Elks battle hard in defeat by Newbold

The Elks began well down the slope and were soon in the Newbold 22, the scrum looked strong and the lineout was working well, from an attacking lineout the Elks pack drove hard and eventually crashed over with Steve Quinn getting the touchdown, extras missed 5-0 after 6 mins.

Elks were soon back on the attack but a spilt ball was pounced on by Newbold and they counter attacked with great pace and scored a try after 13 mins, extras missed making it 5-5.

The Elks responded well with an attack down the right but were forced into touch, the Newbold lineout was not straight and Elks had an attacking scrum, the ball was moved left but a forward pass halted the move.

Newbold were struggling to clear their lines and conceding penalties at the breakdown, Elks kicked a penalty to the corner and took clean lineout ball, the backs moved the ball quickly to the right and found Luke Bayliss in space, he sprinted in to score after 24 mins, extras missed making it 10-5.

The Elks scrum was starting to dominate and Newbold were conceding penalties, Elks again kicked to the corner but the lineout was lost from a promising position and Newbold cleared, despite the bulk of possession and territory Elks could not find a way to score again through a resolute Newbold defence, half time 10-5.

Newbold now had the slope and were soon on the Elks line, they recycled quickly and crashed over to level the scores after 42 mins, extras missed 10-10.

Newbold came on the attack again but the ball was spilt and Elks counter attacked through Quinn who made 20 metres, the ball was turned over and Newbold came again, Elks were beginning to concede penalties as the Newbold attacks mounted and they kicked well for territory through their fly half.

The Elks were putting in a great display of defence and forced several mistakes as the attacks came from Newbold, even though the Elks cleared their lines the boot from the Newbold fly half kept the Elks pinned in their own 22.

Elks had limited attacks in the second half but great work from Quinn and Simon Bennett took the Elks into the Newbold 22, the ball was lost and Newbold cleared 50 metres down field.

Continued pressure from Newbold eventually told as they created space to score their third try, this time converted making it 10-17 after 68 mins.

Elks tried desperately to get back in the game through Alex Ayres, Jack Partington and Quinn but every time a mistake was made Newbold kicked back well pinning the Elks deep in their own half, Elks attacked again through Quinn and Sam Humphries but the ball was turned over, Newbold kicked over the top and their winger showed fantastic pace to gather and score, extras missed making it 10-22 after 76 mins.

Elks had one last attack after a Newbold penalty, Jake Lamb kicked to the corner and Humphries took good lineout ball, Newbold were offside and Elks took a quick tap, good defence from Newbold snuffed out the chance and f the final whistle was blown, full time 10-22.

The Elks played their part in an entertaining game but could not score enough points in the first half when well on top, credit to Newbold who put the stranglehold on the Elks in the second half and thoroughly deserved their victory.

A great first half effort from the pack took its toll as the game wore on and Newbold played well down the hill with their fly half outstanding with his kicks from hand, Man of the Match for the Elks was Steve Quinn who was excellent at the base of the scrum and took the game to Newbold whenever he could.

Elks have one final battle next week in the shape of Scunthorpe who have just been promoted to level four after a fantastic season in National 3, it’s a great opportunity for the Elks to challenge themselves against a good outfit.

Kick-off for the NLD cup final is 3.30pm at Mellish Rugby Club on Mapperley Tops, let’s get along to cheer on the Elks.