Before Saturday’s game it was over a decade since Ellon last faced Gordonians competitively on a rugby pitch. It was worth the wait for the home side who ran out 19-7 winners thanks to a strong defensive display and some powerful running in attack.

Ellon scored three tries through Sam Mountain, Greg Willets and Kieron Dalgarno. Man-of-the-match Dalgarno also kicked a conversion and Andrew Ovenstone added another.

The maroon and golds scored all of their points in the first half and got on the front foot through the intelligence of Mountain who kept the momentum going with quick tap penalties.

Ellon’s wing, Jordan Tijou, also made an impression by running good lines and was unlucky not to score late in the game when he made a break.

Gordonians put everything they had into the second half and were rewarded with a converted try scored by their scrum half Steven Hemingway.

But Ellon were defensively too tough for the visitors with the likes of Ewan Macintyre making some big hits while captain Liam Slaven played havoc with the Gordonian line-out.

Slaven said: “I’m very happy with the boys today. It was an excellent first half performance especially at the set piece.

“Hopefully this game can act as a stepping stone so we can build over the next few weeks.

“It was great to have guys like Alex Fowlie and Ryan Bowron coming into the squad to make their first starts today.”

The only negatives Ellon take away from the match are their lack of composure to secure the four-try bonus point and an injury to centre Ed Adie.

Adie went down with a suspected medial ligament injury in the second half and a long-term lay-off could spell trouble for the Meadows side after already losing outside centre Ewan Eley to work commitments.

Slaven said: “It’s disappointing for us to lose a guy like Ed even for a couple of games. He has been on top form for us. We’re looking to add some depth to our squad in the midfield.

“Although I’m pleased with the win today and the effort everyone put in, there is still room for improvement.

“A small lack in concentration let Gordonians sneak a try and we just let ourselves slip slightly by not getting the bonus point.

“But all in all I’m happy with our performance.”

Ellon will try to continue their good form when they travel to Hillfoots RFC this weekend. The Tillicoultry based side sit nine points lower in the Caledonian 1 league table but are yet to lose at home.

Slaven said: “Hillfoots should be tough customers but we’re looking forward to it. Our aim is to progress from this victory.”

ELLON: Willets, Tijou, Davidson, Adie, Bowron, Macdonald, Mountain; Munro, Porche, Macintyre, Farquhar, Fowlie, Calvert, Slaven, Dalgarno. Subs: Hackett, Simpson, Ovenstone.