ELKS STRETCH LEAD AT TOP OF TABLE

Classic Wines & Spirits Man of the Match – Bryn Locke

The calculators have not been consigned to the desk drawer just yet but this victory at West Bridgford and Spalding’s defeat at Loughborough means that one win from the remaining two games will see the Ilkeston promoted as Champions.

Whilst never reaching the heights the Elks always had too much fire power and never looked like losing the contest. They started slowly, rarely found their rhythm and cruised through the second half yet still managed to claim a comfortable 0 – 34 victory. For the first fifteen minutes it was difficult to establish which team were aspiring for promotion and which were battling at the foot of the table as Bridgford laid siege to the visitor’s line.

The Elks were grateful to the front row power of Mat McGuire, Marc Moore and Craig Charlton when the home side were driven off their own ball in a five metre scrimmage allowing Greg Taylor to kick them out of danger and establish an attacking position. Bryn Locke’s take at the lineout and JJ Connolly’s break earned a penalty which Connolly converted to give the Elks a lead which they never relinquished.

The Elks applied the pressure but while chances were being created the finishing touches were not applied and the home side escaped punishment. McGuire’s power break deserved better as did the fit again Jono Falls’ weaving run from deep inside his own half. There was an element of over eagerness in the Elks’ play, too often trying to force the pace rather than play through the phases and wait for the openings.

When the breakthrough did come, on twenty two minutes, it was simplicity itself. Rich Burne secured the lineout, Chris Kemsley moved the ball out and Dan Taylor sped into the line taking Connolly’s pass, drew the fullback and fed his brother Greg who scored close to the posts. Connolly converted to stretch the lead to 0 – 10.

As the Elks began to dominate the lineout through Burne, Locke and Steve Quinn the backs were provided with plenty of quality possession and it was only a matter of time before they put it to profitable use. With thirty minutes gone Connolly fashioned a superb individual effort from scrum ball on the twenty two. Expecting the ball to go wide again the home defence drifted. Connolly spotted a gap, dummied and darted through to score.

Flanker Quinn claimed the next try, benefiting from a Scott Rudkin midfield break, to take the score onto 0 – 22. As halftime approached the Elks made it 0 – 29 with a try which started deep inside their own twenty two. Ball from a solid scrum was moved into midfield where Greg Taylor showed confidence and pace to break beyond the halfway line. As the tackle came he offloaded to Steve Mahoney who raced clear and touched down between the posts. Connolly added the extras making it 0 – 29 at the break.

The second half was a dour spectacle with Bridgford’s robust defence keeping their line intact until the dying seconds. A number of forced changes were made with Quinn’s hand injury leading to him retiring and be replaced by youngster Simon Bennett. Adrian Montague also departed proceedings being replaced by Gordon Pringle. Player-Coach Rudkin joined him on the sidelines with a groin strain giving a league debut to Lee Rowland, another product of the Development XV.

All three fitted in to their respective roles but even they could not help the Elks find the rhythm which could turn possession into points. Whatever the visitors threw at them the home side defenders somehow managed to rescue the situation. Dan Mahoney was hauled down just short and Dan Taylor, denied a try by the corner flag, which would have been just reward for one of the few flowing moves of the half.

At last the Elks put some phases together which took play from deep inside their own half into opposition territory. Both forwards and backs combined to sweep play across the park and back again where Jono Falls was on hand to sprint into the corner and bring the final score to 0 – 34.

Commenting after the game Player-Coach Scott Rudkin summed up the afternoon; “We didn’t really play with our normal fluency today and haven’t really done so for some weeks. I think that maybe nerves have got to us a little bit with the league title so much in everyone’s mind. We need to relax a little bit and play our normal game. Next week, back at the Stute against Coalville, will be a different matter as we know they are good side, we drew 13 – 13 at their place and we know that they will be a really tough test. We play better against those sorts of sides and there will be no problem with our focus and concentration next week”.

Next weeks home game against Coalville is one of the most important of the season. A win will see the Elks crowned as Champions with any other result making for a very nervous trip to Sleaford for the final league game of the season.