Bonus Point Win For Elks

This was another bonus point win for the Elks achieved against the very robust and dogged visitors from Lincolnshire. Two tries from man of the match Haigh and one each from Dan Taylor and Bennett provided the bonus point and a sublime kicking performance from Falls, with one penalty and four conversions, made up the score.

In the reverse fixture earlier in the season the Rasen forwards had dominated the game and earned them a narrow victory but it was the Elks forwards who had the upper hand at the Stute on Saturday and laid the foundation for the win. Fowkes, Quinn and Corcoran were outstanding and their example was followed by the remainder of the pack who eagerly met the physical challenge and nullified the visitors main attacking weapon.

Using the wind and slope the home side took an early lead with a Falls penalty after three minutes. The ball carrying power of Moore, McGuire and McKelvey had taken play deep into the visitors half forcing them to transgress at the ruck. From the restart the Elks were reminded of where Rasen's strengths lay. Johns put a penalty into the corner, Mills took the throw and the forwards rumbled over the line for Chamberlin to claim the try putting the home side 3 - 5 behind with only five minutes gone. Rasen could have extended their lead when Grint raced clear
but Corcoran was on hand to rescue the situation. The Elks applied the pressure and create chances but a combination of solid Rasen defence and hadling errors denied a score.

With twenty minutes gone Rasen's defence finally broke. Wells and Bennett were instrumental in winning quick ruck ball providing Gatehouse with space. He ghosted through a gap and and offloaded in the tackle to Dan Taylor who sped in close to the posts. Falls converted to establish a 10 - 5 lead. From the restart the Elks reestablished themsilves deep in Rasen territory and earned a line out close to the line. Fowkes secured the throw and fed Haigh off the top. The scrum half tisted and turned through a number of tackles and touched down. Falls disected
the posts from wide out stretching the lead to 17 - 5.

As the half closed the solid scrum platform provided by McGiure, Moore and Wells and the line out ball supplied by Fowkes and Bennett ensured the pressure was kept on the visitors. The final score of the half came courtesy of a Fowkes line out take. The forwards mauled towards the line and Bennett peeled off to score wide out. Falls again stroked the conversion over leaving it 24 - 5 at half time.

As the second half got underway Denning replaced Gwynne who had picked up an injury. Denning was soon into the action when he combined with Falls, McKelvey and Lewis Taylor to earn a scrum close to the Rasen line. Corcoran picked from the base and made hard yards before slipping the ball to Haigh whose strength and abiity to wriggle out of tackles enabled him to claim his second try. Falls made it five from five with the conversion and gave the Elks a 31 - 5 lead and a bonus point. Wells suffered a damaged rib at the restart and departed to be replaced by
Pringle who had announced earlier that this was to be his final game. The crowds ovation was testimony to his popularity and recognition of his exceptional service to the club, strectching back some thirty four years through Juniors, Colts and Seniors.

The remainder of the half was dominated by Rasen as they used the elements to good effect pinning the Elks inside their own half. The home defence however was outstanding as it denied wave after wave of attacks. Quinn, Corcoran and McKelvey competed for every scrap of possession at the breakdown while Pringle, McGuire and Moore fought tirelessly at close quarters. When the ball secured Fowkes and Bennet were on hand to drive play forward. The Elks looked to expand the game ever willing to move the ball. A breakout involving the Taylor brothers and Ayres created a chance for Denning but the ball was dislodged in the tackle with the line begging.

Try as they may the visitors could not find a way through or around the Elks defence. With Gatehouse, Dan Taylor and Ayres bottling up the midfield and Falls, Lewis Taylor and Denning marshaling the wide areas Rasen were forced to revert to their pack as ameans of salvation. Rudkins appearance for McKelvey brought fresh legs to the battle and his workrate in the tackle helped keep the line intact until the last minute of the game when Rasen's perserverence was rewarded when following a number of phases Dearden crashed over close to the posts. Johns conversion made it 31 - 12 but time had run out and results elsewhere saw the Elks reclaim fourth spot in the league.

Classic Man of the Match Joel Haigh