Honours even against Bakewell

1st match – Bakewell 35 Elks 21; 2nd match – Elks 36 Bakewell 28
Squad present: Aneurin Lings, Ben Clements, Charlie Clarke, Elliott Harvey, Ellis Thomas, Fraser Douglas, George Beardsley, Jack Marshall, Jack (“Ed”) Mason Barton, James Semken, Michael Hayes, Sam Hines, Warwick Waudby.
We welcomed back Bakewell to the Stute – having recently met them in our NLD qualifying group and also earlier in the season at Belper - I’d like to take this opportunity to thank again both Ellis Thomas and Charlie Clarke (who were sharing scrum half duties for the day) they played a game each for the opposition, showing the true spirit and friendship of Rugby between the two clubs.
1st match – Elks took some time to wake up in this game, and by the time they did there was too much ground to make up, losing out eventually 5 tries to 3, Bakewell’s mazy little winger doing most of the damage running in 4 of their tries. There were some good signs to be had though, Stormin’ George Beardsley going over for his customary tries (2) and Warwick Waudby (1) – Jack Marshall was captain for the day and confidently took his conversions, and some good play by scrum half Ellis Thomas and handling and defensive cover by full back Aneurin Lings.
2nd match - Bakewell again started off the stronger team and went in at half time leading 14-5 – they then went over and scored a converted try making it 21-5. Elks then started making their tackles count, good work in that area coming from James Semken, Fraser Douglas, Jack Mason-Barton (“Ed”) and Ben Clements who along with the rest of the team managed to nullify Bakewell’s attack and gave us a springboard to mount a fantastic comeback. The forwards were beginning to gell together with good performances by Michael Hayes, Sam Hines and the very impressive Elliott Harvey, who’s driving mauls were gaining us good ground. These drives by Elliott seemed to galvanise our team and our try machines George (3) and Warwick (1) responded magnificently with surging try scoring runs, conversions rounded off by Charlie Clarke. Bakewell even managed another converted try in between our scores. This all happened in the blink of an eye, and we were now playing good Rugby just edging into a 31-28 lead with the referee calling “final play”. Instead of running the ball out Charlie picked the ball up from the half way line, gained good ground, was tackled and gave the ball pack to Elliott who drove Bakewell back a good 10 metres yet again with the other forwards joining in he managed to slip the ball to Sam Hines who rounded off a great move by scoring his 1st try of the season . What a finale, possibly the Under 11’s best 10 minutes of Rugby so far this season – well done lads.
Man of the match award was given to Jack Mason-Barton (“Ed”) for his dogged display of tackling out on the wing to limit and nullify Bakewell’s best player in the second match. Man of the match the previous week against Ashby went to Michael Hayes, who’s improving displays in the forward line merited recognition.
Kevin Hines