Ellon Rugby Club's youth squads start season with matches against Dundee
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Ellon Rugby Club's youth teams played their first games in the Caledonia conference at the weekend.
The squads started their seasons with an away trip to Dundee.
The matches would see the under 18s down to the under 13s play.
The Dundee under 18s were unable to raise a team, so the game was awarded to Ellon.
The under 13s and under 14s played first. The U14 was a development game as Ellon were missing five players due to Covid isolation. It was played 11-a-side and then some player mixing, with Dundee awarded the game. The final score was 30-8 to Dundee.
It was a strong performance by the under 13s team. The three 15-minute sessions were played with Ellon having the upper hand.
A strong dominant pack helped the fast agile backs perform to a strong level. Ellon scored nine tries, while Dundee managed three; with six conversions to one. The final score was 33-10 to Ellon – three points for a try and one for a conversion.
The try scorers for Ellon were JJ Henderson (two), Struan Leiper (three), Finlay Coutts, Finley Scarisbrick, Lewis Pearce and Rory Smith.
The under 15s played a development game as Dundee had under 12 players. This was a full development match and the final score was a 63-26 win for Ellon.
The under 16s played a normal game and was a great one for the spectator. It was a close encounter with the lead changing hands a lot.
Ellon scored first after absorbing a lot of pressure with Odhran Manion getting the try.
Dundee scored five minutes later and their conversion gave them the lead.
Before half-time Ellon got a try back through Ras Brazier and the conversion was scored by Dylan Jakeman.
In the second half Dundee scored again before Seb Orus replied for Ellon.
Dundee got one more and then Jakeman got another try.
A late score from Ciaran Kane sealed a 34-21 win for Ellon. It was a strong battling performance against a good Dundee team. Two players from the under 15s gained great development by playing a level above.
Ellon girls travelled to Inverurie to play Garioch in some friendly games.
Next for the Ellon teams are home matches at The Meadows against Huntly/Moray combined this weekend.
