Ellon u13 v Aberdeen Wanderers (AWAY)

Great start to the new season.

This was a development session for the u13s' to get the squad used to playing on the full size pitch and get back into contact rugby.
Wanderers were a great host and we worked together on joint warm up and agreed on a ease into full contact rugby by going for 3x10mins sessions, with side session of tackle drills.

We would normally have played 45mins but due it being the first outing for many as well as a really warm day the actual game time was cut down to 30mins.

The first period was scrag followed by 2x full contact sessions, contested scrums were not possible due to lack of a full front row on the Wanderers side. Slightly low numbers on their side meant we shared the squad, giving a 12 a side game. A big thank-you to Harrison McKinnon for stepping up to play for Wanderers where you made a great impact.

Ellon showed great team togetherness being lead by their Captain Hamish Henderson who lead from the front getting Ellon off to a fast start. The team as a whole made made sure this was continued and Ellon quickly made it across the Wanderers try line to take the early lead.

Ellon continued to press the game with good forward play that developed spaces for the backline who's handling was unselfish and exceptional all day. This continued through the first period leading to further tries for the away side. Stubborn defence meant the Wanderers didn't get a score in the first period.

The second period started as the first with more good play across the team with strong line breaks from Hamish, Max, Rory and Euan putting Wanderers on the back foot, this yielded more tries for Ellon with at least one being just about the length of the pitch - well done Euan for that one. To their credit Wanderers did stick in the game and came up with a score of their own through the middle on the one occasion Ellon missed a first up tackle.

Going into the 3rd period some changes were made to rotate the squad and accommodate an injury to a Wanderers player. This allowed Noah Scarsbrick to come off the bench and show good strength and speed after shirking off his weekend illness. Support play for both teams started to wain at this stage which was totally understandable as the match was played at a great intensity and in what in Aberdeen terms was searing heat. Ellon did still manage to get over the try line a few more times leaving the game finishing 5-49 away win.

Try scorers in no particular order were: Quentin Booth x3, Hamish Henderson x2, Millar McCullagh x1, Euan Redpath x2 & Max Robson x1

There were many great performances across the team with Hamish showing great qualities as Captain, but for keeping the pace of the game high, generally making a nuisance of himself as well as bagging a hattrick, POTM goes to Quentin Booth.

Well done to all, roll on next week for our first home game against Mackie.