Elks defeated at Huntingdon

The Elks eventually went down 31-3 at Huntingdon.

Following heavy rain the game was switched to the second team pitch although conditions made it difficult to play running rugby and both sides made several early errors.

Elks had the first chance at points but Jono Falls penalty kick hit the post and bounced clear, Huntingdon were conceding penalties at the breakdown and giving the Elks chance to kick deep for territory, despite winning line out ball the hands were letting the Elks down with several knock on’s disrupting play.

Falls had a further chance for points following another breakdown penalty against Huntingdon but the kick fell short and Huntingdon cleared.

Following a slow start Huntingdon came more into the game and had a good spell of possession in the Elks 22, continued pressure forced Elks to concede a penalty and Huntingdon’s reliable kicker slotted the kick to make it 3-0 after 28 mins.

Elks responded well and had probably their best chance of the match when Tom Pottinger went on a mazy run beating 4 defenders before being halted short of the line, Elks recycled but knocked on soon after and the chance was gone.

Elks scrum was working hard and forced 2 successive penalties against Huntingdon, the second was well within the range of Falls and he duly slotted the kick to level things up at 3-3 after 36 mins.

Huntingdon finished the half well and following a penalty at a breakdown they restored their lead with an easy kick making it 6-3 after 39 mins, they had one further attack before half time but a forward pass stopped the move and brought half time at 6-3.

Huntingdon made most of the early running in the second half and had Elks under pressure on their own 5 metre line, a good line out take from Sam Humphreys allowed Elks to clear.

Huntingdon were soon back on the attack and although the Elks defence was good they created a chance for a drop goal which was cleanly slotted making it 9-3 after 48 mins.

Both sides then battled hard for control as play was mainly concentrated around half way, Huntingdon then had their best attack of the half moving the ball through several phases and stretching the Elks defence, Elks were caught off side and the penalty converted making it 12-3 after 62 mins.

Elks responded well through Humphreys and Stevenson and Huntingdon were penalised, Elks kicked to the corner but the line out was not straight and Huntingdon cleared.

Elks won another ball against the head but could not create any solid chances to score tries.

As the game entered the last 5 mins the Elks defensive organisation fell apart as 2 speculative kicks were not dealt with and Huntingdon ran in two more tries both of which were converted making it 26-3 after 77 mins.

The Elks heads dropped after the two quick scores and Huntingdon dominated the final exchanges and ran in a third try in the left corner, the difficult conversion attempt struck the post and the referee blew for full time making it 31-3.

Elks did not deserve to lose by this margin but created very little in terms of try scoring opportunities, the league does not lie and Elks are now fourth bottom following this latest defeat. Not may highlights from the game although Tom Pottinger stood out in the backs as the main danger, Man of the Match however goes to Sam Humphreys who took decent line out ball, tackled really well and had several good runs with ball in hand.

Next week sees a home fixture against Wellingborough and chance to get a much needed win on the board, kick off 2.15.