U11s show mettle against Ashbourne

This weekend saw Ilkeston under 11s make the trip to Derbyshire neighbours Ashbourne. Having played a very close match during the NLD qualifiers in November the Ilkeston coaches expected a tough match again.
Some enforced changes meant the young Elks squad again changing their positions and showing their versatility. The first ten minutes saw Ilkeston start well with Aidan Norris using his strength and battering ram technique to drive from the half way line to score his first try of the day. This was converted by Joseph Doughty. This only woke up the home side who immediately from the kick off used their darting backs to run back at the Ilkeston defence and catching them wrong footed were able to score a converted try. Only good tackling from wingers Connor Corrigan and Luke Moore ensured that Ashbourne did not add to their score. Ilkeston's forwards were now starting to compete with their opposite numbers and whilst the scrum was solid, Ashbourne counter-rucked the Elks on many occasions. The front row of Norris, Felix Rabusin and Connor Connelley worked tirelessly and were finally rewarded as they pushed Rabusin over to score his second try of the season. This was converted by fly half Isaac Smith. Half time score Ashbourne 7 Ilkeston 14.
The half time break saw the Ilkeston coaches reiterating the need for the ball to be kept in the forwards and ensure that the Ashbourne backs were starved of ball as with every opportunity in the first half they had attacked and only been stopped by great tackling. However, with this fresh in their minds, Ilkeston immediately let the Ashbourne backs have the ball, and using the width of the pitch were able to score in the corner after a missed tackle. This was duly converted to make the scores level.
The introduction of Alfie Cox and Jordan Pritchett into the front row shored up the pack allowing the second row of Billy Derbyshire and Norris to break quickly around the field. Moore made way for Sam Rose on the wing and Ilkeston entered the last fifteen minutes set for a tough finale. The response was excellent and whilst the backs had constantly cut back into the forwards all morning they were finally rewarded with Smith drifting the whole width of the pitch to score around the winger. Conversion missed by Doughty. Ilkeston were now in the ascendency, Cameron Greenfield broke straight through the Ashbourne defence to score a converted try. The loss of both Greenfield and his centre partner Zack Lebeter, saw the return of captain Robbie Boddington in the centre, this helping straighten the line up when ball was in hand. Ben Middleton constantly darted with the ball from the base of the scrum making valuable distance.
The final play of the game saw Norris score his thirteenth try of the season as he broke off the side of a ruck to score. Smith converting. Final score Ashbourne 14 Ilkeston 33.

A great performance from the Ilkeston forwards but the score line could have been greater had the backs running lines been more direct at times. Overall the correct result and ensured that the Ilkeston squad continue to develop. Man of the match - Forwards Aidan Norris - Backs Ben Middleton.

Squad - Aidan Norris, Alfie Cox, Ben Middleton, Billy Derbyshire, Cameron Greenfield, Connor Connelley, Connor Corrigan, Felix Rasbusin, Isaac Smith, Jordan Pritchett, Joseph Doughty, Luke Moore, Robbie Boddington, Sam Rose, Zack Lebeter.

Jon Doughty