PRIMARY FIVE MATCH REPORTS

MUSSELLBURGH MINI RUGBY TOURNAMENT

Ellon had long been looking forward to last fixture of the season as the North-east team has had a good relationship with this southern club for some time and always enjoyed both the hospitality and the level of competition this tournament has provided. This occasion was to prove no different with Ellon placed in the hardest draw against some very stiff opposition which was taken as a compliment. Once again Ellon was joined by its travelling band of supporters who as ever were noticed by all for their vocal support of the teams. As ever I would like to extend the thanks of both players and coaches for their continued help in away games.

Ellon 11 Portabello 0

It has been a couple of years since Ellon has come up against this particular side and at that meeting Ellon dominated the games. This meeting was to prove no different and in fact with the improvements in Ellon’s skill level the Edinburgh side stood no chance.

Right from the kick-off Ellon’s forwards hammered into an unsuspecting Portabello defence and in a matter of moments were inches from the try line. With a quick release from Ellon to the backs the ball was quickly passed along the line to score the first point with ease. This was to set the pace for the rest of the game with Ellon continually breaking the defence or forcing errors on Portobello. However Portabello continued to try new tactics only to be blocked by a superior Ellon team who brushed the opposition aside. The best moment of this game was when Shaun Marr drove forward for more than 15metres to score his first ever try; the look of joy on his face alone was worth the trip down.

Ellon 1 North Berwick 6

North Berwick has, over the last two seasons, has proved to be Ellonís bogey team. With their undoubted skills and additional training at school they have proven a match for Ellon. This time Ellon was in no mood to give away a victory to this team, the initial clash was in mid-field with Ellon’s forwards easily holding Berwick back with aggressive driving. Ellon looked close to scoring, but an unexplained decision gave a penalty to Berwick much to the bemusement of players, coaches and spectators alike. Ellon however stopped any forward movement and in fact regained the ball but loose handling allowed Berwick to pick and run. This was to prove Ellon’s undoing as Berwick fast wingers easily outpaced Ellon’s backs to pick up a point. This situation cropped up time after time with Ellon facing both strange decisions and Berwick attacks the game swung Berwick way. However Ellon never gave up hope and despite the odds managed to score through a brilliant interception.

Team:  Michael Copland, James Halmshaw, Scott Leng, Shaun Marr, Andrew Ovenstone, Stephen Robinson, Alistair Rodman, Keith Ross, George Taylor.

WHITECRAIGS, GLASGOW, FRIENDLY – September 9, 2001

Ellon’s youngest rugby team returned triumphant from their first fixture of the new season in Glasgow on Sunday.

The Primary Four squad notched up three consecutive wins against their Central Belt opponents, while the three other teams in the Ellon mini rugby section returned with mixed results.

A good crowd of parents and supporters followed the squad coach to Whitecraigs RFC in the first of a season of journeys down south to take on the best in Scottish rugby.

 Mini section convener Jim Millar said the youngsters were determined to emulate the senior players in constantly improving their skills and the reputation of ERFC.

“To do this, we have no choice but to play 95 Per cent of the season in the southern half of the country,” added Mr Millar.  “We can only thank the growing number of supporters who are willing to undertake these journeys to support the young players.”

Primary Five

Ellon 3   Whitecraigs 4

The P5s got off to a slow start in their first match and found themselves defending for the first five minutes before conceding the first try.  This galvanised the team into action with Alistair Rodman leading a breakaway charge up the field.  Whitecraigs found themselves defending against strong probing runs by Rodman, Keith Ross and Jordan Tijou with Andrew Ovenstone constantly looking for an opening.  Finally Ovenstone found space and with blistering pace threw himself over the line. This set the tone for the match with Whitecraigs using their superior size and Ellon their driving skills with most of the action in midfield and the score remaining even at half time. 

