local and in the central belt.
The Junior section is flourishing with children from age 3 to P7 training every week at the Meadows. The frustration has come from not being able to get as many games as normal in the first half of the season. With fixtures rained off and other cancelled, it has been limited. The New Year brings a barren couple of months, before the bulk of the fixtures come with the improved weather.
Next fixtures at Ellon are:
First XV Saturday 9th January Shetland at home 12:30 KO CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
U18 Caley Cup 16th January Aberdeen Wanderers at home 13:00 KO
First XV Saturday 16th January Kinloss Eagles away 14:00 KO
One of Ellon’s Directors of Rugby Gareth Kemp said:
“With a flourishing Junior section and a strong Youth section, the club has a great future. We are working hard for these players to be committed to the club and desperate to play for the First XV, something we have missed in the past. These youngsters are the future and we need to ensure the hard work the coaches are doing leads to them playing for the team that developed them.”
“The senior team has struggled recently, but some hard graft in the second half of the season will see us safe. It will be a battle and require some sacrifice and commitment, but I’d like to think we will push our way out of the relegation zone, some very winnable fixtures to come.”
“The club is actively recruiting players at all levels, from three year olds, through the Juniors and Youth, Girls and especially in the Adults game. The bigger squad we have for the First XV the better, it would then release the older boys to play in the Golden Oldies Rugby like they should be!!”. Anybody interested in joining should contact the club, via the website: www.ellonrfc.co.uk or garethkemp@ellonrfc.co.uk