Solid display by under 11’s overwhelms plucky Derby side

Ilkeston 49 Derby 17
Squad present: Aneurin Lings, Ben Clements, Charlie Clarke, Chris Goodall, Connor Jowitt, Elliott Harvey, Ellis Thomas, Fraser Douglas, George Beardsley, Jack Marshall, Jack (“Ed”) Mason Barton, James Semken, Liam Soar, Luke Jeans, Michael Hayes, Sam Hines, Tom Smith, Warwick Waudby.

On Sunday against Derby we had our biggest squad turnout for any match this season – 18 in all, and gave debut time to both Tom Smith and Luke Jeans, who looked as if they enjoyed their run out, along with Connor Jowitt, who’s a veteran by comparison, he’s been with us a good few weeks longer than Tom and Luke!

Chris Goodall was made captain for the day and what an inspired choice that turned out to be as he started the Elks off with a flier of a try, running through the Derby defence like a knife through butter. Going with the slope Ilkeston were keeping Derby well pinned back, and our lads are beginning to play some good Rugby, driving well with all the forwards having a say in gaining good ground, continuously crossing the gain line. It wasn’t long before Warwick Waudby crashed over (what an inspired choice as hooker he is turning out to be for the under 11’s). Chris then struck again on another fine run to score his second try of the match, Ellis Thomas at scrum half was also distributing the ball well from the scrums, some of them being won against the head, starting our backs off on some good attacking sorties. Good driving by Elliott Harvey was also prevalent, backed up by all the forwards at one stage or another, this led to George Beardsley bursting through to score another try before the break – Jack Marshall converted all scores in this half, before handing this duty over to Charlie Clarke in the second half , Elks went into the interval 28-0 in the lead.
After such a rousing first half for the Elks, we had to take our hats off to Derby who’s heads never went down during the whole match, and they ran in two fine tries after good work by their backs, both tries being richly applauded by both sets of supporters. However Elks started to stir as they saw their lead slipping and good support play led to Aneurin Lings touching down after a very good rolling maul took them over the Derby goal line. Not to be outdone George then went on one of his trademark runs to touch down his second try of the day, Derby replied with yet another fine run by one of their backs very tight to the line, just about managing to keep in the field of play, before scoring a well deserved try. To finish the match off Charlie picked the ball up on the half way line and showed that he too can run and swerve like the best of them, evading tackle after tackle and scoring our final try of the morning – he duly converted this, along with all his kicks in the second half. At this stage I’d like to thank all of the squad especially the lads who came on as replacements, everybody had some game time during the morning, and everybody who was involved did their bit for this victory! Man of the match was awarded to Chris Goodall for his leadership, communication and overall fine play throughout the match.

Kevin Hines