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Sat 30 Aug 2008
First XVDerby
28
17
FINAL PRE-SEASON GAME
Web Master1 Sep 2008 - 20:48
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ELKS COME OUT ON TOP v DERBY
For their final pre-season game the Elks had decided to take on the perennial rivals from the league above and on Staurday took on Derby at the Stute. Both sides paraded some new talent, mostly as a result of players leaving or, in Derby's case being on loan from Nottingham. Both sides were missing several players from their nominal first team line up and the Elks had several promising youngsters in the starting XV and also on the bench.
Playing down the slope Derby took the initial advantage and it looked as thought the Elks might be up against stiff opposition who would give them a torrid time. However, grit, determination and a will not to be turned over kept the Elks in the game and they finally moved up a gear in the second half to catch up and accelerate past the visitors to finish 28 - 17 winners.
The performance of the youngsters was most encouraging but the poise showed by the Elks two new signings from Nottingham proved the difference between the sides. Fly half Neil Stenhouse penned the visitors back with some booming clearances to relieve the pressure on the home side and when he was not available inside centre JJ Connolly took on the role with aplomb. Lee Chapman proved a worthy scrum half in the absence of the injured Andrew Chapman and Josh Newton again showed promise on the wing. Second rows Adam Stoker and Russ Garland again showed they are the powerhouse in the side whilst the front row of Craig Charlton, Marc Moore and Dean Chapman provided a steady base against the heavier Derby unit. The starting back row of Ben Newton, Brynn Locke and Paul Shoebridge hounded the Derby side throughout but the addition of Steve Quinn at No 8 in the second half proved a bonus with his driving bursts from the base of the scrum.
Dan Taylor proved a constant threat all afternoon and was rewarded with two tries with the third being provided by 'The Camel' Adam Stoker. The balance of the points were provided by the boot of Neil Stenhouse with a tally of thirteen points from two conversions and three penalties.
Overall a promising end to the pre-season games but coach Lee Jones was already identifying areas for improvement in the post game chat with the players.
Playing down the slope Derby took the initial advantage and it looked as thought the Elks might be up against stiff opposition who would give them a torrid time. However, grit, determination and a will not to be turned over kept the Elks in the game and they finally moved up a gear in the second half to catch up and accelerate past the visitors to finish 28 - 17 winners.
The performance of the youngsters was most encouraging but the poise showed by the Elks two new signings from Nottingham proved the difference between the sides. Fly half Neil Stenhouse penned the visitors back with some booming clearances to relieve the pressure on the home side and when he was not available inside centre JJ Connolly took on the role with aplomb. Lee Chapman proved a worthy scrum half in the absence of the injured Andrew Chapman and Josh Newton again showed promise on the wing. Second rows Adam Stoker and Russ Garland again showed they are the powerhouse in the side whilst the front row of Craig Charlton, Marc Moore and Dean Chapman provided a steady base against the heavier Derby unit. The starting back row of Ben Newton, Brynn Locke and Paul Shoebridge hounded the Derby side throughout but the addition of Steve Quinn at No 8 in the second half proved a bonus with his driving bursts from the base of the scrum.
Dan Taylor proved a constant threat all afternoon and was rewarded with two tries with the third being provided by 'The Camel' Adam Stoker. The balance of the points were provided by the boot of Neil Stenhouse with a tally of thirteen points from two conversions and three penalties.
Overall a promising end to the pre-season games but coach Lee Jones was already identifying areas for improvement in the post game chat with the players.
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