A really good performance from everyone within the S1 team, especially as it was a part development team. The boys did exactly what they were asked to do from the start, coming out of the blocks fast and put in some hard tackles to drive Highland onto the back foot. They were powerful in the rucks and scrums with some great turnovers won. Attack was executed well with fast ball from 9 to 10 and providing the platform for the outside centre Adam Fowlie coming on fast on the outside to drive through for the line, getting four tries in the game. Ellon lost their way a bit in the 2nd 15 due to changes in the line-up, but still managed to force the pace of the game, created opportunities to score a couple of tries and prevent Highland from scoring. Things became narrow with a bit too much of white line fever creeping in, but regained their composure to finish the 2nd 15 very strong. A few more changes in personnel and positions in 3rd 15, but this time the lads remembered their game plan, (with a bit of prompting!), and stepped up the work rate again to apply a lot more pressure in the rucks and scrums. With the Highland players visibly tiring, the attacks were able to stretch the defence and create a lot more space in which to run into, which the Ellon forwards started to exploit with more hard running off the back of breakdowns.
Forward of the match went to Finlay Ritchie for the sheer amount of big tackles that he put in and getting stuck in at just about every ruck to secure ball.
Back of the match went to Adam Fowlie for always being in the right position to take the pass and then accelerate through to score the tries, along with his usual work rate in tacking/stealing ball. Although Ben Dickie playing his first game at 10 should get an honourable mention!
Best Rugby Attitude player went to Calum Caven for plugging away and not stopping the whole 45 minutes. This really spurred on his team mates to match his work rate.
Special mention for Daniel Ruddy who was outstanding in his first full game as hooker & Aaron Whitaker, Harry Cooper & Liam Park who each coped really well in their first competitive game as I know they were all really nervous before the game.

Highlights - Ben Dickie being very disciplined in his stand off role and dusting himself down and getting back on his feet quick after being demolished by the Highland no. 6 at the start of the game. He could have pipped Adam to best Back as his work rate was also first class. Fin Hagen’s control at the back of the scrums made his scrum half’s job a hell of lot easier than it could have been and led the pack really well. Ewan Orus may not have had his best day with the boot but still had a good game with a try in the 5th minute of the 3rd 15 when he picked up the ball from a tackle at the back of the scrum 5m out from Highland’s try line and caught the Highland defence napping with a quick snipe down the blind side. Finally Ben Dickie’s superman try!

Up next is a S1/2 mixed game V Stirling County at Ellon Meadows on 6th March with KO time to be confirmed.