Ellon restarted the game in high spirits.  Some superb running play from Scott Leng and forward work from Tijou, Rodman and Matthew Dalton broke the deadlock with two successive tries by Tijou and Rodman.  Whitecraigs struck back hard using their height advantage to drive for the line twice.  With seconds to go, a draw looked likely, but Ellon uncharacteristically dropped their defences to allow Whitecraigs to win the match.

Ellon 5   Helensburgh 1

Ellon took to the field in a very determined mood and anxious to regain their honour.  Within two minutes, Ellon scored after moving the ball from Leng on one side of the pitch to George Taylor on the other in a performance beyond their years.  Not one pass was missed, setting up a try which stunned Helensburgh.  They tried to come back, but the Ellon forwards stopped each attack with some aggressive tackling, with little Dalton throwing himself at a far bigger opponent to stop him in his tracks.  By half time Ellon led 3-0.

Ellon briefly dropped their guard in the second half, allowing Helensburgh to score one try, but all this did was make them more determined to hit back.  The team fought every step of the way against a dogged defence, but their perseverance paid off with two further tries.  Scores came from Tijou, Ovenstone (2) and Rodman (2).  P5 coach Jim Millar described the season’s first performance as brilliant.  “They showed the skills and determination which have earned Ellon’s mini rugby players such high respect throughout Scotland.”

Team: Andrew Ovenstone (captain), Sean Broadley, Matthew Dalton, Scott Leng, Alistair Rodman, Keith Ross, George Taylor, Scott Tijou.

THE MEADOWS, ELLON, FRIENDLY – September 16, 2001

Two of Ellon’s mini rugby teams managed a clean sweep against of victories over two of their toughest rivals on Sunday.

The four mini rugby teams were playing at their home ground, The Meadows, against the highly-rated Aberdeen Grammar and Stirling County in their second fixture of the season.

Spectators witnessed some of the best games seen at Ellon at this level outside of the annual tournament, said ERFC mini section convener Jim Millar.  Ellon was able to thrill many of their supporters without whom the atmosphere would not have been as tense and dramatic.

Ellon 2   Aberdeen Grammar 5

Ellon  took the field against the same team that denied them a title last season in controversial circumstances. However they appeared daunted by the larger and heavier team and with Grammar’s more physical tactics soon coming in to play, the team was not allowed to settle. By half time a battered Ellon team found its self down by three points and their spirit was equally bruised.   However after the team talk they were determined to uphold Ellon's honour. The second half started much as the first, but Ellon doggedly fought back and was able to drive a try over the line by sheer determination.  However Grammar were able to push through three more tries in succession. This made the Ellon players determined to salvage something from this game and by using open running play, a final try was scored just on the final whistle.  Tries by Jordan Tijou and Andrew Ovenstone

Ellon 6   Stirling County 6

Both teams have a reputation for skilful open running play and showed how mini rugby should be played with excellent handling and a free movement of play.  However Ellon's nerves showed after their last encounter and through a series of unforced errors, Stirling were three points clear at half time.  Ellon immediately went on the attack in the second half, quickly moving up field.  Tijou received a lovely pass from Ross and burst past Stirling for the first try. This opened the floodgates and with continued running attacks Ovenstone, Tijou, Keith Ross and James Halmshaw all broke through for at least one try each.  Stirling never gave up and their repeated attacks were only stemmed by the determination of Scott Leng, Sean Broadley and John McLean, all of whom saved possible tries by tryline tackles. However a team as good as Stirling cannot long be denied and they to were able to score another three tries. Tries by Tijou, Ovenstone, Halmshaw and Ross

Ellon 7   Aberdeen Grammar 3

It was plain to see that the Grammar team was about to take this game as a forgone conclusion. As soon as Grammar touched the ball, Ellon struck hard, forcing a loose ball which they gathered and Ovenstone made an unstoppable dash for the tryline.  Aggressive driving and tackling by Ellon meant Grammar was not able to respond. By half-time the score stood at 3-1 to Ellon who had absorbed everything that the opposition threw at them.

