Elks march on to NLD semi finals

Both teams started slowly and play was concentrated around half way, Derby created the first real chance with a move to the right but the ball was knocked on.

Soon after, the Elks were penalised for side entry and Derby attacked again but this was well defended and cleared by Jono Falls. Derby kicked the ball back which was well caught by Ryan Mills who went on a strong run into the Derby 22, the ball was re-cycled and spun right to Jack Townsend who was forced into touch. The Elks were penalised at the line out allowing Derby to clear.

Another penalty against the Elks gave Derby a promising attacking position in the 22 where they created space on the blind with a cleverly worked line out and only a spilt pass prevented a likely score. The Elks cleared from the scrum but Derby came back on the attack, but were forced back after a great tackle by Greg Taylor.
The Elks seemed to be struggling to find the skill levels of previous weeks and this was compounded on 29 minutes when, after good work by Jake Lamb and Mills, play was halted and Mills shown a yellow card for an illegal challenge.

This finally spurred the Elks into action as Lamb and Hugh Smith worked together well to carry play into the Derby half. Derby were penalised and the Elks kicked for touch where the line out was well caught by Matt Watkins and quick hands put G Taylor through but he was halted by a great tackle from Derby.

The Elks continued to re-cycle and attack when after some good forward play Matt McGuire was eventually driven over to score on 36 minutes. This was superbly converted by Joel Haigh to make it 7-0.
The kick off was well caught by Stephen Fowkes but knocked on at the breakdown. Play was held up for a shoulder injury to Watkins; he did not respond to treatment and was replaced by Dan Rollins on 38 minutes.
Lamb then made a good break to carry play into the Derby 22, but after being recycled the ball was knocked on and Mills returned to replace Meakin.

The Elks scrummaged strongly and put Derby on the back foot. The loose ball was pounced on by Haigh and fed to Lamb who put Falls in on the stroke of half time which was unconverted to make it 12-0.
Derby returned after a lengthy break in the changing room and immediately went on the attack. Good handling on the right put the winger in and he sprinted clear to score on 42 minutes - conversion missed to make it 12-5.

Derby came on the attack again and an injury to Haigh brought on Joel Clay for his debut. Pottinger also came back on for Townsend; Simon Hallam also entered the fray on the front row.

Elks were on the attack again through Ayres but the ball was knocked on and Derby were penalised at the scrum for not binding. The kick for goal was turned down for a line out and Haigh came back on for Clay.
The line out was well caught and driven over but judged to have been held up. The ensuing scrum was driven forward and Haigh took the ball and sped over on 42 minutes - conversion missed to make it 17-5.

The Elks caught the kick off and returned play well through G Taylor and Smith. Derby discipline became an issue and the ref penalised them for back chat. The kick went to touch and the line out was well caught by Fowkes and moved right; Pottinger made a break but was forced into touch.

Play was held up for a further injury to Haigh but after treatment he was fit to carry on and was soon involved as he launched a counter attack from a poor Derby kick. The Elks were penalised but the decision was reversed following ill discipline from Derby. This was in front of the posts and Haigh kicked an easy 3 points on 65 minutes to extend the lead to 20-5.

The kick off was well caught by Fowkes who launched another attack and good work followed from Haigh and Ben Wells, but the ball was knocked on in midfield.

Derby struggled to clear and play swayed to and fro with both sides trying hard but silly mistakes holding up play.

Elks finished on a high when following good scrummage work, quick hands worked the ball right and a sumptuous side step from Wells brought the crowd to its feet as he quickly fed G Taylor to finish off the move on 78 minutes which was unconverted to leave the final score 25-5.

Man of the Match went to Greg Taylor for some strong defence and great attacking when given the space. this was another solid performance from the squad and it was nice to see Joel Clay making his debut for the 1st team.

Dan Rollins, Tom Pottinger, Simon Hallam, Jack Townsend & Hugh Smith all made valuable contributions and the squad now looks to have some genuine depth to it.

Link to Derby Telegraph article.

Link to Ilkeston Advertiser report.

Link to Derby Telegraph report.

Link to Nottingham Post report.

Next game Kettering Home 2.15 KO