Ilkeston vs Bugrooke Match Report

Elks lost 19-24 to Bugbrooke in a close, entertaining game, but more importantly showed signs of the team starting to gel together. Elks gave debuts to Ese Palmer and also saw the return of Joel Clay.

The Elks kicked off with the slope and made a good start taking play into the Bugbrooke 22, the previous weeks errors were still in evidence with far too many knock on`s, Bugbrooke nearly took advantage as they turned ball over and broke away taking play to the Elks 5 metre line, a great last ditch tackle from Ese Palmer prevented a certain score.

Bugbrooke kept up the pressure from an attacking scrum and moved the ball left, they broke through in midfield to score under the posts, extras added making it 0-7 after 8 mins.

Elks responded well taking play into the Bugbrooke 22, a good move down the left looked likely to lead to a score but yet again a knock on halted progress, the Elks were starting to look good in attack but knock on’s were becoming all too frequent breaking up any momentum.

Elks did get on the scoreboard with a Joel Haigh penalty after 24 mins when Bugbrooke were penalised for an off the ball obstruction, this also resulted in a yellow card, 3-7.

Elks were soon back on the attack following some strong running from Joel Clay and Dan Woods but again a knock on halted the move.

Bugbrooke cleared from the knock on but the kick was well returned by Palmer, Clay carried on the move into the Bugbrooke 22 and when the play broke down Bugbrooke were penalised for off side, Haigh slotted the kick to make it 6-7 at half time.

The second half began as the first with the Elks having decent possession, again a knock on turned ball over and from the ensuing scrum Bugbrooke attacked in midfield and moved the ball to the wing where they scored, extras missed making it 6-12 after 45 mins.
Elks came back again but individual errors were gifting possession back to Bugbrooke, Elks had a further chance for points when Bugbrooke were penalised at a breakdown, Haigh made no mistake and it was 9-12 after 50 mins.

The Elks continued in good form and from an attacking line out the forwards drove 15 metres, Chris Tipton broke off and made further ground, the ball was recycled and Woods crashed over, the conversion was well struck by Haigh to give the Elks the lead 16-12 after 56 mins.

Bugbrooke responded well and were soon in the Elks 22 with an attacking line out, they controlled the ball well and broke through to score under the posts, conversion added making it 16-19 after 68 mins.

Elks attacked from the kick off but were caught in possession and the ball held up, from the Bugbrooke scrum they found acres of space and moved the ball quickly to score again, extras missed making it 16-24 after 73 mins.

This seemed harsh on the Elks as they probably deserved something out the match for a much improved performance, they got the chance for a losing bonus point when Bugbrooke were penalised at a breakdown, Haigh struck the kick well making it 19-24 as the referee blew for full time.

Despite another loss this was a much improved performance and a win can surely not be far away, some great performances on the day with Joel Haigh and Ese Palmer showing up well, however this week’s Man of the Match goes to the returning Joel Clay who showed great hunger for the ball in attack and put in some big hits in defence.

Next week sees a trip to newly promoted Dronfield who are also battling for their first win so it looks like a tough battle ahead.

Come on you Elks!