Kettering win in the mud at the Stute 13-14

Ilkeston 13-14 Kettering

The Elks were hoping to put the disappointment of last weeks reversal at Matlock behind them in their first encounter of the season with Kettering.

Due to heavy overnight rain the match was switched to the 2nd XV pitch and all other games at the Stute postponed.

Stoker and Chenoweth returned at second row and with ever present Hallam failing a fitness test Jono Falls started for the first time following a lengthy absence with a hamstring injury. Lewis Taylor replaced the unavailable Connolly at fly half.

The Elks fell behind in the first minute to a penalty for not releasing 0-3. There then followed ,perhaps, Ilkeston's best spell of the match with the home side threatening the Kettering line, but they only scored a Falls penalty on 14 minutes. 3-3.

Directly from the restart Kettering regained the lead with a penalty against Falls for not releasing. 3-6

The home side appeared to be missing the influential Connolly at no. 10 and were not taking advantage of the wind and slope. However on 25 minutes Greg Taylor broke from a midfield melee to cross the line for an unconverted try. 8-6

The remainder of the half was dictated by the conditions with neither side capable of opening up the game.

Half time 8-6

Quinn left the fray with a thumb injury to be replaced by Shoebridge and the Elks came out in attacking fashion. However, this was to be their undoing as Kettering full back launched a huge wind assisted clearance kick which was pounced on by the winger who crossed the line in the corner. Conversion missed. 8-11

The game was confined to mainly to midfield and neither side looked capable of lightening up a dull affair in heavy conditions.

Kettering did extend their slender advantage with a penalty on 69 minutes. 8-14

With the clock ticking away the Elks finally sparked into life and again Greg Taylor got his second try of the afternoon after good work by his younger brother Lewis in the loose.The conversion was missed by Falls on 78 minutes. 13-14

Ilkeston pressed hard for the final couple of minutes but Kettering held firm and hung on to the narrowest of victories, perhaps just deserving the points.

In a match of few highlights man of the match went to Greg Taylor for his 2 tries that kept the Elks in contention.

Next Saturday struggling Newark visit the Stute and Ilkeston will be hoping the current run of form is just a blip as they strive to retain the coveted runners up spot.

Classic Drinks Man of the Match - Greg Taylor.