ELKS REMAIN TOP WITH FIRST WIN AT MELTON

Man of the Match – Chris Kemsley

For the second time in two games the Elks were engaged in a crucial top of the table clash on Saturday. Having dispatched Spalding the previous week they made the trip to take on third place Melton and emerged with a hard fought victory which enabled them to retain top spot.
Close to freezing temperatures and a chilling wind tested the resolve of the large number of travelling supporters and the ability of the combatants to play a handling game with frozen fingers. In the event the spectators were warmed by a thrilling encounter and the players belied the conditions to produce several fine passages of play.
The victory was earned by the Elks’ resolve to defend their line and their ability to dominate first phase and impose their pattern on the home side. To the fore were Adam Stoker and Bryn Locke who secured lineout ball. Stoker’s takes at the front were constantly rescuing desperate situations and allowing the Elks to escape their own twenty two. Likewise the front row of Mat McGuire, Jason Falls and skipper Craig Charlton resisted their much heavier opponents and challenged them to such an extent that Melton were allowed to establish their forward orientated game.
The Elks’ desire was tangible with every scrap of possession ferociously contested, every tackle made and every duty attended to. To withstand long periods of pressure, with Melton camped on their line, the Elks needed resolve and technique with both being duly delivered.
The first thirty minutes were dominated by the cold and blustery wind as both sides explored ways of developing a pattern. The Elks threatened first with a searing break from JJ Connolly but the ball finally failed to go to hand with the line beckoning. Josh Newton was denied minutes later when his deft chip over the defence rolled over the dead ball line before he could touch it down. On fifteen minutes Melton should have taken the lead when a number of dynamic rucks created an overlap on the right. Against all odds Josh Newton, Greg Taylor and Scott Rudkin salvaged the situation and scramble the ball away.
Further pressure was absorbed before a Chris Kemsley box kick earned a lineout on halfway. A Stoker lineout steal and McGuire break from the ensuing ruck took play in behind the Melton defence. McGuire kept his cool and as the defence converged his overhead pass found fellow Kiwi Rich Burne in support. Burne increased his stride and raced away from a posse of defenders to score between the posts. After the game even the referee was drawn to admit that he thought Burne’s legs would never last. Connolly converted to give the Elks a 0 – 7 lead after thirty minutes.
The half played out with Melton exploring ways of opening the Elks’ defence. Drives close to the ruck and maul were repulsed by crunching tackles with Steve Mahoney, Arian Montague and Charlton to the fore. Attempts to move the ball wider were equally frustrated where Rudkin and Alan Cook exercised a stranglehold in midfield assisted by Dan Mahoney, Josh Newton and Taylor filling any gaps that appeared.
The second half started brightly for the Elks with Taylor showing his pace to take him into the Melton twenty two but the ball was spilled in contact and the chance lost. Melton could have registered a score fifteen minutes into the half but a penalty from fully forty metres fell wide and short.
Kemsley’s use of the box kick enabled the Elks to regain territorial advantage as Melton failed to cope with the tactic. Although Melton were enjoying the greater share of of possession the Elks were creating the better chances. Connolly’s grubber kick, fielded by Cook and fed onto Dan Mahoney earned a lineout inside the Melton twenty two. Steve Quinn, who has replaced Montague, helped to secure the ball which was delivered into midfield, Rudkin’s strength broke several tackles and in desperation Melton transgressed and a penalty awarded. Connolly made no mistake with kick taking the visitors to a 0 – 10 lead.
Another Burne charge, supported by Falls, earned Connolly another chance but his attempt from thirty five metres he pulled his kick wide. As the clock ticked away Melton raised their game, turned the screw and pressed to equal the scores. A try saving tackle from Taylor denied then and two kickable penalties were spurned as Melton strove for the try that would put them back into the game. However, they could not unlock the Elks’ defence who held on for a hard fought but well deserved victory. A hard fought victory which, to avoid unnecessary changes affecting the side, left Gordon Pringle and Ben Newton to freeze on the sidelines, demonstrated that this squad, with many absentees still recovering from injury, has the strength in depth to compete at the top of table and above.
Currently, the Elks do not have a game next week, although there is the outside chance of a Cup game, although the Development side have a home game.