Great Defence Seals Key Victory

It was 1st v 3rd in the league and with both sides scoring for fun a big score could have been anticipated, however on the day despite the best efforts of both sides it was defence which won the day.

Elks kicked off and quickly won the ball back only to get forced into touch. Steve Fowkes took a great catch in the line out and an attack was launched only for the ball to be knocked on. Another good Elks possession caught Bedford offside but the ensuing line out was poorly executed - giving Bedford easy possession. The Elks line out continued to stall throughout the match and did not perform to its usual efficiency. On several occasions this gave easy possession to Bedford.

From a Bedford attack the Elks were penalised and the ball kicked to touch. From the Bedford line out the ball was caught and driven but well defended by the Elks. The next Elks attack made inroads into the Bedford half but was turned over when the Elks attacker was held up. Bedford were then penalised for an early push at the scrum and Joel Haigh took a quick tap and went on a mazy run before being tackled. The ball was quickly recycled to Marc Moore who showed deft hands to put Lewis Taylor in for a try on 17 minutes which was unconverted to leave the score 0-5.

Another scrappy line out gave Bedford the ball but they missed the chance to attack by knocking on. Both teams then had chances but either knock on`s or good tackling kept scoring chances to a minimum. Elks were penalised for not binding at a scrum and this gave Bedford a shot at goal on 31 minutes but fortunately for the Elks it was pushed wide.

A scrum in midfield gave the Elks the next chance to attack and Haigh made a great break and with quick recycling, Greg Taylor was given the ball and smashed his way past 2 defenders to score on 34 minutes. This was converted to give the Elks a 12 point lead.

Bedford came back strong and despite a great turnover by Ben Wells in midfield, continued pressure resulted in a penalty within range of the posts; this was successfully kicked on 38 minutes to make it 3-12

Both sides then lost their discipline especially at the breakdown where Bedford were again guilty of being offside and Haigh kicked an easy 3 points to make it 3-15 at Half Time.

Bedford started the second half strongly and forced the Elks into conceding penalties. Bedford used their big runners in midfield but the defence held firm with some fine tackling, especially from Matt McGuire & Matthew Watkins. Bedford pressure eventually told when Marc Moore was sin binned on 50 minutes for another ruck infringement. Bedford quickly took advantage of the extra man and from the resulting line out caught and drove well to force their way over on 52 minutes for an unconverted try to make it 8-15.

Josh Meakin came on for Wells and McGuire went to hooker. The Elks kick off failed to go the required 10 metres and the initiative was handed back to Bedford. The next ten minutes were hard work for the Elks with a man less and Bedford gave us a stern test. However the defence stood strong and some superb tackling from in particular Lewis Taylor, Matt McGuire and Alex Ayres kept Bedford at bay. Watkins was also responsible for two great turnovers when the Elks were under pressure.

Marc Moore returned from his enforced rest and Elks then launched their own series of attacks but could not find a way through some solid Bedford defence. There was then a delay in play as 2 Bedford players clashed heads, thankfully there were no serious injuries. Bedford came again at the Elks but first good drift defence and then a Bedford knock-on halted the attacks.

The Elks then attacked again down the right hand side but the ball was knocked on just outside the Bedford 22, from the resulting scrum the ball was taken against the head and worked down the blind side, quick hands and good support put Greg Taylor in for his second try, which was unconverted.

Hugh Smith and Ben Marshall came on for Watkins & Lewis Taylor for the final minutes. The Elks finished on the attack and were forced into touch bringing the final whistle.

This was a fine performance against a strong Bedford side, who I would think will not lose many games at home this season. The Elks defence was solid throughout the game and from many fine performances, the Man of the Match Matthew Watkins put some fearless tackling in and came up with some key turnovers at important times. The line out was probably the only part of the game which was not functioning to its usual level.

The next game is Matlock at home with a past players lunch before the 3pm kick off.

Link to Ilkeston Advertiser report.

Link to Nottingham Post report.