The Elks win again on the road at Dunstablians

Dunstablians 13-35 Ilkeston

The Elks started the New Year very much as they ended the old with a victory on the road. The win keeps the Elks promotion hopes on track and takes their run to nine games since they tasted defeat.

There was evidence of the long layoff in the early exchanges as both sides looked rusty and struggled to get a rhythm into their game. Dropped passes, missed tackles and poor kicks dominated the first 10 minutes until a Leech penalty gave Dunstablians a 3-0 lead and stung the Elks into action as they realised they had a game on their hands.

Their response was immediate when Hallam skinned his man on the outside to touch down after Corcoran, Mahoney, and Haigh had combined to create gaps in the home sides defence. Connolly converted to make it 3-7 after 12 minutes.

As the cobwebs were blown away the visitors started to put phases together with the Taylor brothers Dan and Greg causing allsorts of problems to Dunstablians midfield defence. Connolly likewise kept the home side guessing as he varied the game with a variety of inch perfect passes, kicking from hand and deft breaks. One such break and long pass almost created a try for Mahoney but a tap tackle rescued the situation for the home side.

With the pack producing quality ball and the Elks dominating territorially they could not be denied for long and so it proved when Haigh extended the lead to 3-14 with a try converted by Connolly. Stoker secured the lineout inside Dunstablians 22. The forwards rumbled forward and as the opposition were sucked in, Haigh nipped through a gap close to the maul.

As the game approached half time Haigh claimed his second try in a similar fashion. A Gatehouse break took play into Dunstablians half. He found support from Quinn and Chenoweth who fed Dan Taylor and his chip through force Dunstablians to concede a line out on the 22. Shoebridge took the ball and set up a maul. The driving maul has become a feature of the Elks game this season and it was perfectly executed again as they drove towards the line. With a meter to go Haigh took possession, dummied and strolled through to score. His try was again converted by Connolly leaving it 3-21 at half time. Having made an immense contribution Chenoweth retired at half time and was replaced by Bennett who went into the back row with Shoebridge moving to the second row. The forwards continued to give quality ball with props McGuire and Holland delivering in the scrum and making their presence felt around the field. Hooker Moore found his jumpers Quinn, Shoebridge, and Stoker was always on hand to carry the ball forward.

10 minutes into the half the Elks struck again. Following a forward charge by Corcoran and a series of quick rucks Greg Taylor picked the perfect line and stormed through under the posts. Connolly duly added the extras.

A leg injury forced Mahoney out of the game 15 minutes in to be replaced by Patel making his first appearance for over a year following a broken leg.

McGuire also retired and was replaced by Wells. As the half wore on Dunstablians resistance did not falter but the superior pace and power of the visitors could not be denied. From a scrum on the 22 Corcoran picked up and fed Haigh. Patel entered the line and moved the ball to Dan Taylor who put Hallam in to the corner for his second try. Connolly’s conversion made it 3-35 with 5 minutes left on the clock.

With the game won the Elks took their foot off the pedal and allowed the home side to score 2 late tries through White and Oliver leaving it 13-35 at the final whistle.

Classic Drinks Man of the Match – Steven Quinn.