Elks produce season best to despatch Kettering

Last week’s rain had disappeared and despite the cold it was a bright sunny winters day, perfect for running rugby.

Elks began brightly uphill but a combination of good defence and little errors prevented any real scoring chances.

Kettering were first to have chance of points from a penalty kick which was pushed wide after 6 mins, they had another chance soon after finding space for the winger but the ball was spilt forward and the chance gone.

Elks attacked through Dan Taylor and Kettering were caught offside, Elks kicked to touch and although the line out was taken it was knocked on soon after.

The Elks pack was starting to dominate scrums and this was to be the theme for most of the game, despite this Kettering used the slope well and had another chance in the Elks 22, Elks were caught offside and Kettering’s kicker slotted the easy kick after 17 mins, 0-3

Elks responded well through Richard Synott who ran strong all game and was dangerous with ball in hand. Elks launched another attack through D Taylor but discipline let the Elks down and they were penalised allowing Kettering to clear, Kettering attacked from a line out and again Elks were penalised, Kettering took the shot at goal and extended their lead to 0-6 after 30 mins.

Again the Elks responded well through Synott who made 30 metres up the left, Joel Haigh continued the move but was dragged down short of the line, Kettering failed to roll away and were penalised along with a yellow card on 32 mins.

Elks opted for the 5 metre scrum and drove forward towards the line, the ball was knocked on and another chance gone. Elks continued to attack but after a loose pass was pounced on by Kettering they counter attacked and move the ball left, the ball was recycled and their hooker showed great pace to run in a try, extras added making it 0-13 after 38 mins.

Elks did manage a score before the break when Greg Taylor & D Taylor linked together well, Haigh and Lamb were next to continue the move which was halted short of the line, Kettering were caught offside and Haigh tapped quickly and darted over to score, he added the extras making it 7-13 at half time.

Elks had the slope in the second and were soon on the attack, despite a knock on the Elks pack shoved Kettering off their own ball and moved the ball left, it was quickly recycled and Lamb crashed over, Haigh added the extras to give the Elks the lead at 14-13 after 43 mins.

Elks forced another turnover and kicked to the corner, Elks took clean ball and drove forward, play was halted when a fight broke out and despite it looking like handbag stuff the referee produced a yellow for Kettering and a red for Chris Tipton, on 57 mins.

The red card seemed to inspire the Elks as they upped the pace of the game with both Taylors, Pottinger, Haigh and Lamb all running some great attacking lines, the handling was precise and another score soon followed after Dan Taylor made a break and linked with Pottinger, Haigh passed to G Taylor who stormed over to score, Haigh added the extras making it 21-13 after 62 mins.

From a Kettering scrum Elks won the ball against the head and Pottinger attacked, Elks were penalised and Kettering kicked to touch, they launched an attack from the line out and looked to have an overlap, a long miss pass was poached by Haigh and he sprinted 40 metres to score on the right, extras missed making it 26-13 after 70 mins.

Kettering still looked dangerous with ball in hand although they had to chase the game from deep and going uphill made it difficult, after Kettering were penalised the Elks kicked to the 22 and took clean line out ball, the ball was moved left and recycled, D Taylor made a great angled run and crashed through the line to score in the corner after 76 mins, conversion missed making it 31-13.

Kettering came again at the Elks and Sam Humphreys received a yellow for a dangerous tackle, Kettering attacked from the penalty but Elks closed the game out for a fully deserved victory.

This was easily the best performance of the season with the forwards dominating the scrum and providing a great platform for Haigh and Lamb to distribute, the rest of the backline showed great pace and handling skills and although it was hard to pick a Man of the Match it was Dan Taylor who got the nod for some big hits in defence and some great running lines in attack.

Next week sees an away trip to Market Rasen who are themselves struggling at the wrong end of the table, they always provide stiff opposition at home so a tough encounter is expected. Kick Off 2.15