which took place at Hillfoots RFC, Tillicoultry, in Central Scotland on Saturday 16th August.With Teams participating from various parts of Scotland, along with Players from Teams in Belgium ( Charleroi Black Star Club ), France ( Beauvais ) and for the first time - Israel ( Elders of Zion ). The Oldest Player Award, went to the Golden Oldies stalwart - Alistair Urquhart ( 86 ) who was playing for - Brechin BRUCE - and he was joined by his Step Son - in - Law, who took up Rugby, at the tender age of 69 !!!

Although the SRU Annual General Meeting was held on the same day, Festival Ambassador – Alan Lawson, along with his wife Linda, was present to assist with the Presentation of the Festival Awards….and another Former President of the SRU – Jim Stevenson – was also in attendance and assisted with the Golden Oldies AGM. Amongst the Elders Players, was Menachem ben Menachem, the President of the Israeli Rugby Union along with Ed Freedman, a Member of the European Golden Oldies Rugby Executive Committee.

Ellon Played three half an hour games, winning the first game 4 – 0 against Belgium Charleroi, winning the second 2 – 1 against Crieff and just losing the third 2 – 4 to a strong Kirkcaldy. In the first game (which was delayed while the Belgium’s located the ground!!) Ellon were finding their feet, especially with four people who hadn’t played a competitive game of rugby ever! So took a while to get into the game, but soon took control using the forwards to push up the field and the backs and flankers to score. Steve Brown, Nick Grove-White, John Keith and Joe Potter all scored against the Belgium team, while Nick Grove-White and first timer Paul Vavangas scored in the second game. Paul, playing his first ever game, played on the wing and scored a great try, cutting inside one player and back outside another, out running him to score. The final game came after a long wait and we played a tough Kirkcaldy. At half time Kirkcaldy where 0 – 3 up. This along with a couple of high and late tackles fired Ellon up and in the second half scored two carbon copy tries as Joe Potter at 10 and centre John Keith combined to get Joe over the line. A similar third try was knocked off for a forward pass, which let Kirkcaldy score at the end for a win to Kirkcaldy.

In reality no scores were kept and the event was all about fun and coming together to play some great rugby. Oh and the beer festival after!!

Photo album on the Ellon Rugby Website.