Elks earn great away win

Debuts were given to Richard Synnott, Max Hodson and Sean Gordon as unavailability led to many changes from last weeks team

Bugbrooke were first to make good ground and following a break down the middle they recycled and moved the ball left to score, extras added to make it 7-0 after 5mins

Elks made a great response and after winning a ball against the head Alex Ayres burst through the middle, he was hauled down but the ball was recycled and Tom Pottinger was on hand to score, extras missed making it 7-5 after 10 mins

Elks were soon back on the attack from a line out but the ball was knocked on during a promising attack

Bugbrooke cleared but Elks went back on the attack, a kick to the right corner bounced well for the Elks and Pottinger was on hand again to score his second try, Andor Benji converted well from out wide to give Elks the lead at 7-12 after 19 mins

It was Bugbrookes turn to respond well and they attacked through the forwards, they recycled well and scored after 25 mins, extras missed making it 12-12

Bugbrooke finished the half well with their forwards putting huge pressure on the Elks scrum, after a third penalty against the Elks the referee awarded a penalty try, the easy conversion was added making it 19-12 at half time

From the kick off Chris Tipton caught well and Elks attacked, a scuffle broke out on the floor and the referee produced a yellow card for a Bugbrooke prop following a punch

Elks took full advantage of the extra man and launched several attacks, play was moved right and then left and Richard Synnott finished off a great move to score in the corner, extras missed making it 19-17 after 48 mins

Bugbrooke responded with an attack down the left, Elks defended well and Sean Gordon turned over a Bugbrooke attack allowing Elks to clear

Elks were back on the attack with Tipton, Bugbrooke stopped the drive but had hands in the ruck and Benji scored with the shot at goal after 58 mins making it 19-20

The game was played as the score suggested with defences strong and neither side being able to dominate

Jason Falls came off injured after a strong display, Elks were penalised at the next scrum and Bugbrooke opted for the shot at goal, the kick was pushed wide after 70 mins

Bugbrooke were starting to dominate in the scrum and Elks conceded another penalty, this time Bugbrooke made no mistake and regained the lead after 74 mins 22-20

Elks showed great fighting spirit and attacked through Tipton, Humphreys and Hutchinson, Elks drove forward with a maul and Bugbrooke were judged to have dragged the maul down and penalised, backchat to the referee cost them another 10 metres and made the kick much easier for Benji, he slotted the kick to put Elks back in front 22-23 after 76 mins

The final minutes seemed longer as Bugbrooke threw everything at the Elks although their defence stood firm and they closed out the game

Considering the amount of changes this was a fantastic victory and the whole squad can be proud of their efforts, some great performances on the day and difficult to chose a Man of the Match, it was Richard Synnott who got the nod as apart from scoring he kept the Bugbrooke speedy winger quiet for most of the game

It was also great to see 4 of last years Colts playing first team rugby and they did not look out of place, this bodes well for the future

No first team game next week but the following week sees a tasty local derby against Derby RFC at home, come along and support the Elks