GHA RFC MATCH 83: ELLON RFC 14 – 29 GHA RFC
2005/2006: Scottish Cup 3rd Round
ELLON RFC |
|
GHA RFC| J. Young | 15 | G. MacLure |
| Lamont | 14 | R. Watson |
| P. Badham | 13 | R. West |
| Bone | 12 | A. Bulloch |
| Hunter | 11 | N. Cassie |
| M. Ryan | 10 | M. Dunn |
| Leith | 9 | P. Johnstone |
| Kenny | 1 | W. Falconer |
| Cox | 2 | D. Ziolo |
| Stark | 3 | D. Prankard |
| Gillies | 4 | C. Mason |
| F. Young | 5 | A. Williamson |
| McDade | 6 | G. Harkness |
| McKay | 7 | J. Fitzpatrick |
| Fiti | 8 | L. Hazelton |
| Noble | 16 | Z. McIllwham |
| C. Nicol | 17 | C. Forrester |
| Patterson | 18 | |
| Whalen | 19 | |
| Nicol | Try | Cassie, Harkness, Watson, West |
| Con | Dunn (3) | |
| Ryan (3) | Pen | Dunn |
| DG | ||
| Referee | ||
| Mr A. Hoyle | ||
There was no despondency in Premiership Three Ellon’s camp after a spirited performance against Premiership Division 2 side GHA, who admitted to being surprised by the ferocity of the challenge from the Meadows men.
Visiting coach Roddy Moir said: “We knew they were good and they certainly matched us up front. We had the edge in the back division.”
Ellon’s director of rugby Alex Duncan acknowledged the visitors had the better of affairs out wide in the third round BT Cup clash, but said: “They never created a try as all their scores came from turnovers, but I give them credit for taking advantage of the situation.” Duncan praised his side and said: “We showed character energy and appetite. I couldn’t ask for any more.” Coach Kevin Wyness was equally fulsome in his praise and said: “This was our best game in six or seven starts which, given the reshuffling we had to do, was a remarkable achievement.”
Ellon got off to the best of starts when their prolific goal kicker, stand off Mark Ryan slotted a 49-metre penalty in four minutes, giving the home support hope of a surprise result.
GHA eased themselves back into the game with a similar, but easier, kick from their stand off Martin Dunn before winger Rory Watson pushed the visitors ahead with a try against the run of play to add insult to injury Dunn added the conversion.
The scoreline might have been closer had referee Alan Hoyle given Ellon the benefit of a blatant piece of obstruction on centre Paul Badham, who had the line at his mercy. Nothing daunted Ellon and they hit back with another Ryan penalty, but had the normally reliable kicker been at the top of his game he might have added a further four to his tally.
Ellon were, nevertheless, firmly in contention at the break trailing 10-6.
Immediately after the interval Ryan reduced the deficit to one point, but then Ellon were hit by a two-try burst and with both Neil Casey and Graham Harkness’ efforts being converted by Dunn the game had gone from Ellon.
To their credit Ellon then enjoyed their best spell and were rewarded through their inspired pack who took flanker Craig Nicol over the line for a merited try.
GHA had the last word when centre Ross West crossed the line for the final score of the day.
Source: The Scotsman, Sunday 4th December 2005 & The Press & Journal, Monday 5th December 2005
