The U18 had the last game of the National League at home on Saturday and at the fourth time of asking East Kilbride finally were able to travel to Ellon.
Ellon kicked off with the wind at their backs and settled in to running their phases for the first 15-20 minutes and scored two tries for a 12-0 lead, for the remainder of the half they lost shape and discipline, giving away far too many penalties, but still managed to score and finish the half 19-0.
With East Kilbride having the wind in the second half, the Ellon players emphasised they could not let what happened against Royal High re-occur. Ellon kept the ball for long periods and frustrated the opposition into mistakes and they kept the score board ticking with tries.
Ellon's fitness in the last 10-15 minutes saw them punish the opposition and the final score finished 47-0.
Congratulations are due to Stuart Ovall for making his debut for the U18s and Nathan Shirron for opening his account with two scores.
Next week Ellon travel to Gordonstoun for the 1/4 final of the Caley Cup.
On Sunday Ellon U15 travelled to Highland for the Caley Cup second round. After a good bus trip they arrived at Canal Park a bit disappointing to see the poor state of all their pitches. Highland must be disappointed with the weather they have been experiencing. The lads got off to a good start from kick off taking the ball on and being rewarded with a penalty. The penalty was not taken quickly enough which resulted in a scrum to highland in which they scored from. Ellon were very slow to start but they got quick ball to the backs and Ryan Notton ran over for his first of three trys. The game was a challenge for Ellon in the forwards as the Highland boys were heavy and large. Ellon coped very well in the scrums but in the open play Highland made ground.
Highland scored again and the pitch and the weather was taking its toll. Ellon worked hard to win ball but the backs just could not get quick enough ball and Highland scored again off a mistake by Ellon, although the backs did get another break with quick ball to Ryan Notton and he crashed over the line. Ellon tried to run every ball instead of clearing their lines with the good old kick. Highland came through for another try that was converted. Yet again missed tackles and lack of vision resulting in the last score.
17- 10 Half time and the lads now had to play against the wind with some stern words and try and install some belief Ellon started well. They were tackling on the gain line or just before but Highland started kicking Ellon into the corners with poor line out conditions loosing ball and Highland mauled to the 5 and no 8 went round the maul uncontested for a well worked try. Heads started to drop and some of the players that were more experienced were not stepping up to the mark. Highland ran in two more trys and the heads were very low. One more team chat was let’s get the last score and work for last 10 minutes. The lads did very well and worked hard under pressure to get a ball spill, with a kick through from Ryan Notton to finish his hat trick of well-deserved scores. Final was 32-15.
Credit must be given to the lads they were playing against a strong Highland pack. Ellon gave away 3 try’s and were a bit intimidated. 90% of lads gave there all now need for the other 10% to work for the team. All in all it was a huge improvement to the last game where we lost 5-67 against Highland.
Ellon U15 now move into the Caledonia Plate, where they play Mackie on the 15th March at the Meadows.