Ilkeston U14's hosted an NLD match against Mansfield and needed to get their season back on track after a below par performance against a good West Bridgford side the previous week.

After the Gallows pitch was eventually passed fit to play, Ilkeston got off to the ideal start with No 8 Rob Boddington picking up on a home scrum to commit the Mansfield wing and passing to Tom Caines who cantered home to score the first try.

The young Elks continued the pressure from the restart as Mansfield failed to make the 10 metres and set up a series of moves through the backs, eventually passing the ball to Gregor Mcintosh who crossed the line but was deemed not to have grounded the ball. Ilkeston won the scrum against the head and Zack Lebeter powered over from 5metres for his first try of the season.

The home forwards were getting the better of the rucks and Gregor Mcintosh was making the most of the wide Gallows pitch eventually crossing the line twice to touch down, with Joseph Doughty converting the first try.

A first half dominated by the home side was rounded off by the ever present Tom Caines breaking through and passing to Niall O'Connor to run the easiest try he will ever score.

27-0 at half time.

The pattern of play continued in the second half as the forwards making good ground with the second rows Aidan Norris and James committing the Mansfield tacklers and the half backs of Middleton and Doughty distributing the ball to Thomson and Lebeter who, along with full back Hemingray,were making the most of the space created. Mcintosh went over for his third try and Cameron Greenfield got on the score sheet (converted by Doughty).

It was not all one way as Mansfield created some momentum and the ball carrier caught the Elks half asleep to run in a well taken try which was converted.

This seemed to wake the home side. Joseph Doughty kicked a long penalty clearance from the Ilkeston 22 which was gathered by O'Connor on the half way line. He backed his speed to run in a well taken try, converted by Doughty.

Tom Hayday and Connor Corrigan were in the pitch as substitutes. The pressure continued on the visitors despite a number of penalty offences by Ilkeston. Tom Caines continued his man of the match performance running strongly from the restart and crossing the line. after pressure created by another storming Caines run, the forwards recycled the ball and the defenders fell for Isaac Smiths trademark dummy 5 metres out enabling him to run in a try. Tom Caines rounded off a superb individual performance with a third try running through a tired Mansfield team from the restart.

Final Score 61-7. Ilkeston took full advantage of their dominance in the ruck and maul, as well as tackling well to snuff out all bar one of then visitors attacks. Their passing was not always accurate but the coaches were very satisfied with overall performance.