Ellon U16 take a close game against Granite City

An outstanding performance by both teams as they battled out for the points. Both teams had players from Caledonia U16 squad this summer and had bragging rights to earn! Granite City scored first with a converted try as Ellon tried to pass the ball too much. However Lewis Duncan scored for the second week in a row for Ellon out on the wing from second row! Ben Dickie kicked the extra 2 points from 2m in on a very windy day. Points that would become crucial later on. Ellon again let Granite City score and this was followed up by a sneaky interception try as Ellon stole a turnover and looked to pass wide. Just before half time Archie Falconer scored and Ben Dickie converted to leave the half time 14-21. Ellon had more of the play but Granite City had sneaked the extra try.
Second half Ellon came out knowing exactly what to do. Using their more physical forwards they needed to retain the ball and when Granite City had the ball, cut it off at 12 to stop the Caley U16 13 and U17 winger scoring.
Working well to the game plan, Ellon kept the ball in the forwards a lot more than normal, really winning every break down. This led to winning the lineouts and dominating the scrums also, wining a number against the head. Lewis Duncan ran in another try early second half, followed up 5 minutes later by prop Tom Gray. His first try for a couple of years, and his smiles showed it! Ellon now led 24-21, but Granite City scored with a lapse in Ellen’s concentration. 24-28. Ellon now dominated everything and had the full run of the game, but Granite City still kept them at bay just. Archie falconer received a turn over ball 15m out and weaved through to score a long reaching try to make it 29-28 with 12 minutes left. As the game continued, Granite City got into Ellon’s 22, only for Ellon to win the ruck and poach the ball back, as Ellon went to attack, their concentration slipped back and they forgot the structure. Trying to be too fancy they used one handed passes and lost the ball back. From the following pressure, Ellon gave a penalty away 20 out and in line with the left post. It was the final minute of the game. The Granite City kicker, who had converted all 4 kicks so far, stepped up but the pressure must have got to him and it sliced wide of the right post. Ellon U16 took the match 29-28. A great game to watch and both teams will have learnt a lot from it. Although Ellon deserved the win, it was a shame for the kicker to miss the final shot.
Man of the match to Lewis Duncan and Support player to Finlay Hagen.
Muntly next for Ellon U16, at Home with a 13:00 KO.