This was the first game of 2025 for both sides and having not faced Gordonian's before it was a highly anticipated encounter.

Gordonian's as a club off shot of RGC are new to youth rugby in this age group, as such were fielding a squad of 21 players for a hybrid u13 & u14 team.

In contrast Ellon are in a transition stage of the youth season where team management is allowing for transition of dual qualified players into other age groups. This led to the starting 15 have five DQ u13 players coming into an already young u14 team; with more experience DQ u14s' playing away to Wanderers with the u15s'.

Despite Gordonian's being new to the club league their rugby schooling is well known so Ellon knew on all fronts it would be a high octane encounter; and that is what transpired. Gordonian's showed good skill, strength and speed across all positions with their speed to the ruck being particularly impressive. Ellon found this hard to get the hold of in the first stages of the opening half trailing by several converted tries heading towards half time.

Once Ellon found their feet and the new team started to evolve their work rate increased with the pressure coming onto Gordonian's their discipline faltered resulting in numerous off side penalties. From the ensuing penalties assured kicking out of hand gave Ellon good field position to work off. From here the work from set piece's proved decisive as phases of play where built across the pitch stretching the Gordonian's defence. Further pressure from the forwards resulted in Ellon's first try; when half time sounded Ellon were trailing 33-7.

Not to be deterred and buoyed by getting their try Ellon knew there was still much room for improvement against a Gordonian's side that were performing well but bringing nothing new to the table. It was still a difficult ask for Ellon to get back in the game as the intense 1st half was taking it's toll on Ellon against a Gordonian's large squad and their rolling substitution's.

Then there was news coming in that the Ellon u15s' game was cancelled and so the whirlwind began. The Ellon bomb squad was deployed across from Hazelhead to Countswells not long into the second half. From this player positions were changed and substitutions made, now the tide was turning.

The fresh legs gave the team forward momentum starting to break the gainline more often. From this the whole team raised their play and matched the new injection of speed. This response was needed as the intensity brought by the Gordonian's showed no signs of stopping. The work rate around the ruck was again on show from Ellon, typified by numerous defensive sets on their own 5m line keeping Gordonian's off the score sheet for large parts of the game.

The exceptional, effort, skills, determination and team work from the squad delivered a gutsy well deserved 38-48 win.

Thank-you to Gordonian's for your hospitality, sportsmanship and a great game of rugby.

Next up Deeside at Home this Sunday, look forward to seeing you all there.