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Strathmore 27 - 17 Ellon

Strathmore's shadow side improved on recent results with a spirited victory against an Ellon fifteen that had players with Premiership experience.  Captain Dave Baldie was delighted to have a strong squad at his disposal for a change and they utilised it to the full.

The visitors started brightly playing in to a buffeting breeze, driving over after a lineout close to the Strathie line to open the scoring.  Strathie stand off Gary Robb then began to use the elements to pin Ellon back and win the territorial battle.  Strathie continued to press and were rewarded with a fine solo effort from Ross McAfferty who scorched down the left wing past two covering defenders before dotting the ball over the whitewash.  Robb narrowly missed the conversion attempt.  McAfferty was injured in his try scoring exploits and was replaced on the wing by veteran John Westwood.  Moments later Westwood was released on the wing by Atholl Bowman, though stopped a metre short he showed good awareness to pop the ball to the supporting Ewan Cameron for a great score.  Once again Robb missed the extra points.  Unfortunately Strathmore's defence was unable to keep out the next two Ellon attacks and went into the break 17-10 behind.

Coach Jason Leslie changed the line up in the second half and this definately aided the blacks cause as they dominated proceedings for the forty minutes.  Number eight Kenny Christie cut the Ellon as he took a quick tap and sprinted over from thirty metres for a well desrved try.  Strathie's back row snuffed out most of the danger from Ellon with flanker Bruce Morrice impressive in all phases.  Morrice has been unlucky to find himself on the finges of the senior side so often but displays like this can only impress selectors.  The team from Aberdeenshire tried to impose themselves on proceedings but couldn't keep  possession for long enough.  Man of the match Atholl Bowman turned over so much of Ellon's ball that they had little continuity and they simply could not penetrate the midfield defence.  Teenage hooker Calum Mollison showed great aggression and also pinched a couple of scrums against the feed but needs to work on his lineout throwing to have the complete game.  Strathmore took the lead with a classic scrum move with Christie passing inside to McIntyre who crashed through two tackles for the fourth try.  Robb finally found his range and stroked over the extra two points.  Surging with confidence Robb had the final say in this match with a memorable individual effort.  The youngster deftly chpped over the defence and arrived at the ball first, showing excellent control he toed the ball ahead before diving on the ball as it crept over the line.

There were staunch performances from all the home side and shows what can be achieved when a few senior players give their advice and experience to the talented youngsters at Inchmacoble Park.

Strathmore : E Cameron, J Kiely, D Baldie, A Bowman, R McAfferty, G Robb, D McIntyre, D Cashley, C Mollison, B Smeaton, F Cameron, G Thom, S Connolly, B Morrice, K Christie. Reps : G Fleming, J Westwood, R Wilson.