U14 Match Report - Sunday 03/09/17 - Granite City 0 v Ellon 45

Opening game of the season in the SRU Mitsubishi Lancer Conference against Granite City.

Unfortunately Granite City could not raise a full squad so the game was played as a development game under SRU conference rules. Ellon automatically gain the win and points, however the boys were there to play rugby. Ellon loaned 2 players so the game could go ahead with 13 a side.

The Ellon lads have had the chance of some good pre-season training and a home match against the Ellon U13 to get them ready for the opening game and they opened their account strongly with Fin Ritchie receiving the ball along the line from the backs to run in the opening try in the first 30 seconds. Ryan Dickie getting the conversion. This set the tone for the first period, with Ellon dominating the rucks and the scrums and winning lots of ball for the forwards to carry forward making ground before releasing the backs using great passing and sidesteps and the occasional smash through the defense which resulted in Fin Ritchie running in 6 tries in total: 30 seconds, 6th, 9th, 15th, 17th and 20th minute and Ryan Dickie converting all. First period ends Granite City 0 v Ellon 24

The second 20 minute period opened with Granite City kicking to Ellon. Granite City put the ball deep for the Ellon fullback Daniel Gillies to catch and then run the full length of the park sidestepping and handing off players to score himself. Granite City then got themselves back into the game and started to make progress against Ellon who had swapped about some players to ensure everyone got game time. The Ellon lads took time to settle to the changes however regained composure and Ryan Hanton scored in the 10th minute with Jamie Brooks scoring 2 minutes later followed by Ross Davidson another 2 minutes later. Ellon went onto score another two tries with Ross Stewart getting the 5th and Felix Middleton getting the 6th try for this period. Ryan Dickie converted 3 of the tries. Second Period ends Granite City 0 v Ellon 45

According to SRU rules once a score line exceeds 30 points to 0 the game is over at U14 age group games. The Granite City coach came across and acknowledged the victory and we agreed not to play the final 20 minutes as the Ellon lads had dominated the game.

Well done lads, keep the effort and work rate up, the coaches and your team mates expect no less.