Ellon u13 v Moray (HOME)

Moray requested this friendly match in the lead up to the Culblean Challenge Knock Out stages.
As a coaching team we couldn't pass up this opportunity to give the squad competitive game and get the home game against Moray which was missed earlier in the season due to bad weather.

It would prove to be a tough test in all departments, skill, physicality, mentality and a team spirit. The squad showed they had all these attributes in abundance. Not least because game was set on the back drop of the away fixture being the only game this season the team faced true adversity - the combination of atrocious weather and a very assertive and competitive opponent.

The game format request by Moray was 3x10mins and one 15min. period was accepted as it gave both teams the most opportunity to rotate their squad.

The game itself showed off the our teams ability to use the full pitch stretching the opposition defence allowing us to find way over the try line on 8 occasions. This was all the more impressive given the fact the team took the opportunity to play on the the 1st XV pitch at the meadows.

Despite the fractious nature of the game the team still put phases together off the back of a solid scrum and excellent rucking. The work rate and physicality of the game did take its toll with the team being left with just 13 available players by the end of the match (losing three of the squad to minor injury). While sore to take at the time we are not excepting the injuries to stop their involvement with the squad in the coming weeks.

Overall, we cannot be more proud of our squad coming out 46-17 victors on this occasion - truly well deserved. With more competitive games to look forward to in the remaining Culblean Challenge this display will give the team great confidence moving forward.

Within the squad I could reel off many examples of great individual moments and more importantly team work. This made the selection and thought process of choosing a PTOM even more difficult than usual. On this occasion Max Robson takes the accolade for pure tenacity in attack and defence well done Max and the whole squad.

Next game is the Quarter Final home fixture against Caithness see you all there.