The Elks win the crucial local derby 18-12

Ilkeston 18-12 Derby

This crucial encounter fully lived up to expectations and tested the nerves of the largest crowd of the season. It was a must win game for both sides as they seek the end of season playoff spot. Ilkeston duly delivered but Derby’s hopes are also alive as they secured a very valuable bonus point.

Some soul searching and blunt talking during the week had focussed the Elks and last weeks under par performance was laid to rest as they tore into the visitors from the first whistle and never slackened the intensity until the last.

The return of Stoker gave the line out a more solid look and he and Quinn provided a steady supply of quality possession. Likewise reuniting Gatehouse and Dan Taylor in the centre, with Greg Taylor reverting to his normal role at full back, gave the side more options in the attack and defence.

As was expected the game started at a frantic pace with no quarter asked or given in the tackle. The crowd and the importance of the occasion was evident in the early stages with nerves and fear of making a mistake resulting in some aimless kicking and fumbled passes. Once the adrenaline had settled however the crowd were treated to a feast of skilful and passionate rugby.

With 5 minutes gone a poor Derby clearance kick was fielded by Hallam who countered and set up a ruck inside the Derby 22. The ball was recycled and found Carney in midfield. His deft grubber forced the visitors to concede a line out close to the line. Moore’s throw found Quinn, his forwards drove the maul over the line and Carney emerged to claim the score. Connolly failed with the conversion but a 5-0 lead was still a dream start for the Elks.

Mindful of their task Derby came charging back and used the slope and breeze to peg the Elks back inside their own half. Attacking from deep Connolly found space and set Gatehouse on a run. He fed Greg Taylor who took play inside the visitors 22 but the chance was lost with a penalty at the breakdown.

Derby brought the game level with an unconverted try in the corner following quick ball from a line out on half way and swift transference through the backs.

The intensity of the tackling and competition at the breakdown allowed little space and time for calling for high skills and quick thinking. Both sides displayed these in abundance.

With each side securing their own scrum and line out and both defences making their tackles a touch of inspiration was needed to break the deadlock. Greg Taylor almost provided the spark when he jinked his way out of his own half and found support from Corcoran and Quinn but Robertson was alert to the danger to provide an all important tackle.

The always eager Hallam made hard yards and linked with Dan Taylor who sprinted into space and fed Carney who made it close to the line but was penalised for holding on.

Derby were too asking questions of defence. Wilmott’s powerful running and the ability of Hutchinson, Marlow, and Hersey to inject pace with moves called for first up tackles to be made and Wallace, Chenoweth, and Lewis Taylor all were equal to the task.

As the half closed Derby applied pressure with a series of line outs and scrums close to the home line but their efforts were denied thanks to some stubborn defence to keep all level at half time.

The Elks exerted the early pressure in the second half and pinned Derby in their own half. Showing a willingness to run from deep Wescott broke free and only a covering tackle from Haigh prevented a score.

As the game switched from end to end the excellent control of referee Ms Claire Hodnett kept the heads cool and allowed passages of play to develop.

Quick ball from ruck and maul gave Haigh the space in which to operate and his service provided Connolly with options. After 20 minutes into the half his instinctive selection of the correct pass put Dan Taylor into a gap and he broke to link with Stoker who brought Moore and Chenoweth into play and earn a scrum close to the line. The ball was secured and Gatehouse crashed into the defensive line and earn a penalty which Connolly slotted to give the Elks an 8-5 lead.

From the restart Quinn claimed the ball and charged upfield. He moved the ball to Corcoran who found support from Holland who stayed on his feet in the tackle and offloaded to Moore. \he made it to the line but could not ground the ball.

The Elks however were not to be denied and from the 5 meter scrum picked and made ground. Quick ball from Haigh and deft hands from Chenoweth put Quinn into the corner for a converted try stretching the lead to 15-5.

The lead could have been increased from the restart when good hands and support play involving Quinn, Carney, Wallace and Haigh saw Derby penalised but Connolly pulled his shot wide from 45 meters.

As the game entered the last 10 minutes Derby fought their way back into the game with a fine individual effort from Marlow following a line out on 30 meters out.

With the score at 15-12 and time running out Moore took a strike against the head and Carney broke. He found support from Greg Taylor who linked with brother Lewis to take play into the Derby 22 and set up a ruck. The ball was recycled and Connolly coolly slotted a drop goal for the final score giving the Elks the spoils at 18-12.

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