Ilkeston vs Old Northamptonians Match Report

Elks hosted Old Northamptonians who will surely be in the top two come the end of the season, and despite leading at half time were undone by a dominant ON`s second half display, eventually losing 15-36.

Elks began the half with the slope and started brightly, good play by Simon Bennett and Chris Tipton took play into the ONs 22, the ball was turned over and a great counter attack by ONs saw them score under the posts after 10 mins, extras added making it 0-7.

Elks came back well and were soon in ONs 22, a penalty was awarded to the Elks and Jack Crabtree stuck the ball cleanly to score after 15 mins, 3-7.

This time ONs responded well and had a penalty of their own in the Elks 22, they tapped and went quick and broke through in midfield to score after 16 mins, conversion missed making it 3-12.

Again the Elks came back well and were soon in a promising attacking position, ONs were off side and Crabtree’s kick fell just short after 23 mins, Elks continued with the pressure and following another ONs penalty their hooker was yellow carded on 31 mins, Elks soon took advantage of the extra man as following a series of drives from the forwards the ONs defence was stretched and Joe Marsden darted through a gap to score after 33 mins, Crabtree added the extras and the Elks back in the game at 10-12.

Elks were still having good spells of possession and territory but breakdown penalties were beginning to mount up and cost ground as ONs cleared.

The Elks had another good spell of possession and following a turnover by Sam Humphries a counter attack was launched by Tom Pottinger, Marsden carried the move on and fed Crabtree who timed his cross field kick perfectly for Luke Bayliss to gather and dive over for the score, extras missed but the Elks had the lead at 15-12 as half time was blown.

Ant chance of consolidating the lead was soon gone as ONs attacked from a line out and moved the ball left to score in the corner, a fine conversion was added making it 15-19 after 42 mins.

Elks were battling well uphill but basic passing and handling errors were costing dearly as possession was turned over, ONs had a chance to extend their lead but a penalty kick was pushed left after 55 mins.

ONs were starting to dominate possession and were soon camped in the Elks 22, from a line out they had a series of forward drive before the defence was breached and they score out wide after 64 mins, extras missed making it 15-24.

ONs came back strong and a chip ahead looked likely to provide another score until Aaron Garvey made a great clearance near the line, unfortunately this was a brief respite as from the 5 metre scrum the ONs pack drove strongly and forced their way over after 68 mins, extras missed making it 15-29.

The Elks pack were starting to tire after a great first half effort and from another ONs scrum they drove towards the line, as the scrum broke up the ref ran under the posts to give a penalty try, this was duly converted to make the final score 15-36.

Despite the loss the Elks can be pleased with a much improved performance from last week as the ONs will surely go close to gaining promotion this season.

A sterling effort from the forwards in the first half and in particular Chris Tipton who gets this week’s Man of the Match, next week sees a local derby away at Paviors, these games are normally close and hard fought so get along the cheer on the Elks as they search for that first victory.