With tries for Ali Edwards and Liam Slaven and a Penelty for Ovenstone, it wasn’t enough to beat a streetwise Strathmore. Ellon captain Nikki Fraser was absent with work so in stepped the experienced Mike Cox to help out. Ellon pack really should have dominated the scrum, but the referees interpretation prevented Ewan McIntyre scrimmaging until a swap in position with Mike Cox, along with a lower scrum sorted the issue. The scrum was competitive then, but the Ellon forwards dominated Strathmore’s in open play and at line out, winning almost every line out for both teams! This led to good pressure for the tries, but Strathmore fought back with good pace in the back line and some good angles of running. 2 tries and a penalty, the same as Ellon, but they also converted one of the tries. That was the difference in a tight game. Ellon had the opportunity to kick two easy penalties, but kicked for touch trying to go for the 5 points. On both occasions they failed to score, which lost Ellon 6 points.
Ellon Winger Callum Townend did a fantastic try saving tackle, but in the process dislocated his knee and has torn his ACL, with a recovery time of over nine months he will be really missed at the start of next season. However his brave actions kept Ellon within the 7 point margin to give us a losing bonus point. All eyes went to twitter to see the Mackie score, who also lost and gained a losing bonus point! That leaves Mackie two points behind Ellon with Mackie playing their last game this Saturday away to Strathmore. If Mackie fail to win that game, Ellon should be safe in Division 1. If Mackie win they move above Ellon and we will enter the relegation/promotion play offs in a three way with second in both Caley 2 Midlands and Caley 2 North. Each play each other just once and each is guaranteed a home and an away game. 1 club goes/stays down and 2 go/stay up. St Andrews have already been relegated to Caley 2.