ELKS WIN DOUBLE HEADER

Man of the Match - Neil Stenhouse

The Elks travelled to Bakewell Mannerians in the heart of the Peak District for the first time in many years. The hosts had made a good start to their season after promotion, winning three and loosing only once out of their four matches. Ilkeston were looking to maintain their 100% record and their target of promotion.

Saturday’s game was a double header with the winners taking the league points and also progressing to the next round of the NLD Shield. Progression in the NLD Shield is a stated aim for the Elks this season after poor results and performances in recent seasons.

The grey and overcast conditions at Bakewell were, to the travelling Ilkeston faithful, hopefully just weather conditions and not a reflection of their team’s performance, unfortunately that was not the case.

The Elks didn’t have the best of starts and looked as though they needed a little time to settle. A territorial kick by centre Greg Taylor took play into the host’s 22m but the Elks were penalised after a scrum and pressure was relieved. Greg Taylor again attacked and his half break into the home sides 22m gained a penalty. The kick at goal was refused and a line kick chosen instead. A decision that left the crowd wondering as the Elks had their two kickers available and in good form. A poor line out, which was prevalent for most of the game, allowed Bakewell to win the ball and clear with the chance of the first points being recorded missed.

Eleven minutes into the game the Elks took a quick lineout but lost the ball at the breakdown. Bakewell took advantage from a chip forward by Hutchinson and a gather by Ellsworth took him over for the first try. Hutchinson converted to make the score 7-0.

Bakewell were confident of their abilities and were willing to run the ball and caused the Elks defence severe problems. The Elks were conceding too many penalties and giving away both possession and territory. Bakewell’s backs were playing Ilkeston’s normal style of open running rugby and were unlucky not to advance further after a near perfect cross field kick.

Stenhouse put the Elks on the board after a 45metre penalty kick from near the touch line went in off the bar. Score now 7-3. Ilkeston welcomed debutant tight head prop Matt McGuire who was not having it all his own way with Bakewell’s forwards just as confident as their backs.

Bakewell should have increased their lead when a 40metre penalty attempt was missed from yet another decision against the visitors. From the restart Bakewell moved the ball wide and missed another penalty attempt. Ilkeston were pushing their luck. After twenty nine minutes Stoker took a line out and the ball put out to Stenhouse. His break took play deep into Bakewell’s 22m. A penalty against the Elks at the breakdown was compounded when Dan Taylor was yellow carded for dissent.

Good interplay from the Elks forwards, putting together phases and hard yards, came to nothing when they were again penalised for holding on. Far too many errors in every area of the Elks game were being punished by Bakewell who had real thoughts of an upset. After thirty two minutes an excellent try by the host’s backs showed real pace against a flat footed defence. The breakdown ball was spun out quickly from Westwood to Hutchinson via Moroney to winger Ward. Ward’s speed took him passed a flailing defence and over for the try. Hutchinson converted and moved the score on to 14-3.

Ilkeston had to start keeping possession and stop the penalties. A bit of a sparkle of life came from full back Jono Falls breaking tackles on a trade mark run. Falls linked with Greg Taylor who put his brother Dan clear to take the ball into the Bakewell half. Yet another penalty against resulted and a promising passage ended.

The second half started as the first. A Bakewell scrum against the head followed by another penalty against the Elks was given. A scrum down and ball to Bakewell gave Elsworth a drop goal attempt. The miss let the Elks off the hook.

Ilkeston had to make changes and after five minutes Matt McGuire gave way to Craig Charlton and scrum half Chris Kemsley was also replaced. Stenhouse moved to scrum half, Cook went to fly half and Scott Rudkin came on at inside centre. Players with experience had to stem the tide. Immediately breakdown ball was won and spread quickly to Rudkin who made the break only to be stopped just short of the try line.

After eight minutes the Elks thought they had scored a try but Dan Taylor had a foot in touch. The Elks started to put pressure on their hosts and had a penalty attempt by Jono Falls adjudged wide of the posts. He was quickly involved again but his break was stopped with the ball being spilled. The changes to the Elks line up were working and Jono Falls was seeing more and more of the ball. After twenty minutes Falls went a searing run side stepping his way through Bakewell’s defence. Ben Newton was on Fall’s shoulder and took the pass to go over for the try to Ilkeston’s following supporters delight. The score moved on to 14-8.

Bakewell were reduced to 14 men when one of their second row suffered the same penalty for dissent as the Elks in the first half. The penalty lineout kick gave the Elks a 5m lineout. The catch and drive move to the line was held up. Stenhouse quick ball allowed Cook to dive over in the corner. The Elks were one point behind at 14-13.

Russ Garland replaced Adrian Montague and was straight into action taking a line out ball against the throw. The ball moved quickly to Rudkin who created a gap for Dan Taylor whose break was stopped close to the Bakewell line. The Elks were awarded the put in and went for the push over try. The score put the Elks into the lead when Paul Shoebridge touched down. Jono Falls increased the lead with his conversion to 14-20.

The Elks were putting phases together and their penalty count reduced as a result. Passes were going to hand and sticking. A counter attack by Ilkeston resulted in a Stenhouse penalty attempt. The attempt was converted and left, the still very dangerous, Bakewell needing to score twice to regain the lead.

Matt McGuire returned to the front row after Jason Falls shoulder injury forced him off with two minutes to go. Bakewell had to score quickly and they did just that from a lineout. They kept the ball open and ran around the Elk’s defence for Wells to score in the corner. With the conversion missed and no time left on the clock Bakewell lost the chance of victory and Ilkeston had played their get out of jail free card.