Scotland took priority this weekend with the first autumn test. Playing Argentina at Murrayfield should have been a close game with Argentina fresh from the Southern Hemisphere Championship, however Scotland really stepped up and after an early slip, they dominated the game for the first win this season. Because of the Scotland game both the Firsts and Seconds didn’t have a game. Leaving the U18 the only team to play, away to West of Scotland. Upon arrival at West with only 14 players (late call off due to illness) there was a need to re-organise positions, luckily most of the Ellon players are adaptable enough to play in a number of positions.
After a cagey first five minutes with Ellon working hard in defence, the Ellon lads confidence began to grow and they started to probe more and more into West’s half.
After 15 minutes Ellon made a break and after some fine phase and passing play, Max Poole went over for a score which was converted by Paul Paxton.
From the kick-off West had some sustained pressure in Ellon’s half, but Ellon’s organised defence held firm.
For the next ten minutes the two teams were well matched until Ellon took the ball into West’s half and after some phases Kieran O’brien crashed over with Paul again converting.
West began putting some phases together. A tackle from James Evans helped by Sam Tateson formed a maul and the inexperienced Tateson took the legs from the West player giving West a penalty and Ellon a yellow card, with the numeric disadvantage Ellon had to defend for phase after phase but a kick straight to Ruari Taylor gave us the chance to counter attack, Ruari found Aaron Bonner in space who scampered down the wing and passed inside to Paul Paxton who in turn kicked on into West’s 22 where James Evans picked it up to score and convert his own try.
Sam came back on just before half time where the score was 0-21 to Ellon.
West came strongly at Ellon in the second half but Ellon’s defence was holding strong, Ellon eventually had the ball after some phases were rewarded a penalty just outside West’s 22 which Paul Paxton put over giving the score 0 - 24.
With Ellon beginning to tire, West were throwing everything at them. Ellon’s penalty count was getting quite high and the home support were getting frustrated at this and their inability to break Ellon down, West kicked through and an unfortunate coming together with Ben Fordyce and the West kicker resulted in a West penalty and Ellon’s second yellow card. Finally after camping themselves in our 22 West crashed over for a score which was unconverted. Ellon were back to full strength (14) with the return of Ben, but with only 5 minutes to go West were rarely out of Ellon’s 22 and Ellon were on their last warning for any more penalties in the 22 and another yellow was coming, not much later a high tackle form Paul Paxton resulted in a penalty and yellow. From the penalty West took a quick tap and ran straight at Ellon’s defence which held firm and gave away a penalty themselves. This was the last play as the ball was kicked out and the referee blew for full time. 5-24
Head Coach Scott Munro said “A good day at the office for the players and coaches with the work on the paddock finally paying off”. “Many thanks to our ever loyal support who finally had something to cheer about on their travels (Sorry Iain!)”.
Vice President Gareth Kemp said “A fantastic result at a very hard place to go and play”. “Especially as we played with only 14 men, actually only 13 for 25 minutes with the yellows!”. “This has been coming for a long time and the lads have finally found the mind set to finish the big games”.
Next up is two home games for Ellon, East Kilbride this Saturday, and then Mackie the following Saturday.
A mixed S1/2 team travelled to Grangemouth for a round Robin against Grangemouth and Oban Lorne. Two great performances gave two wins for the mixed Ellon team. Grangemouth 8 Ellon 32, Oban 6 Ellon 32.