U11's miss out to Moderns

After two good wins against Coalville and Chesterfield, Ilkeston were looking to continue this run with the visit of Nottingham Moderns to the Stute. Captain Robbie Boddington won the toss and decided to kick off. The Elks started confidently but were unable to turn their dominance into points. With the usual centres missing the usual confrontational approach was lost week and the Ilkeston backs allowed the Moderns backs opportunities to attack. This dominance finally played off after ten minutes when the fly half ran straight through the sleeping defence to score a converted try.

Ilkeston immediately attempted to respond with a strong run from winger Sam Rose, this was then attempted by his partner Connor Corrigan but again to no avail. Heads dropped slightly and this enabled Moderns to have a rare visit in to the Ilkeston half. The larger pack enabled the scrum half to be pushed over to score another converted try. The score was now 14-0 to the visitors and the young Elks had their back against the wall.

Ilkeston under 11’s finally awoke from their slumber, the late nights of X Factor and Call of Duty had taken the toll on the team. A break into the Moderns half through Jordan Pritchett and Connor Connelly who linked perfectly with Aidan Norris drove to within a couple of feet of the try line. Rather than panic left winger Corrigan picked up the ball and saw an opportunity on the blind side to score his first try of the season. Conversion was missed. The home side was now returning to its dominance in open play but unfortunately the forwards were constantly being turned over in the ruck play as they watched from afar as the Moderns players showed them how it is done.

Moments from the half time whistle Norris burst off on a wandering run breaking tackles to score an excellent individual try. This has been a great quality he has developed this season but without adequate forward support he is at times fighting a lone battle. Conversion missed. Half time score 10-14 to Moderns.

Changes were made by both teams to ensure the whole squad had game time. This saw Alfie Cox, Liam Flinders, Liam Arnott-Clark and Luke Moore entering the furore. The back line of Ben Middleton and Issac Smith continued to attempt to skip through the Moderns defence who held tight. Even with clean distribution to centres Joseph Doughty and Zack Lebeter no player could break the deadlock. Full back Christopher Goodall consistently swept up any loose ball kicked over the backs. What was very apparent was that each of the Ilkeston’s backs had developed a ‘tunnel vision’ approach and rather than running around their opposite number preferred the choice of running back into the forwards. One day a big ugly forward will wipe them out and they will start to listen to their coaches!!

The next move completely throws the rule book out as Doughty collected the ball just inside his half and weaved in and out of the Moderns players (See note above about forwards Joe) to score a very good individual try. Doughty also converted. Ilkeston were returning to the patterns we had seen over recent weeks. The scrum extremely secure even against very large opposition forwards and with changes in key positions. The rucking was the area constantly letting them down.

From these missed opportunities and the reluctance/desire of the Elks forwards to want the ball Moderns were able to drive through and score a converted try. Score with five minutes to go showed Moderns leading 21-17, everything to play for.

This was not to be and in the last minute Nottingham Moderns scored their final converted try through a very simple, direct run through the Ilkeston players. Final score Ilkeston 17 – Moderns 28. This was a very evening matched game and a pleasure to watch if an independent spectator however Ilkeston under 11s need to step up their game particularly as we approach the Derbyshire leg of the Nott’s, Linc's & Derbyshire competition this coming weekend.

Man of the match deservedly goes to Billy Derbyshire who is consistently preformed around the park each week.

Jon Doughty.