Elks defeat Ashbourne at home

Elks registered their first league win in a tight game at the Stute, eventually beating Ashbourne 26-23.

Elks began with the slope although the first 10 minutes were rather scrappy and played mainly around half way.

Aiden Norris stole an Ashbourne line out and the Elks attacked through Alex Ayres, Ashbourne were penalised and the Elks kicked to the 22, Harry Walton made a good break but support was far too slow and Ashbourne turned the ball over and cleared.

Ashbourne launched their first attack and Elks were penalised for appealing to the ref, the penalty was struck well and Asbourne led 0-3 after 7 mins.

The Elks were struggling to get into the game a looked a bit flat, Ashbourne took full advantage and despite playing uphill looked the better side, they had a good series of pick and drives and eventually crashed over on 25 mins, extras added making it 0-10.

Elks finally had an impact on the game and with Norris taking good line out ball were able to attack through Ayres and Jake Lamb. Ashbourne gave away several penalties and Ayres took a quick tap, the ball was moved right to find Aaron Garvey in space to score, extras well added by Walton to make it 7-10 after 35 mins.

Ashbourne responded well and attacked down the left working through several phases, they broke clear and looked likely to score until Alex Brown came from nowhere to make a try saving tackle. Elks however could not clear the danger and after three pick and drives Ashbourne forced their way over for another try, extras missed making it 7-15 at half time.

Elks now had a huge task ahead playing uphill following a lack lustre first half.

From the kick off Alex Brown returned superbly and made 40 metres, the ball was recycled and moved right, Ashbourne were offside and Ayres took a quick tap, the ball was moved left and then back right to find Rob Tiplady lurking down the blindside to score, Walton again converted well from the side-lines to make it 14-15 after 46 mins.

Ashbourne and the Elks exchanged attacks as both sides battled for the upper hand, Ashbourne were now falling foul of the referee and conceded several penalties, Ayres was again on hand with a quick tap and the ball move left for Garvey to score his second try after 57 mins, Walton again converted and Elks had the lead for the first time at 21-15.

Ashbourne responded well and from a kick ahead caught the Elks in possession, they were turned over and Ashbourne attacked down the right to score after 66 mins, extras missed making it 21-20.

Elks came back well and attacked down the left as the game entered the final 10 mins, the ball was recycled well but the attack halted illegally, Elks took a quick tap and moved left, the ball eventually found Garvey who broke through several tackles to score his hat trick and move Elks further clear, extras missed but it was now 26-20 after 74 mins.

Elks gave away a soft penalty from the kick off and Ashbourne duly slotted the kick to make it 26-23 after 76 mins.

Elks again attacked from the kick off with Luke Bayliss making 20 metres, the final pass was adjudged forward and Ashbourne cleared, Elks were turned over and Ashbourne attacked down the left, the Elks were penalised for a high tackle and Ashbourne had a shot at goal, thankfully for the Elks the kick was pushed left.

The final minutes were frantic as Ashbourne went in search of a winning score and Elks tried to close the game out, Elks were penalised as time ran out giving Ashbourne a final shot to tie the game, the kick again went wide and Elks hung on for the win, 26-23.

A decent win for the Elks but it was made hard work with a poor first half, Norris was again excellent in the line out and Ayres and Jake Lamb showed up well in the centres, Man of the Match however was an easy choice with Aaron Garvey securing a hat trick of tries to help Elks to victory.

Next week sees a return to the Intermediate Cup with an away trip to Leek in Staffordshire, check website for Kick Off time.