Elks On Top In County Clash

This eagerly awaited clash between county rivals lived up to expectations and provided plenty of twists and turns at the Stute on Saturday. On a day when the club marked Terry Keely's fifty years involvement with the Elks their performance on the field matched the party atmosphere of the large crowd and ensured a vastly enjoyable day for the home supporters.

The victory was built on the Elks forwards desire to dominate the reputed Matlock pack and the ability of the backs to use the ball
at pace.

The forwards contribution was immense as they not only matched but eventually dominated their opposite numbers earning a penalty try and a further three from driving mauls. The work of the back row of Quinn, McKelvey and Corcoran kept Matlock on the back foot and the ball carrying man of the match Fowkes and Moore in particular drove the Elks over the gain line and gave the backs a steady stream of useable ball. Fowkes, Bennett and Quinn dominated the line out securing their own throws and stealing Matlock's at regular intervals. It was the front row however where the contribution was most telling. The unavailability of the injured Wells meant McGuire moved to tight head and the youngster Meakin stepping in at loose head. While the combination took sometime to settle once it had it created all sorts of problems for the visitors.

From the kick off a flowing move through numerous phases took play close to the Matlock line. Receiving quick ball from the ruck Haigh spotted a gap and darted over close to the posts. Falls conversion gave the Elks a 7 - 0 lead with only two minutes gone. From the restart Matlock applied pressure but could not find a way through a resolute defence where Gatehouse, Greg Taylor and Ayres made telling contributions. Having absorbed the pressure Falls instigated a breakout and linked with Lewis Taylor, Meakin and Bennett to earn a line out inside the Matlock twenty two. Fowkes secured the throw and the forwards mauled towards the line. The visitors collapsed the maul and the referee had no option but to award a penalty try which Falls converted to move the score to 14 - 0 fifteen minutes in.

From the restart Matlock put themselves back in the game when Young charged down an attempted gatehouse clearane, regathered the ball and scored wide out to make it 14 - 5. Making good use of the slope and the breeze Matlock continued to exert pressure. Keeping the ball close to the pack they laid seige to the Elks line. An interception by Corcoran and strong running from Ayres and Lewis Taylor offered some respite but Matlock were not to be denied and reduced the arrears to 14 - 8 with a Young penalty on the stroke of half time.

The Elks were first on the score sheet in te second half when Smith and Greg Taylor combined to earn a penalty close to the posts. Ignoring
the easy three points Haigh put the ball into the corner, Bennett took the throw, the forwards rumbled over the line and Gatehouse emerged to
claim the try giving the Elks a 19 - 8 lead. With Meakin departing McGuire reverted to loose head and Hallam came on to tight head. Despite
the disruption the scrum continued to function and take play to the visitors. Fifteen minutes in Young slotted his second penalty wide out to move Matlock closer at 19 - 11. Minutes later a promising attack from the Elks ended in disaster when Matlock's winger intercepted inside his own twenty two and raced cear to score between the posts. Youngs conversion brought Matlock to within one point at 19 - 18.

Falls departed with a hamstring injury, Smith moved to full back and Mahoney came on to the wing. A Matlock infringement at the restart allowed Haigh to put the ball into the corner. The recipe for the previous try was repeated with Corcoran claiming the score. Haigh added the extras to give the Elks a 26 - 18 lead. The final quarter was all the Elks with two further tries added. The first from Greg Taylor started deep inside their own half. Quinn, Hallam, Ayres and Smith swept play into the Matlock twenty two and Greg Taylors well timed run put him over in the coner.

At 31 - 18 Matlock struggled to find a way back and a second interception could have gifted them a try but Smith was on hand to rescue the situation. The final try of the game also started deep in the Elks half. Shoebridge, who had replaced Mckelvey, turned the ball over and sent Smith sprinting away. He linked with Mahoney and Lewis Taylor to set up a ruck inside the twenty two. Haigh was on hand to feed Gatehouse and his reverse flick gave Quinn the space to crash over. Haigh's conversion left it 38 - 18 at the final whistle.

Classic Drinks Man of the Match Steve Fowkes.