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News Article |
| ELLON 68 MORAY 1ST XV 15 |
| Tue 17th Apr 2018 |
 Moray 1st XV were comprehensively beaten by Ellon, by 68 points to 15, in the 'top of the table' clash last Saturday in Ellon. The convincing win saw the Aberdeenshire side leapfrog Moray to top position.
The Elgin side started brightly and for the first fifteen minutes, set up wave after wave of attack in the Ellon half. A few inaccuracies but mainly the quality and speed of the home defence, held them at bay.
The home side weathered this early storm and took the lead in the 20th minute. Loose ball was picked up on the Moray 10 and after a few driving phases, the ball was opened to the backs to run in a converted try for 7-0.
 Moray returned to the offensive but were again thwarted by great defence and in a three minute spell, they suddenly found themselves 21-0 down following breaks by the home stand-off and outside centre from inside their own half.
In the 35th minute, the visitor's scored their first points of the afternoon. After multiple phases of driving play in the 22, ball was moved wide through quick hands to full-back Callum Wright who scored an unconverted try in the corner for 21-5.
On the stroke of half-time, Ellon turned over ball when Moray tried to run out of their 22 and quick ball was moved wide for a converted try and a 28-5 lead at the break.
 Within 8 minutes of the restart, the Aberdeenshire side had added a further 13 points through two penalties an individual converted try from their impressive No 10.
Moray reduced the lead to 39-10 when replacement centre Frankie Du Toit scored an unconverted try in the 51st minute after good work by stand-off Jonny Haslam and second-row Connor Duncan.
The young Ellon side were putting great pace into every attack and the Elgin side were having difficulty defending this.
 Two further converted tries were added through line breaks before Moray captain and hooker Lewis Higgins added a third unconverted try for 51-15, after a number of driving phases following a scrum 5.
The Elgin side, although out if the game, went about looking for a fourth try bonus point but in the last 12 minutes, Ellon punished them with 3 final tries following inaccuracies and missed first up tackles.
 It had been an excellent all round display by Ellon and they were deserved winners on the day. They had learned from their defeat at Moray early in the season putting in a good shift against the strong Moray scrummage but more so in their efforts in an impressive defensive display as well as good continuity and fast attacking play.
Moray will need to bounce back quickly against Garioch at Morriston this weekend to try a keep up the pressure on Ellon in the hope that they slip up in their final games of the season. Kick-off is at 3pm.
(More images from this match can be found in the Gallery here.
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Caledonia 2 North |
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| Aberdeenshire |
12 |
46 |
| Highland 2nd XV |
11 |
46 |
| Moray |
12 |
40 |
| Ross Sutherland |
10 |
22 |
| Banff |
12 |
19 |
| Mackie |
10 |
10 |
| Aberdeen Grammar 2nd XV |
9 |
1 |
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Last 1st XV Game |
| 1st XV Season (2021/22) |
| Banff 33 - 39 Moray |
| 5th Mar 22 - KO: 15:00 |
| Venue: Duff House |
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