The Elks took on the Stags and won 0-17.

Mansfield 0-17 Ilkeston

This top of the table clash between second place Ilkeston and forth placed Mansfield lived up to expectation. It was a skilful and sometimes brutal clash with no quarter asked or given.

The two sides were equally matched in all areas and the margin of victory owed much to the Elks ability to defend and their poacher’s instinct to turn the slimmest of half chances into points.

The statistics show that Mansfield enjoyed the larger share of possession and territorial advantage. They created more chances but were punished by their inability to finish.

On a bitterly cold day on a pitch that had barely been thawed, Mansfield enjoyed all the early pressure as the game was played at a frantic pace. Forcing the pace and trying to keep the ball alive in contact led to handling errors from both sides before they found a rhythm.

The Elks scrum, with front row McGuire, Moore, and Holland outstanding, were called upon to provide a platform at regular intervals during the first 20 minutes as Mansfield laid siege to the Elks line. When the Elks did escape their 22 the kicking game of Shaw and veteran Robinson pinned them back again.

The fact that the scoreboard was not employed owed volumes to the organisation of the Elks defence where the influence of coach Craig Hammond is becoming more evident by the week. The half backs Haigh and Connolly allowed their opposite numbers no space and the midfield of Dan Taylor and Gatehouse were solid as a brick wall. When assistance was required back rowers Quinn, Carney, and skipper Cocoran were constantly on hand to compete at the breakdown. The presence and bulk of Chenoweth and Stoker denied Mansfield quick ruck ball and stopped rolling mauls at source. The back three of the Taylor brothers Lewis and Greg, and Hallam, worked tirelessly to support each other and create opportunities to counter attack.

Playing from deep the Elks struggled to impose themselves until Dan Taylor and Gatehouse combined to break through midfield and take play close to Mansfield’s 22. Mansfield were awarded the put in to a scrum but Haigh harassed Calladine, the ball was spilled and Corcoran scooped it up and drove into the 22 to earn the Elks a scrum and the put in. From the scrum Corcoran picked, fed Haigh and he drew the winger to put Hallam over in the corner. Connolly pushed the conversion wide but the Elks were 5 points up after 30 minutes.

Mansfield’s response was immediate and scrum half Shaw should have claimed a try when he sped clear from a ruck. As the cover converged he opted to pass inside and the ball was spilt.

The Elks increased their lead with a second opportunist try. Corcoran turned the ball over inside his own half and fed a pas to Dan Taylor who combined with Carney to put Greg Taylor on the charge to set up a ruck close to the Mansfield line. With the defensive field full Connolly Kicked the ball high up between the posts, Coleman fumbled and Gatehouse dived on the loose ball. Connolly hit the post with his conversion and the Elks went in at half time 0-10 up.

As the second half started Bennett replaced Chenoweth and Wallace replaced Holland. Mansfield should have reduced the arrears when the Elks were caught offside at the ruck but Shaw pulled a simple chance wide.

As the home side continued to push forward the Elks were called upon to use all their defensive resource. The force of contact took its toll and Lewis Taylor was replaced by Rudkin following a leg injury.

As the game swung from end to end Connolly and Haigh made good use of the slope and forced Mansfield to play high risk rugby from deep. One such counter attack gave Mansfield an overlap but Hallam read the pass, plucked the ball out of the air and had the legs to race from half way. Connolly converted and gave the Elks a 0-17 lead with 15 minutes remaining.

Protecting the lead became the order of the day when Dan Taylor was binned
With 10 minutes left and the Elks were reduced to 14 men. Mansfield put ever last ounce of energy into rescuing something from the game but they simply could not find a crack in the visitors defence.

It is a number of years since the Elks won at Mansfield and even more since they recorded the double over them. While the result does not put Mansfield out of contention for a playoff spot, they are too good a side for that, it does keep the Elks in second place and their ambitions very much alive.

Classic Drinks Man of the Match – Steven Quinn