STRONG PERFORMANCE BY ELKS AT BEDFORD

Classic drinks man of the match - Adam Corcoran.

This was by far the best away performance of the season from the Elks. It was also a remarkable result given the pre match confusion with two cars containing six players stuck in traffic and arriving barely five minutes before kick off. The game also had the feel of a special occasion as the two sides had never met before in any type of fixture, friendly, cup or league.

Due to the late arrivals the starting line up required a reshuffle and saw three debuts with Craig Wallace starting at tight head prop, Will Gray on the left wing and Alex Ayres in the centre. The lack of preparation was not obvious as the Elks started at a ferocious pace and registered their first score after only three minutes. Connolly fell short with a long range penalty but Bedford's Mann failed to find touch with his clearance. Lewis Taylor countered and linked with Haigh who fed new boy Wallace who ploughed forward. Dan Taylor took the ball on and a series of pick and drives from the ruck set up a maul close to the line. The forwards trundled on and skipper Corcoran touched down. Connolly converted to the Elks a 0-7 lead.

With the back row hitting the rucks with purpose and causing turnovers Bedford were starved of possession and always looked vulnerable. Lewis Taylor and Ayres showed they had the pace to cause problems and combined to crate a chance but the ball went to ground. The waves of attack could not be denied for long and when Hallam and Gray force a line out ten metres out the forwards made the most of the opportunity. Shoebridge secured the ball and the eight mauled over the line for Corcoran to claim his second try. Connolly's conversion stretched the lead to 0-14.

With the solid platform provided by Mc Quire, Moore and Wallace, the back row of Quinn, Corcoran and Carney were freed to roam and plunder at the breakdown. The outstanding Quinn forced Bedford to concede a penalty at the ruck on twenty minutes and Connolly converted to take the score to 0-17. Five minutes later Connolly was on the score sheet again with a try. Shoebridge soared to take a line out and Chenoweth drove the ball into midfield. Dan Taylor secured the ruck ball and Haigh fed Connolly who found a gap on the short side and darted into the corner, giving the Elks a 0-22 lead. Wallace was forced to retire after thirty two minutes with a rib injury having made a huge impression on his debut. If Bedford thought his departure would offer some respite in the front row they were mistaken as Tom Holland arrived to devastating effect. He destroyed the opposition scrum and earned a penalty which Connolly slotted over from forty metres to leave the score at 0-25 at half time.

The second half was only three minutes old when debutant Ayres departed with a broken finger and Gatehouse replaced him in the centre. Three minutes later the Elks used their final substitute when an eye injury forced Chenoweth out of the game. Quinn moved into the second row and Rudkin took up the blind side position. Bedford made the most of the breeze at their backs and enjoyed their best fifteen minutes of the game, forcing the Elks to keep their line intact. The Elks were equal to the task and showed they were determined that the home side would be denied. Moore, McQuire, Hallam and Connolly snuffed out threats before, very much against the run of play, Lewis Taylor escaped from his twenty two, chipped ahead and forced a line out in the corner. Quinn secured the ball and the forwards again mauled forward before Corcoran broke off and forced his way over to complete a hat trick and earn him the man of match award. Connolly added the extras once more to give the visitors a 0-32 lead.

As the game entered the last quarter the Elks extended their lead to 0-39. Connolly's long clearance kick was chased down by Dan Taylor and Gatehouse, who captured and robbed Markett. Lewis Taylor was on hand to break and he fed Rudkin who strolled over. Connolly again converted.
The heavens opened and the last fifteen minutes were played in monsoon conditions making handling extremely difficult. The Elks showed a greater ability to cope with the weather and continued to keep the ball in hand and exploit the open spaces. They could have added to their tally when Dan Taylor burst through only to drop the ball over the line and then Gray won the race to a Haigh chip only to see the ball slide away from him as he dived.

The Elks dominance was sealed in the dying minutes when Corcoran picked up from a scrum close to the line and fed Haigh who dummied and darted through a gap to score. Connolly converted to bring his tally to 21 points for the game.