This revitalised Ellon had shaken Grammar’s confidence and they continually made unforced errors when challenged by Ellon forwards.  However the skilled Grammar made some running attacks.  With Ellon’s forwards engaging the Grammar players, the backs were left to defend, hammering Grammar to the ground. They could not stop every attack and Grammar were able to put another two points on the score board.  Halmshaw hammered through Grammar’s defence to score two truly stunning tries.  Ovenstone stripped another ball from the arms of a grammar player and ran past a poor defence to score.  The hard working Ross gathered yet another loose ball and with the Ellon spectators cheering him on he finished the game with another try in the corner.  Tries by Tijou, Ovenstone, Halmshaw, Ross.

Team: Andrew Ovenstone (captain), Sean Broadley, James Halmshaw, Scott Leng, John McLean, Keith Ross, Jordan Tijou.

CURRIE, EDINBURGH, FRIENDLY – September 23, 2001

Ellon’s mini rugby players travelled to the heartland of Scottish rugby on Sunday to given a lesson in the game to some of the country’s best teams.

The squad returned from the Stewart’s Melville grounds in Edinburgh with enough wins to prove that they were in the premier league for their age group.

After the series of friendly matches against the cream of the Central Belt, ERFC mini section convener Jim Millar said, “Once again a little town in the North-east has proved that we can take on the best that Scotland has to offer.”

He added: “As always we owe a debt of gratitude to the away supporters who make a vital difference to the game.  Their cheering stiffens the players’ resolve and shows the coaches that they are not alone.” Ellon’s mini rugby players travelled to the heartland of Scottish rugby on Sunday to given a lesson in the game to some of the country’s best teams.

The squad returned from the Stewart’s Melville grounds in Edinburgh with enough wins to prove that they were in the premier league for their age group.

After the series of friendly matches against the cream of the Central Belt, ERFC mini section convener Jim Millar said, “Once again a little town in the North-east has proved that we can take on the best that Scotland has to offer.”

He added: “As always we owe a debt of gratitude to the away supporters who make a vital difference to the game.  Their cheering stiffens the players’ resolve and shows the coaches that they are not alone.” 

Ellon 1   Currie 2

Ellon came straight from the changing rooms on to the pitch against a side with an awesome reputation, but both teams showed skills well beyond their years.  Ellon’s trademark set piece attacks were countered with aggressive defence, but Currie’s running play was halted by the formidable Ellon forwards.  Most of the first half was played in the middle of the pitch, but a brilliant dummy pass opened Ellon’s defences and allowed a try.  Minutes later a similar move let through another try.  In the second half, Ellon put on a show of aggressive driving and the forwards made deep inroads through Currie’s defence.  Five metres from the line, Currie were forced to expose their flank and Andrew Ovenstone took advantage to score.  However the final few minutes of the game remained in a stalemate, ending in Currie’s favour.

Ellon 1   Watsonians 4

Ellon re-entered the fray against another big name in the unknown territory of school rules.  This set Ellon back with many of their moves being unexpectedly penalised and moves that are illegal in club rugby being allowed.  However the opposition played a wonderful game of running rugby with extremely quick handling.   Ellon soon found themselves three points down and half-time was a welcome break.  Ellon adapted their play in the second half, retaining the ball with the forwards and driving up the field before Ovenstone broke to score.  But Watsonians came back with their running play and passed Ellon to seal the match with a final try.

Ellon 1   Stewart’s Melville 5

Ellon took to the pitch with only a few minutes break to be confronted with another set of rules.  This combined with fatigue was disaster.  Melville continually pushed Ellon back and the players had no answer to this despite encouragement on and off the pitch.  At half-time, Ellon was don by five points.  However Ellon refused to give in and punished each Melville attack hard.  The backs tackled as well as the forwards, stopping the opposition in their tracks.  By this time Melville play was looking ragged, and a combined effort by the entire Ellon team drove the ball up the pitch.  James Halmshaw hammered through the defence and powered over the line dragging two Melville players with him for Ellon’s only score of the match.

