Workmanlike Performance Produces Away Win

The Elks kicked off and the ball was quickly won back by Stephen Fowkes to allow a drive up the field where they were held up and the ball turned over for a Market Bosworth scrum. Ilkeston were then penalised for holding on to the ball whilst on the floor and Market Bosworth kicked for touch, won the line out and drove into the Elks 22, but the defence stood firm and Elks cleared to half way.

The Elks were probing to find space but Market Bosworth tackled well and with not committing men to the breakdown, were able to fill the field with a good defensive line. Market Bosworth attacked again but the danger was cleared by a great kick from Jonathan Falls. The Elks then started to play better rugby and a great run by Gregory Taylor was only halted when he was forced into touch. Following the line out, Market Bosworth fumbled the ball which was picked up by Joel Haigh who then beat 3 men and passed to Greg Taylor for the first try on 15 minutes which was converted by Falls.

The kick off was caught well by Adam Corcoran who went on the attack but unfortunately the ball was passed forward. Market Bosworth then came on the attack but a superb tackle by Greg Taylor forced the winger back with some speed. Market Bosworth continued to attack and drove deep into the Elks 22 where Daniel Taylor was then yellow carded for a ruck infringement on 22 minutes. The extra man allowed Market Bosworth to use their line out and driving maul to eventually force their way over for an unconverted try after 25 minutes.

Ben Wells & Paul Shoebridge were replaced by Jake Smithurst & Josh Meakin on 34 minutes. There then followed a series of Elks attacks which were halted on three occasions by Bosworth players by not rolling away from the tackle area and one kickable penalty was attempted unsuccessfully by Falls, and following another infringement by the opposition the referee had had enough and yellow carded a Bosworth player on 36 minutes.

Elks again found their way into the Bosworth 22 but were well cleared by the full back whose kick was returned well by Greg Taylor and following several passes, Hugh Smith was tackled just short of the line. The Elks won a scrum and the ball was quickly moved left where great handling allowed space for Falls to go over unconverted. Elks then finished the half on the attack but an accidental offside allowed Bosworth to clear. Half Time 5-12

Bosworth kicked off the second half with the ball well caught by Smithurst who was bundled into touch; Bosworth then attacked well from the line out but a forward pass halted the move. The scrummage was well cleared and Greg Taylor appeared to be clear through only for the ref to call it back for a knock on but the ball had actually came off his leg. Market Bosworth then had their best period of the match and good play in midfield followed by great strength from the second row allowed them to score a converted try to level the scores on 45 minutes. A collapsed scrum then caused a hold up in play to deal with a Bosworth injury. Another Elks attack was cleared by Bosworth and Jack Townsend replaced Hugh Smith on 49 minutes.

Both teams then shared possession but neither could make that important break; some great tackling especially by Lewis Taylor kept Bosworth out. Bosworth then had a series of attacks and following a move to the right, good handling put the centre in to score on 65 minutes giving Bosworth the lead for the first time. The Elks continued to attack but some unusually poor passing was breaking up play.

The Elks then stepped up their efforts and had a great ten minutes, following a break by Greg Taylor and then Lewis Taylor, the ball was moved quickly with great recycling involving backs and forwards, allowing Matt McGuire to score under the posts to allow an easy conversion by Falls on 72 minutes. Bosworth were caught offside from the kick off and Elks soon went on the attack, similar to the previous try, great hands involving forwards and backs allowed Falls to crash over on 75 minutes, unconverted.

After the restart, good play by Dan Taylor turned the ball over, and he was quickly on hand again to stop a Bosworth attack and a huge clearance kick by Jake Lamb was pursued by several players and Lamb eventually won the chase and touched down on 77 minutes, again converted by Falls. There then followed several unforced errors from both teams as Bosworth chased the game, an Elks infringement was kicked to touch and the line out caught and driven over for an unconverted try by Bosworth with 2 minutes of normal play remaining. This was to be the final score of the game leaving the result at 22-31.

Man of the Match Stephen Fowkes.

The players and coaches will be pleased with the victory, although the performance was more workmanlike than the usual displays, still 5 points away from home is always welcome.

Next match 22nd September - Peterborough at home - 3.00pm kick off.

Nick Pettitt
Club President

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