Coaches :-                                                                                                            Ian Cochrane, Derek Aitken, John McDonald, Jeff Mountain, Phil Copland
Team :-
 

S1 & S2 MATCH REPORTS  

Aberdeen Grammar - 14 .12 .03

IT was a cold and windswept Rubislaw ground that greeted the Ellon's S1 and S2 squads when they travelled to Aberdeen to play Grammar on Sunday. But while the weather may have been chill but the action on the field was anything but with some fine rugby being played despite the conditions.

This was the junior section's last encounter until late January. The break provides an ideal opportunity for any youngster hoping to become the next Johnny Wilkinson to come to the Meadows and try the game.

Training takes place on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Any lads or lasses interested in playing rugby at should contact Junior Section Convener Colin Tennant on 01358 723064.


 

Aberdeen Grammar 9          Ellon    21

Both S2 sides had a lot to prove as, on their last meeting, the Ellon team secured the North East District championship.

Ellon's first attack set the tone of the game with the forwards taking the game to their opponents and forcing them deep into their own half. Grammar scrambled the ball clear but Ellon's superior forward organisation soon regained the ball and drove onwards. Ellon scored twice in the first 10 minutes as Grammar fought to slow the momentum of the Ellon side.

Grammar had two or three speedy runners and their game plan was to use these to round the Ellon defence. Ellon should have capitalised on their lead but Grammar pegged them back to level terms just before half time with breakaway scores. Ellon regrouped and scored again with some excellent linking between forwards and backs before the break. The blustery wind made kicking difficult for both sides and neither side’s kickers could find the range.

The half time whistle saw Ellon leading Grammar by  nine points to six and the order to team was more of the same in the second half.

The visiting forwards worked as a pack to secure any loose ball and relentlessly ground the Grammar side down. Most scrums went Ellon's way with many against the head. Grammar's handling errors increased, as they were now playing into the wind and rain that Ellon had suffered in the first half.

Ellon added a new weapon to their armoury by chip kicking behind the tiring Grammar defence who were now being forced to turn and chase the ball into their own half with the Ellon backs hounding them at every turn. The Grammar spirit never wavered and they were still a potent force if they could find space to run. For the most part Ellon contained these but Grammar scored once again to Ellon's three before the final whistle. The Ellon kicker had found his range and converted all three tries.

Coach Ian Cochrane said, “Initially we didn’t know what to expect when the game started. We knew that Grammar would come at us after our last game. However our forwards simply denied them any clean ball to work with.

“Even though it wasn’t a day for passing, the backs were able to spread the ball wide adding to Aberdeen’s trouble by attacking on the wings. Our weak point was tackling the Grammar runners.”

Coach Derek Aitken agreed “ The scores against us were from long diagonal runs. These should have been stopped earlier. The Ellon boys could cope with direct breaks but no one seemed to want to take responsibility for the diagonal runners. It’s a small failing but it cost us three scores in the end.

“Overall the coaches are delighted with the progress that the boys are making. As some spectators said, Ellon had a team while Grammar had some excellent individuals.”

Try Scorers: Kyle Adalsteinsson (2), Michael Bryce, Scott Cochrane, Kyle Hutton      , Ali Rose. Conversions: James Caven (3).

Ellon S2 Team from: Kyle Adalsteinsson, Michael Allan, Arran Browne, Michael Bryce, Scott Cochrane (Captain), Ben Collins, Danny Copland, Arran Eley, Benoit Guidicelli, Alastair Gossip, Robin Holligan, Kyle Hutton, Rory McDonald, John McLean, Martin Milne, Jamie Simpson, Alistair Rose, Billy Coupar.

S1 & P7 Match Report

A scratch team made up of S1's and P7's matched up against Aberdeen
Grammar and Aboyne at S1 level. Unfamiliarity amongst the scratch team
lead to a little confusion in the first half against Grammar which saw
Ellon go into the break 15 - 5 down.

A vast improvement in the second half saw Ellon place Grammar under severe pressure, which enabled them to capitalise and draw level late in the second period.
The Ellon forwards seemed much hungrier and quicker to the breakdown in
the second half which nearly produced the match winning try in the last
minute only to have the ball held up when over the try line.

Following a very quick break - induced mainly by the atrocious weather
conditions - Ellon lined up - somewhat tired - against Aboyne.
Unfortunately whilst lining up for the kick off the Ellon side entered a
sleep like trance. By the time the Ellon side had woken up they were
five tries down and already at the half time break. The second half
produced the fighting and determined play witnessed in the second half
against Grammar and although battle weary, they finished the game very
respectably and matched an Aboyne try with a score of their own.

"Overall, a very encouraging performance and credit must be given to the
younger P7 lads who showed determination and drive as did the new club
members appearing at S1 level for the first time," said coach Jeff Mountain. "In reality Ellon played one wonderful game - it was just a shame one half of this was
played against Grammar and the other half against Aboyne. "

S1 team: Lee Adams, Sylvester Cadger, Craig Catto, Michael Copland, Kristopher Dey, Grant Fox, James Halmshaw, Calvin Hamilton, Shaun Marr, Sam Mountain, Andrew Ovenstone, Keith Ross, Joe Senior, Jonathan Stalker, Rory Yuill.