Ellon 4   Linlithgow 0

Back to standard rules again, Ellon came into their own, continually gaining possession and punishing opposition mistakes.  Again strong set piece play and discipline won the day with Lewis Tritton and Ovenstone scoring in the first half.  Although visibly tired the team took to the second half in determined mood, doggedly pushing forward and threatening to score.  After a lot of pressure, Ellon broke free, allowing Ovenstone, then George Taylor to score in a worthy victory.

Team: Andrew Ovenstone (captain), Sean Broadley, James Halmshaw, Scott Leng, John McLean, Keith Ross, George Taylor, Lewis Tritton. 

ABERDEEN GRAMMAR TOURNAMENT – September 30, 2001

ELLON'S mini rugby squad are celebrating their first trophies of the season after lifting two winners' shields at a major tournament in Aberdeen at the weekend.

The primary five and six teams swept the field at Aberdeen Grammar's Rubislaw grounds to take their first silverware of the season, while the primary four and seven squads came runners up in their groups.

The victories marked one of the most successful weekends in the history of the ERFC mini section, with every player taking home a medal.

Stunned Aberdeen Grammar hosts were left dumbfounded as half of their gleaming trophies were loaded on to the Ellon coach to make their way to their new home for at least the next year. 

Mini section convener Jim Millar said the wins cemented Ellon's reputation as the leading force in rugby across the North-east of Scotland and as one of the country's top mini rugby sections.

"Hopefully this will be the first of many such triumphs," said Mr Millar.  "The big task now is making sure the boys keep a level head and maintain the superb standard of rugby we saw on Sunday.

"As usual, the travelling support made the day.  Our supporters were given a feast of sporting skills in return for letting our boys know their efforts were being cheered on from the sidelines."

Ellon 5   Madras 2

From the whistle Ellon was determined to dominate the game and with a superb drive from the forwards, the Madras defence was in tatters.  Madras was forced to use five players to stop Ellon's three forwards from gaining more ground.  In a well rehearsed move, the forwards funnelled the ball back to the hands of Ovenstone who quickly passed to the backs to take advantage of the space Madras had left.  This formaula was to wrok again two minutes later with another score.  However Madras never let up and an unforced error allowed them through to score.  A quick pass from the tap to the Ellon backs saw the team quickly back at the try line.  Strong teamwork from the forwards allowed Ellon to move the ball out to the backs to score again.  Starting the second half, Madras hit back with a quick try.  Ellon immediately attacked again with the forwards' powerful driving setting the backs up to cross the line.  A final try came after Ellon ripped the ball from Madras and ran through a confused opposition.

Ellon 4   Huntly 0

Huntly started using defensive tactics to good effect.  Ellon was made to work for every inch of ground, with every player being used to move the ball forward.  The first try came after four minutes.  After the tap, Huntly lost possession in a series of hard tackles, setting Ellon up again for a hard push forward to get the ball over the line.  The second half was a repeat of the first with Huntly determined to limit the damage, but Ellon's greater desire to win proved the deciding factor.

Ellon 11   Perthshire 0

Ellon found themselves up against a competition favourite, but proved again they have no respect for reputations.  As soon a s Perthshire touched the ball, they were tackled, losing possession.  With the ball in safe hands, Ellon's forwards tore a whole in the Perthshire defence to drive over the line.  This action was repeated time after time with Perthsire desperately trying new tactics to stop Ellon -- even to the extent of their coach playing part of the game.  But they were brushed aside by the Ellon team.  The game quickly truned into a rout with Perthshire never leaving their own half.

With the weather worsening, the tournament committee stopped the P5 play and decided to award the tournament on a points basis.  With their nearest rivals only able to score 11 points and conceding six,  Ellon were clear and deserved winners.  Coach Jim Millar said, "This Ellon team put in one of the fiest performances seen at this level.  They were a credit to themselves and the whole community."

Team: Andrew Ovenstone (captain), Sean Broadley, James Halmshaw, Scott Leng, John McLean, Alistair Rodman, Keith Ross, George Taylor.

