Ellon U18 Beat Glasgow Hawks in last game of the National League!

With windy but sunny weather, Ellon started slowly (no change there then!) leaking two soft tries from defencive errors at the scrum and ruck, with the Glasgow scrum half playing excellent rugby. This gave a then 0-12 lead, but playing with a strong wind behind them. The home team eventually got settled in with good continuity leading to a James Evans unconverted try, 5-12. With Ellon pressurising Hawks in their own half the visiting team gave a penalty resulting in James Evans slotting it over for a half time score of 8-12.

Ellon started the second half strongly with a trade mark Matthew Emmison break through on the Hawks 10m line to score, converted by James Evans for a 15-12 lead to Ellon. Hawks respond with an unconverted try, 15-19. Then came the turning point in the game, with immense pressure by Ellon, Glasgow had a scrum on their on 5m line which Ellon won against the head, Matthew Emmison lifted the ball from the scrum and scored his second try, which was converted again by James Evans, 22-19. With 5 minutes left Glasgow tried to push for another score, but the Ellon team used great composure, and in fact dominated this period also. Coach Ross Finlay said "I was very pleased with the squad today, it was a real gutsy effort to keep fighting for the win. It's great to see how the players have developed as individuals as well as gelling as a team over the National League campaign. I now look forward to the Cup".

Vice President Gareth Kemp said "What a great performance by the young lads!" "It has been a long hard campaign this League, but what an experience for the players". "They have learnt so much during this league, which is exactly the reason we entered it in the first place". "It was never about winning the league, but the players playing the highest level of rugby they could and learning as much as they could, so we can develop the players to be the best they can be". Ellon U18 finished 9th in the National League out of 12, but the highest position for the NE teams. They now will compete in the Caledonia Cup, with some players of age assisting in the Second team. The club would like to wish Matthew Emmison all the best as he moves up to play for Aberdeen Grammar Second team for the remainder of the season, as he seeks to play to the highest level he can and push for Scotland place.