Aberdeen Grammar Tournament

Having played a friendly against Watsonians on Saturday Ellon P5 travelled to Aberdeen Grammar in a buoyant mood.
The schedule for the day was 2 leagues of 5 teams with a semi final and final.
First up for Ellon was Garioch 2.
Ellon started well scoring the first try.Garioch came back with a try of their own,but the Ellon guys turned up the heat scoring 2 more try's and bringing on the bench.Playing their flowing,attacking rugby Ellon came out winners 7-1.
Next up our new "friends" Watsonians.Having played 2 of their teams on Saturday Ellon new what to expect.Big physical play with pacey runners this game would not be easy.With Watsonians scoring first Ellon had to step up.After bringing the score level Ellon P5 put pressure on the opposing team stopping them playing rugby.With strong tackling,rucking and running Ellon came away with a win,
6-2.
Our hosts Grammar were up next.Having played them a few times this season we knew that they were not to be taken lightly and needed to be on our game.Again mixing the squad up,Ellon scored first,played "their game" and ran in 5-2 winners.
Last in Ellon's group,Deeside.
Again Deeside boast some good runners and should not be doubted.Realising a semi final place was on the horizon,Ellon P5 turned up the pace with a huge display in all areas. 9-2 Ellon.

Semi final time.
Ellon v Wanderers
The Wanderers side looked lean and came to attack for the Final.Ellon scoring first were finding this side to be more physical and fast than others we had played in the group stage.With the score level at 1-1 Ellon had to take control to make the final.With defence being the plan and wearing down Wanderers,Ellon found themselves 5-2 in the lead with a minute left on the clock.With a strong,fair tackle to a Wanderers player who unfortunately became injured and needed medical help it was taken by both sides to end the game.
The Ellon P5 squad,parents and club wish a speedy recovery to our fellow player!!!!

Final.
Was it to be Mackie or Watsonians????
With Watsonians beating Mackie 5-2 we were to play them again in what turned out to be a very physical end to end game.
Ellon kicked off and straight away put the ball through the hands only to be disallowed the first try.Ellon knew Watson,s had a couple of match winners who given the chance would score.It happened! Watson,s take the lead 1-0.
The Ellon squad had spoke before the game about playing strong,hard physical rugby to combat this team.The scores became level 2-2.
Ellon applied constant pressure in defence and attack but with this strong Watsonians crew it was a constant battle.After some great offloading and continuity Ellon score.3-2 to Ellon.
Watsonians having had a great weekend,s tour to the North East (and parents) wanted to go home with a trophy.A big,hard,fast wing break saw one of Watsons star players race to the line.Ellon grasping for a shirt or sock took off in persuit.What prevailed can only be hailed as a stand out moment of the match.A small "lionheart"Ellon player did not give up the chase which resulted in a text book tackle not only taking the player to the floor but with such force drove him into touch.
The resulting tap and go saw Ellon take the ball to the other end only to knock on.Could Ellon hold out with 60 seconds on the clock.
Watsonians again used their No.1 carrier only to be stopped with an Ellon tackle of immense proportion.This was a second moment which changed the game.The ball spilled backwards to the Watsons line who regathered only for the same Ellon player who made the tackle to get up,put pressure on again,resulting in a spillage,picking the ball up and dived over the try line.
Ellon 4- Watsonians 2.
As each game comes the Ellon P5,s show their rugby skills and togetherness.
The coaches and parents are extremely proud of you guys so keep it up!!!
Well done today,
Coach Geoff