Matlock kicked off in glorious sunshine and seemed quicker out the blocks. They had an early chance for points when the Elks were penalised at the breakdown and the kick sailed over to give Matlock a 3-0 lead after 4 minutes.

Elks then settled into the game and had a great chance to score on the right but the ball was spilt forward in the tackle. Matlock failed to clear and the Elks won a scrum in the opposition 22. This was quickly moved left and space was found for Lewis Taylor to show his pace and register the first try on 8 minutes. Conversion missed to make it 3-5.

Back came Matlock and when the Elks were penalised for offside they kicked another penalty on 10 minutes to regain the lead 6-5

Elks soon had another chance following good line out ball by Paul Shoebridge, the Elks attacked and this time Matlock were caught offside and Joel Haigh kicked the penalty to make it 6-8 after 14 minutes.

Elks were still conceding too many penalties and another infringement gave Matlock a shot at goal on 18 minutes, though this was pushed wide to the left.

Matlock attacked again but were penalised for obstruction, allowing the Elks to clear and another good line out take by Shoebridge was driven but dragged down illegally by Matlock. The Elks kicked to touch and moved the ball right but were penalised for holding on. Matlock cleared to half way but the Elks stole the ball and attacked through Haigh and Dan Taylor. Matlock were penalised and Elks kicked to touch and when the line out was won and driven forward, Adam Corcoran broke off the back to crash over on 28 minutes, conversion missed to make it 6-13.

Elks were penalised at the next breakdown and Matlock kicked to touch, where they won the line out and Elks were caught offside, this time the referee singled out Alex Ayres and sin binned him on 30 minutes. Matlock kicked the penalty to make it 9-13.

Both sides continued attacking when they could but some physical hits were stopping any real momentum. Ryan Mills came on for Ben Wells on 36 minutes.

Matlock then used their numerical advantage when a clever kick to the left found space for their flying winger to collect and score on 36 minutes, converted well from the left corner to make it 16-13.

Back came the Elks and this time Matlock were guilty of slowing the ball down which led to a sin binning for repeated offences. This time Elks took advantage of the extra man and following a series of line out drives and further penalties the Elks opted to scrum. This was driven over the Matlock line with Corcoran getting the vital touchdown. This was converted by Jonathan Falls on the stroke of half time to make it 16-20 to the Elks following a great half of rugby.

Elks got the second half underway and were soon on the attack, recycling well with Haigh always looking threatening. After another good phase of play, Elks recycled and Haigh found Dan Taylor to score with an Ashton like swallow dive on 43 minutes, converted by Falls to make it 16-27.

Matlock came back again and had chance to score, but great defence by Hugh Smith and Ayres turned the ball over.

Matlock knocked on their next possession and from the scrum Haigh broke and fed the back line, Dan Taylor made good ground and fed brother Lewis Taylor who still had work to do but he managed to evade three defenders to score on 47 minutes again converted by Falls to make it 16-34.

Matlock were penalised from the kick off and marched back a further 10 metres for back chat. Elks kicked to touch and won the ball through Jonathan Down and this time Haigh did not feed the backs but dummied the onrushing defence to score under the posts on 52 minuess, again converted by Falls to give Elks clear daylight at 16-41.

Wells replaced Dean Chapman & Tom Pottinger came on for Shoebridge after 54 minutes. Matlock had their first real chance of the second half and took it well to score on the right after 59 minutes, converted to make it 23-41.

The game was being played at a frantic pace as Matlock chased the game, knock ons and penalties were not helping the Elks cause.

Shoebridge came back on for Chris Tipton after 70 minutes. Matlock tried a speculative cross kick which was defended by Wells but knocked on. Matlock worked the ball well from the scrum driving with the forwards and finding space on the left to score on 71 minutes, again converted to make it 30-41.

Jack Townsend came on for Lewis Taylor after 72 minutes. Matlock now clearly believed they could come back and worked the ball left to score again on 74 minutes, also converted to make it 37-41.

The Elks looked shell shocked after conceding 21 unanswered points as the game entered the last 5 minutes. Elks had some respite when Matlock were penalised for slowing the ball down and Elks cleared into the Matlock half. Elks attacked from the line out and Matlock were caught off side, this was kicked by Falls on 78 minutes to make it 37-44.

Elks safely caught the kick off and played keep ball until Haigh kicked dead knowing time was up. Final score 37-44.

This was a fantastic game of rugby fiercely fought by two in form teams and a great showpiece for Derbyshire rugby.

Some great performances on the day but man of the Match was Joel Haigh who was a persistent threat to Matlock all game.

Well done lads, keep up the great work. Next game 1st against 2nd as Elks host Old Northamptonians 3.00pm kick off.

Link to Ilkeston Advertiser report

Link to Derby Telegraph report

Link to Nottingham Post report