Winning Start for The Elks

Spalding kicked off in glorious sunshine and from the start the Elks looked to move the ball quickly at every opportunity, with good interplay between Adam Corcoran, Alex Ayres and Hugh Smith who carried the ball into the Spalding 22 where they were forced into touch. The Elks won the ball back at the line out and Ayers went on a storming run holding off tacklers and shipping the ball to Jono Falls who went over for the first try which he converted.

Elks continued on the attack and from a Spalding infringement took a quick penalty and Joel Haigh went on a great run, drew his man and passed to Falls who went in for his second try, which was unconverted. From the restart Elks attacked again with Ayres causing havoc in the Spalding midfield but unfortunately the ball was later knocked on in the Spalding 22. Spalding continued to kick any possession away and another attack ended with Lewis Taylor just being tackled into touch.

Spalding were penalised for holding on and Jake Lamb put a great kick into the left corner. The line out ball was caught well and driven over for Corcoran to touch down for another unconverted try.

Spalding replied with some pressure of their own and from a line out, the Elks were caught offside and the penalty was converted by Spalding.

The Elks were again quickly on the attack and another great midfield break by Ayres nearly led to a try. Elks continued to look for space and after a play involving seven phases Falls was forced into touch a yard short of the line.

Spalding had their best spell of the first half and attacked well down the left wing, some desperate defence by Tom Pottinger and Falls resulted in a penalty, which Spalding kicked to touch in the corner. A a poor line out from Spalding allowed the Elks to clear and that brought half time with the score 3-17.

The Elks began the second half much like the first with some superb handling. Stretching the defence, the Elks missed a couple of chances to score with spilt passes. Following a forward pass, Spalding were penalised at the scrum and the Elks kicked into the corner. A scrappy line out was recycled and Spalding were penalised for not releasing. Ilkeston opted for a scrum where Corky picked up and drew the defender to feed Haigh for the bonus point try which was converted.

Elks started to turn the screw and attacked in waves, one such attack saw some great handling and movement finally ending with Pottinger going over for a try on his debut, again converted.

The Elks knocked on from the kick off and the Spalding hooker was sin-binned following some foul play as the frustration began to build in the Spalding side.

It was then hard work for Spalding - a man down with the Elks showing no mercy, who ran in 2 more converted tries through Haigh and then Ayers, who deserved a try after his performance.

The game then entered a scrappy period as players tired and passes were dropped. When Spalding were back to 15 they attacked down the right and a covering tackle by Falls was deemed illegal resulting in a yellow card. Spalding stepped up their efforts for a try and the Elks were reduced to 13 men when Matt Watkins was sin binned for a spear tackle, this seemed a harsh decision and even the Spalding supporters where in agreement.

With the 2 man advantage Spalding attacked in the left corner and following a line out, caught and drove over for an unconverted try, leaving the final score at 8-45. The Elks man of the match is Alex Ayers.

An encouraging start for the Elks and well done to Matt Watkins and Tom Pottinger on their debuts.

Next game Peterborough at the Stute 3.00 kick off.

Link to Ilkeston Advertiser report.