Corcoran again a thorn in Bedford Athletics side.

Ilkeston 22-3 Bedford Athletic

Last October the Elks travelled to Bedford Athletic for their first ever meeting and were greeted by gales, lashing rain, and a hail storm as they inflicted the home sides heaviest defeat of the season, aided by a hat trick of tries by skipper Corcoran. Bedford arrived for the return fixture at the Stute bringing with them gales and lashing rain.

Since that heavy October defeat Athletic have recovered and sit mid table, whereas the Elks have recorded 11 straight wins to move to second behind leaders Syston.

After just 3 minutes Corcoran carried on where he had left off against Athletic, scoring a try after a rolling maul following a line out on the 22. The wind defeated Connolly’s conversion and left the score 5-0. Athletic then withstood early Elks pressure and dominated possession and territory for the next 20 minutes and debutant Alston accepted one of the two penalties to reduce the deficit to 5-3. The Elks then, against the run of play, nicked a loose ball on the centre line by Haigh who the fed Greg Taylor whose quick pass to Hallam belying his years by sprinting to the corner for his eighth try of the season. Connolly pulled his conversion and the score went up to 10-3.

With a minute of the half remaining Chenoweth was shown the yellow card for entering the ruck from the side, a one too much infringement from a series of Elks penalties. The Elks defence held firm and the whistle for halftime left the score at 10-3.

The second half began with 14 men Elks playing a possession game and it paid off on 50 minutes with Corcoran again finishing off a rolling maul. Connolly judged the wind perfectly with his conversion attempt and increased the lead to 17-3.

Chenoweth rejoined the action and Athletic, with 3 debutants in their side, never gave up the chase but were undone for the final time on 66 minutes when Corcoran scored his hat trick and 20th try of the season. Connolly’s conversion drifted wide and the score to 22-3.

Chenoweth was replaced by Russ Garland, making his first appearance for nearly 2 years following a knee injury and operation, but his appearance was a short one as prop Wallace was binned for hands in the ruck and Garland withdrawn for Ben Wells in the front row.

There was no further addition to the scoreboard as the referee blew the final whistle, much to the relief of both sets of players who had again endured dreadful conditions.

Notable performances from the front row, hat trick hero Corcoran, and a welcome return for former captain Ritchie Burn, but the Man of the Match was unanimously awarded to Joel Haigh, making light of the heavy conditions. Haigh’s decision making and speed of hand improves with every game.
Coach Craig Hammond said ‘Again defensively we were strong and played to our strengths ….. But we must stop putting ourselves under pressure with needless yellow cards. Overall another leasing performance and all round team effort.

Statistics bear the out the coaches words as this was the Elks 12th consecutive win and 4th consecutive game without conceding a try.

Next Saturday the Elks travel to Paviors for their first encounter of the season as the previous fixture was postponed due to the bad weather.

Classic Drinks Man of the Match – Joel Haigh.