Wellingborough defeated with second half blitz

With injuries mounting up the Elks took the field with a much changed side including our very own Peter Pan in the shape of Gordon Pringle who managed a full game at prop AND hooker!

Wellingborough saw the majority of early possession but a great turnover from Greg Taylor relieved the pressure, Elks had their first attack as Luke Bayliss made good ground on the wing, the ball was recycled and Joel Haigh dummied and shot through a gap to score after 13 mins, extras missed 0-5

Wellingborough responded well with another promising attack again halted by excellent defence from G Taylor, Wellingborough continued to attack and the Elks were beginning to concede a number of penalties, this resulted in an easy shot a goal on 26 mins to make the score 3-5.

Wellingborough grew in confidence from the score and started to spread the ball wide, they created space on the left for the winger to score after 32 mins, extras missed making it 8-5.

Elks created their own attack through Jake Lamb and G Taylor but the ball was stolen in contact, Jack Partington came in to halt the attack but was guilty of a tip tackle and yellow carded on 38 mins.

Wellingborough had the final play of the half with a long distance penalty which fell short, half time 8-5. Joe Marsden came on at half time.

Wellingborough made the better start to the second half which was made easier with further penalties being conceded by the Elks, this resulted in another try for Wellingborough on 45 mins, extras missed making it 13-5.

Elks came back down the wing through G Taylor and Joe Marsden, the final pass was knocked forward by Wellingborough and judged to be deliberate, resulting in a yellow card for Wellingborough after 46 mins.

Lamb kicked to the corner and the line out was taken and driven, the ball was moved wide to Partington who was stopped short of the line, Wellingborough were penalised in front of the posts and Haigh scored making it 13-8 after 48 mins.

Wellingborough came straight back and were soon in the Elks 22, from a line out they attacked and a well-controlled maul was driven over on 54 mins, extras added making it 20-8. Ryan Gee came on to make his first team debut

Elks then produced an unbelievable spell of rugby starting with Haigh, G Taylor and Marsden linking up well, Marsden slipped the ball back to Haigh who had too much pace for the defence and scored under the posts, Haigh added the extras making it 20-15 after 62 mins.

From the kick off Tom Pottinger took the ball and passed to G Taylor who made good ground, Marsden carried on the move and fed the ball back to G Taylor to score near the posts, Haigh added the extras making it 20-22 after 63 mins.

Wellingborough were visibly shocked with the two quick scores and tried to play the ball wide, a long pass was intercepted by Will Taylor who just had the legs to make it to the line and score his debut try for the first team, Haigh again added the extras making it 20-29 after 66 mins.

This was a remarkable turnaround from 20-8 down to score 21 points in little over 4 minutes to take the lead.

Wellingborough threw everything at the Elks in an attempt to get back in the game but the defence was solid, the penalty count began to mount as the Elks tired and Pottinger was yellow carded on 78 mins for not rolling away. Wellingborough did get the final score as they went quick from a further penalty to score in the corner, extras missed making the final score 25-29.

Whilst not playing at their best for long periods the Elks produced 4 minutes of quality rugby which eventually won them the game, great to see young Will Taylor bag his first try and Ryan Gee make his debut.

Man of the Match goes to Joel Haigh who not only scored twice but produced quality service from scrum half throughout the game, next week sees a tough trip to Kettering who sit one place above us in the league, please note kick off is now 3.00PM