Coaches :- Colin Tennant, Mike Shirron, Mike Elliot
Team :- The Predators    Sponsored By :- 
The first competitive team in the age groups to play, very basic rugby that is designed to give them a taste for the sport without being to competitive.   

PRIMARY FOUR MATCH REPORTS  

Grammar Tournament 23/05/04

Ellon RFC’s P4-P7 teams ended their season in fine form when the brought back a winners’ trophy and two runners-up placements from the annual Aberdeen Grammar tournament.

This was Ellon’s last fixture of the packed 2003 / 2004 season and the P4 prizewinning effort and the successes at P5 and P6 level were just reward for the year-long efforts of the players and coaches.

The Sunday outing followed the end of season awards ceremony which took place at the Meadows last Saturday.

Match reports are as follows:

Ellon 9 Garioch 0

The day got underway with a game against Garioch and the Ellon boys started well against a less experienced team. They worked well together and made sure they retained possession of the ball. The first score came from the new holder of the Captain’s Shield – Bradley Fraser. This was swiftly followed by two for Ben Shirron and another for Fraser. Sam McEvilly, this season’s Most Improved Player struck next after providing good support and being in the right place at the right time. At this point Douglas Hitchcock and B. Fraser were substituted for Matthew Emmison and Scott Fraser. The boys played well and progress in their skill level was evident. Further scores came from Shirron, McEvilly and Gavin Reed and James McCavanagh joint recipients of  this year’s Most Valuable Player award.

Ellon 5 Howe of Fife 2

Howe provided a tough game for Ellon at the recent home tournament but Ellon were ready for them. Things started well and again some good support and offloading in contact saw scores come for B. Fraser and McCavanagh. Shirron was obviously hungry for more and scored another two on the trot. Some changes were made to allow everyone a run out so Reed and Hitchcock were substituted for Craig Dalgarno and Robbie Couper. The changes maybe unsettled the boys slightly and Howe took advantage of the fact and ran in two tries. This gave the boys a wake up call to which the reply was a fine score for Dalgarno after picking up a loose ball from a ruck and driving over the line.

Ellon 5  Mackie 2

Ellon had last played Mackie at the recent home tournament. Encouraged by his team wee Matthew (Emmo) Emmison scored his first of the day. B. Fraser swiftly scored with his trademark zig zag run right through the opposing pack. A change out of bodies again allowed all a turn and Fraser, Fraser, Couper and Hitchcock came off to allow Shirron, McEvilly, McCavanagh and Reed on.

Again perhaps such a large change unsettled the boys and Mackie managed to score two good tries but it wasn’t long before the boys switched on and scores came from Emmison, McEvilly and Reed.

Ellon 5 Grammar 1

This was thought to be the hardest game of the day but the threat seemed to carry little weight. A pre match pep talk from the coaches spelt out this was the last time the boys would play together as a unit before the summer break and that they should really work as a unit and display their talent to the large travelling support from home.

The talk did the trick and the boys were spurred on to an impressive performance which was a treat to watch with scores from McEvilly, Reed, B. Fraser (2), McCavanagh, Hitchcock and Emmison. In the final minutes with the prize in sight they let their guard down and Grammar hit back but they were beaten by the whistle.

Coaches Colin Tennant and Mike Shirron said the boys have played well this year growing in confidence and skill every time out and they were delighted to have ended the season on a successful note.

“I’d like to thank the boys for their hard work and efforts this year. We’ve had some fun and with luck they will continue to go from strength to strength. It’s great to see them grow in confidence, skill and physical presence over the year. I’d also like thank Mike Shirron, Mike Elliot and Neil Emmison for their help with the coaching,” said Colin.

PRIMARY 4 squad: Robbie Couper, Craig Dalgarno, Matthew Emmison, Bradley Fraser, Scott Fraser, Douglas Hitchcock, James McCavanagh, Sam McEvilly, Gavin Reed, Ben Shirron.