Elks re-enact the Great Escape

The Elks started with the slope and wind but it was Huntingdon who made all the early running, they were soon camped in the Elks 22 and scored after a penalty against the Elks was tapped quickly and the No8 crashed over, extras missed making it 0-5 after 11 mins.

Things got worse for the Elks when McGuire was forced off with a nasty hand injury, replaced by Max Hodson.

The Elks scrum was performing well and Huntingdon were conceding penalties, Jake Lamb kicked to touch and Steve Quinn took the line out, the maul was driven forward but the ball knocked on, Huntingdon cleared but Elks were still in their 22, the line out was again caught and a well-controlled maul was driven over to level the scores on 24 mins for the vital touch down, extras missed 5-5.

Elks were now using the elements well and from another attacking line out Quinn drove hard but was held up, Elks had a 5 metre scrum and drove to the line, Huntingdon stopped it illegally and were penalised, Elks again opted for the scrum and drove forward, it was again halted illegally and the ref awarded a penalty try, Lamb with the extras making it 12-5 after 35 mins.

Elks failed to maintain the momentum and back came Huntingdon with a similar driving maul at the end of the half, they forced their way over on the stroke of half time to make it 12-10, conversion missed.

Huntingdon now had the slope and wind with only a two point deficit to face, they were soon in the Elks 22 and nearly scored in the corner only for the winger to have his foot in touch.

Elks were struggling to clear their lines as Huntingdon dominated territory and possession, Elks were penalised at a ruck and Huntingdon had a shot at goal on 48 mins which was pushed left leaving it at 12-10.

Huntingdon continued to attack and another penalty chance on 54 mins was cleanly struck to give them the lead at 12-13, Elks were struck further injury blows when Simon Bennett and Dan Hyams both left the field injured resulting in uncontested scrums, shortly followed by Steve Quinn leaving the Elks down to 14. Joel Haigh and Will Taylor came off the bench to add some much needed fresh legs.

Elks defended desperately as Huntingdon took the game to the Elks and had long periods in the Elks half, the pressure finally told as a further penalty was struck to extend Huntingdon’s lead to 12-16 after 73 mins.

Elks threw caution to the wind as they chased the game and finally had some ball in the Huntingdon 22, Lamb made several breaks but support play was too slow or the ball knocked on, it looked like a losing bonus point until Lamb again attacked, the defence came up quick and Lamb chipped over to the right hand side, Richard Synott gathered the kick and forced his way over on 79 mins to give the Elks a fortunate lead, extras missed making it 17-16.

The resulting kick off was safely gathered and kicked dead to bring full time, this was an unlikely victory and somewhat harsh on Huntingdon who had dominated for long periods, however sport can be like that and the Elks celebrated their last minute victory.

The team was much disrupted with injuries and positional changes but Man of the Match goes to Jake Lamb who was at the heart of most attacks and produced a sublime kick at the end to help snatch the victory.

Next week sees a trip to Wellingborough, kick Off 2.15