ELKS TAKE ADVANTAGE AT FORTRESS STUTE

Classic Drinks Man of the Match - Greg Taylor.

The largest crowd of the season gathered at the Stute on Saturday to witness a consummate performance from the Elks as they dispatched their nearest rivals and retained top spot in the league.
The quality of the rugby produced belied the conditions underfoot and the fact that the game was playable at all following heavy rain, owed much to the sterling work of groundsman Max Egglestone and his band of helpers.

With the majority of the 1st team squad available the Elks were able to pick from strength giving the side a mixture of power, pace, youth, and experience. The mix worked well to the extent that the home side controlled the game and rarely looked troubled. The early pressure belonged to the Elks with the scrum showing their intent from the start and making life difficult for their opposite numbers while producing quality ball for their backs.

The first chance came from a solid scrum, with swift hands releasing Greg Taylor who was bundled into touch just short. Taylor did get on the score sheet after twelve minutes with a superb solo effort. Mat McQuire fielded a Spalding kick out and fed JJ Connolly infield. He linked
with Bryn Locke and the ball was moved through Scott Rudkin to Greg Taylor.With half the field and the entire Spalding team between him and the goal line he changed gear and picked his route between defenders to touch down in the corner to make it 5-0.

From the restart the Elks came close to increasing their lead when Alan Cook, Connolly, and Craig Charlton combined. The chance went begging when the referee spotted some foul play and consigned No. 8 Rich Burne to the sin-bin. Despite being a man short the Elks continued to set the pace and a turnover courtesy of Rudkin and Cook set up a sublime handling movement that swept the length of the field. Jono
Falls, Adrian Montague, and Jason Falls set Connolly free. His chip in behind the defence led to a scrum on five metres. Even with a man short the Elks pack disrupted Spalding’s ball forcing Williams to scramble the ball away. It was collected by Greg Taylor who danced his way
through the sea of bodies and put Chris Kelmsley over in the corner.

Burne's return from the sin-bin restored the Elks to full strength, a factor which was put to good use on thirty eight minutes. Dan Taylor’s well timed entry into the line and chip over the defence earned an attacking scrum close to the Spalding line. A quick strike and solid shunt saw the Elks pack march the visitors backwards allowing Burne to touch down. Jono Falls converted giving the Elks a 17-0 lead at half time which owed much to the Elks concentration and determination to deny the visitors time and space. The work of McGuire, Jason Falls, and Craig Charlton were solidity itself in the front row and provided the platform from which the side could operate. The return of Bryn Locke to the side gave valuable line out options and both he and Adam Stoker not only dominated this area but were endlessly on hand to link and drive the ball on.

The renowned power of the Spalding back row and midfield attack were nullified by the work rate and physical presence of Montague, Burne, and Steve Mahoney. The half back partnership of Kemsley and Connolly pulled the strings, inevitably choosing the right options, kicking, probing or releasing the outside backs.

The fact that Spalding were denied a score in the half, despite a fair share of ball, owed much to the experience and organisational ability of Rudkin and Cook in the centre and the understanding and support work of the back three Dan Taylor, Greg Taylor and Jono Falls. The Elks made
the perfect start to the second half with a well worked try. From a scrum inside the Spalding twenty two Burne picked and linked with Kemsley. The ball was moved wide, Dan Taylor hit the line at pace and fed his brother Greg who was halted just short but Burne was on hand to pick
up and dart over to make it 22-0.

Jono Falls and Adrian Montague departed to be replaced by Dan Mahoney and Ben Newton. Both were quickly into the act playing a part in the sweeping move that earned a scrum in the Spalding twenty two. The ball was duly delivered and Connolly coolly dropped a goal, despite the sticky conditions underfoot, to make it 25-0.

Spalding dug deep and hit back despite the Elks being reduced to fourteen men for the second time, with Stoker being punished with 10 minutes, but the defence again held firm. As the half wore on Jason Falls departed to be
replaced by Gordon Pringle and the fresh legs gave new impetus to the tiring front row and ensured that the visitors were not allowed to salvage anything from the game.

The planning and preparation going into this game had paid dividends and more of the same is required this Saturday as the Elks make the trip to third place Melton Mowbray.

Photos from the game courtesy of The Ilkeston Advertiser.