Ilkeston put Newark to the sword.

On a murky, miserable supposed first weekend of spring the Elks were back on home soil and entertaining league strugglers Newark. Looking for a win and maximum points after a dip in form in the previous two games, the home team were fielding a strong side with only regulars Adam Stoker and Dan Taylor unavailable.

After a fairly indifferent start which saw several errors from the home side, they suddenly surged into action, a line out taken by Simon Bennett saw the ball mauled forward and released a powerful drive just short of the line. The ball then recycled by Haigh who found Steve Quinn on his shoulder who crashed over, leaving JJ Connolly to convert making it 7-0 after 20 minutes.

From the restart Newark applied pressure and pinned the Elks into the corner but they were denied from taking anything from the move by a solid Elks defence and with a penalty earned by Graham Chenoweth, JJ Connoly was able to take play back up field.

Newark regained possession from their line out and passed the ball to Jon Webster, from a turn over a penalty was given to Ilkeston for Newark handling on the floor which took the line out up to the half way line.

As Newark were offside at the breakdown a penalty was given to the Elks, which moved play on to an Elks line out on Newark’s 10 metre line, with Ilkeston in possession the ball was passed across the backs in a move involving JJ Connolly and Ben Gatehouse who found Greg Taylor and set him free to go over under the posts, converted by JJ Connolly on the half hour, 14-0.

Good handling of the ball saw it passed back by the Elks in the ruck with Greg Taylor and Jono Falls moving up field. A penalty was indicated but the ball was knocked on by the Elks under the posts presenting Newark with a 5 metre scrum.

The second half began with the Elks setting the pace and dominating play with a length of the park try. The move began with a turn over ball inside his own half by Simon Bennett, quick hands from Greg Taylor saw him break through the centre and with Beau Carney on his shoulder he was set free to make an excellent run down the field. A good kick from JJ Connolly elevated the score to 21-0 after 5 minutes of the second 40.

Shortly afterwards the home side were forced into a double substitution, prop Ben Wells was replaced by Tom Holland and winger Alex Ayers made way for Pete Smith, both were due to injuries.Pete Smith wasted no time in stamping his mark on the game and with the ball passed along the backs and to him e was able to make his debut try in the corner for Ilkeston, earning a bonus point for the fourth try of the game in the process. The conversion kick was taken from wide out, 28-0.

The home side were then looking to up the pace of the game further still and a quick line out taken by Lewis Taylor found Beau Carney in midfield, this set Craig Wallace, the most mobile of props, on a charge to take play inside the Newark 22.

Joel Haigh made a break from a Graham Chenoweth line out and found Steve Quinn in midfield who set up a ruck close to the post. A quick ball gave Lewis Taylor a bit of space which he took full advantage of to squeeze into the corner, JJ Connolly’s conversion took the score to 35-0.

From the restart Jono Falls broke out of his own 22 and linked with Pete Smith and Greg Taylor to take play back inside Newark’s 22.
A period of sustained Newark pressure followed but a well organised Elks defence denied the visitors the space or time they needed and kept their line intact.

A flowing passage of play was soon on display from Ilkeston with Connolly, Pete Smith, Steve Quinn and Beau Carney linking up and setting up a good attacking position.

Ilkeston’s final substitution followed with Paul Shoebridge taking the place of Steve Quinn who had picked up a knock to his ankle.
From a scrum on Newark’s 22, Lewis Taylor came off his wing and found space in midfield and put Pete Smith away, with the ball recycled from the ruck, Joel Haigh’s pop pass to Greg Taylor saw him crash between two defenders and score close to the posts. JJ Connolly maintained his 100% kicking record to take the score line to 42-0 with five minutes remaining.

From a scrum close to the line Joel Haigh broke blind and fed Pete Smith who darted into the corner for his second try. JJ Connolly uncharacteristically fell short putting the full time score at 47-0.
An impressive and clinical victory put the Elks campaign back on track.

Classic Drinks Man of the Match - Greg Taylor

Match report by Rochelle ODwyer