ELKS ON TOP IN TOUGH ENCOUNTER

Classic Drinks Man of the Match - Adam Corcoran

The Elks claimed the spoils in this tense but entertaining affair at the Stute on Saturday. Games between these two sides have a tradition of being physical and close and this encounter lived up to type with bone crunching tackles the order of the day from two determined defences.

The foundation for the victory was firmly laid by the Elks pack where Tom Holland, making his first appearance of the season, made the most of his opportunity with solid scrimmaging and the ability to make himself available as a ball carrier when required. His front row partners McGuire and Moore were full of energy, ball winning pressure at the ruck and maul and constantly on hand to rescue defensive lapses.

With possession at a premium the contribution of Quinn and Shoebridge in the line out ensured that the home side had a regular supply of ball to deliver to the backs where Connolly varied his options between kicking for territory and releasing his midfield and outside backs. With the game starting with light rain handling errors were inevitable and the back row of Rudkin, Quinn, and Corcoran enjoyed a battle royal with their opposite numbers to establish an advantage at the breakdown.

The Elks started at a frantic pace and looked as though they would blow their visitors away as they mounted wave after wave of attacks in the opening minutes. Their efforts were rewarded after 11 minutes with a try by Quinn converted by Connolly. Good support play by Moore, Chenoweth, and Holland earned a scrum close to Mansfield’s line. The ball was secured and moved wide where Dan Taylor almost made the line. Recycle ball by Hallam fed his forwards who mauled it over for Quinn to touch down.

Any thoughts that this was going to be an easy victory were quickly dispelled as Mansfield hit back and dominated territory for the next 20 minutes. Resolute and often desperate defence kept them at bay with telling contributions fro Corcoran, Gatehouse, Lewis and Greg Taylor. On 30 minutes pressure duly paid dividends when Shaw slotted a long range penalty to bring the score to 7-3. Within 2 minutes Mansfield had the lead when Shaw shot through a gap on half way and fed Willis who raced in between the posts. The conversion took the score to 7-10

As the first half went into injury time a promising Mansfield attack was broken up by a Gatehouse tackle and Rudkin was the first to react. He scooped up and beat the cover into the corner for an unconverted try.

With the breeze and the slope in their favour and a slim 12-10 lead the Elks supporters were confident of a comfortable victory but Mansfield were made of sterner stuff and limited the home side to solitary penalty during the half and that coming only 2 minutes in. A Taylor made move between brothers Dan and Greg from a pass by Rudkin ended in a penalty for a transgression at the breakdown. Connolly stepped up to convert and take the score to 15-10.

Although there was no further score the remainder of the game did not lack incident or entertainment. Mansfield created chances through Coleman and the evergreen Robinson, who played his normal solid game at fullback, but the Elks were equal to the task.

The home side could increased their lead when replacement Carney for Chenoweth, turned the ball over in midfield and fed Connolly whose chip behind bounced inches away from Cook with the line begging.

As full time beckoned Mansfield applied pressure using their forwards to drive the ball close before releasing their backs. The Elks kept their discipline and their shape denying the attackers time and space and forcing turnovers in the tackle. When the ball was secured the boots of Haigh and Connolly ensured that Mansfield had to relaunch from deep. The Elks emerged for a well earned 15-10 victory.