GLASGOW ACADEMICALS TOURNAMENT – October 7, 2001 

Ellon’s youngest rugby team brought home silver medals at the weekend after taking on some of the best teams in Scotland at a major tournament in Glasgow on Sunday.

Television presenter and comedian Fred Macauley presented the medals to Ellon’s primary four team after they made it to the final of the Glasgow Academicals tournament.

Ellon’s P5 were knocked out in the semi-finals after playing through their pool group one man down, while the primary six and seven teams performed with distinction.

ERFC mini section convener Jim Millar said the teams had again showed they were competing in the top league of Scottish mini rugby.

“Ellon is now a major force in Scottish rugby thanks to the efforts of these kids who turn out to play week after week and the parents and supporters who cheer them on,” said Mr Millar.

Ellon 4   Lenzie 0

Lenzie made a fatal mistake before this game even kicked off by saying in front of the Ellon players that this game was already won since Ellon only had seven players. With Lenzie kicking off Ellon had to make a good start and they did immediately.  Stripping the ball from the unprepared opposition they proceeded to drive up the field in a series of well-rehearsed moves.  The forwards quickly put the team in position for a strike for the touch line. With the ball now in the hands of the backs they drove for the line putting the first points on the board.  Lenzie quickly hit back, forcing the whole Ellon team to defend every step of the way.   But Ellon’s powerful forwards managed to retrieve the ball and again head up the field.  They continually forced Lenzie to retreat and in a copy of the first try,the backs scored.  Again from the whistle, Ellon went on the attack, and despite the numbers advantage, Lenzie were unable to prevent Ellon from driving once again up the field to score twice more. At no point during this game were Lenzie able to enter the Ellon half, such was the level of defence displayed by every member of the team.

Ellon 2   Whitecraigs 1

These two teams had met early in September when Whirecraigs had narrowly beaten Ellon in a hard fought match. Now with a numbers advantage they must have thought that another victory was on the cards. However once again the Ellon players went on the attack, but with the numbers, the powerful Whitecraigs team held Ellon in the middle of the pitch.  With both teams locked it was only a matter of time before something gave and with a forced error, Ellon lost the ball.  With most of the team committed to defence the try was easily taken.  For the rest of this half the play followed a similar theme,  However neither team was able to get the break necessary to score.  Again in the second half, the action was in the middle where a truly competitive game was played.  Both teams fought to gain control of the ball, but it was Ellon who gained the advantage to score. With time running out, Whitecraigs started to lose their discipline and the Ellon forwards managed to drive the ball through a stunned defence to score in the dying seconds of the game.

Ellon 1   Glasgow Academicals 3

Ellon’s opponents had obviously watched the team closely since they adopted a more running play.  This was to be Ellon’s undoing.  With a combination of tiredness and being one man down, their opponents were able bypass the forwards several times.  It was only due to truly heroic defence by the backs that half time the score was only 2-0.  Again Ellon was forced to dig deep to come back at this team, but again by outrunning the tired forwards Accies were able to score one more time.  But determined to salvage something from the game, Ellon dragged themselves up the pitch with every team member involved.  This was a do or die play.  The home team threw everything at this drive, but Ellon managed to drive the ball over the line. With this point, Ellon despite the odds had achieved something that had never before happened at this tournament -- with only seven players they had earned a place in the semi-finals.

Ellon 0   North Berwick 7

Ellon was asked to take the field immediately after playing Glasgow Accies and despite the obvious tiredness the whole team agreed to play again.  Right from the start it was clear that the last three games had drained the Ellon team.  Their tired legs were not able to catch their rested opponents and despite their best efforts, Berwick quickly scored.  However Ellon never gave up and continually pushed forward only to lose the ball time after time.  Each score only drove Ellon to try harder despite the pain and by the end of this match the supporters of both teams cheered the tired but proud Ellon team from the pitch.  Coach Jim Millar said he was extremely proud of the team.  “This tournament was a major test with the P5s playing against the best in the area with only seven players. However this team has shown over the last few weeks a determination to beat the odds and today was no exception,” he added.