It was hot, dry, hard and tough but a 17-29 win with a bonus point was won.

Kettering 17-29 Ilkeston

This was only the fifth time the 2 sides have met at Waverley Road and the first time that the Elks have come away with a result. The win takes them to third in the table four points clear of third placed Derby, who suffered defeat at the hands of Syston, and 2 points behind second placed Mansfield. With one game left the battle for the play off spot is still alive and could still be claimed by any of the 3 sides.

A well organised defence and the ability to turn half chances into points was the difference between the sides and Kettering must be wondering how they could have spent 20 minutes inside the visitors 22 at the start of the second half without claiming a score.

From the kick off it was clear that both sides were determined to use the dry and firm conditions to play a flowing game. After 7 minutes Connolly’s up and under put pressure on Daniels and his rushed clearance kick was fielded by Haigh. Wallace was on hand to carry the ball forward. His change of pace and ability to step around defenders are not normally associated with a prop but he is fast making a reputation as one of the most mobile forwards in the side. His run into the 22 set up a ruck and when the ball was released Dan Taylor took full advantage of a retreating defence to dash through and score close to the posts. Connolly’s conversion gave the Elks a 0-7 lead.

From the restart Wallace was again the ball carrier following good interplay between Hallam, Bennett, and Carney. He set up a ruck, Haigh moved the ball swiftly and Connolly dropped a goal to make it 0-10 with 11 minutes gone.

Recovering from the early blitz Kettering fought back to earn a penalty 40 meters out and Daniels duly obliged to reduce the arrears to 3-10. If the Elks thought they had control of the game Kettering had other ideas and only a try saving tackle from Greg Taylor prevented Newman scoring. The home sides pressure continued and first Moore then Corcoran were called upon to make vital interventions.

On 29 minutes Kettering perseverance looked to have been rewarded but Daniels pulled a simple penalty wide. Having weathered the storm Lewis Taylor took play deep inside the Kettering half and earned a line out. Quinn fed the ball from the top, intricate patterns from Dan Taylor and Gatehouse found Greg Taylor on a perfect line to create a 2 on 1. He tuned his pass to perfection and put Hallam clear to touch down. Connolly converted to stretch the lead to 3-17.

From the restart a rare mistake allowed Smitt to Dart around the fringe of a ruck and put in a long kick. The ball took a horrible bounce away from the defenders into the hands of Rainbow who dived over. Daniels added the extras and Kettering were very much back into the game at 10-17.

With the half closing Kettering struck again. Byrne’s long kick set up a line out close to the Elks line. Noble took the throw and his forwards drove him over. Daniels converted to leave it 17-17 at half time.

Having clawed their way back into the game Kettering started the second half playing with confidence and pinned the Elks inside their own 22 for fully 20 minutes. Solid and often desperate defence kept the home side at bay with Chenoweth, Pringle, who had replaced the injured Holland at half time and Greg Taylor all making try saving tackles. Moore’s strike against the head offered some respite but only took play to a line out from which Kettering mounted yet another attack.

Despite the loss of Holland the scrum continued to offer a solid platform and resisted a number of 5 meter put ins to the home side. Pringle denied his years and remained solid as a rock on the loose head as the pack were tested to the full.

Ayres replaced Hallam 25 minutes into the half and was immediately into the action when he created space on the short side, close to his own line, and broke up field. Carney was on hand to earn a penalty close to the Kettering line. Rather than regain the lead with a simple penalty Haigh chose to tap and feed the ball wide where swift hands from Gatehouse, Dan Taylor and Quinn put Lewis Taylor into the corner and regain the lead at 17-22 with 10 minutes remaining.

With time running out both sides threw caution to the wind, Kettering chasing a score to level the game and the Elks seeking a fourth try and bonus point. The Elks benefited most from the tactics and not for the first time this season showed a poachers instinct to take advantage of opposition errors.

From a promising attacking position Kettering moved the ball from a scrum but a thundering Dan Taylor tackle in midfield caused Rainbow to spill the ball. Lewis Taylor scooped up the ball and sprinted away. He drew the last defender to feed Gatehouse who dived over. Connolly converted to make the final score 17-29, a win and a bonus point.

Classic Drinks Man of the Match – Greg Taylor.