Elks Go Top!

ON`s kicked off with the slope and Elks were penalised early, allowing ON`s to kick for touch but the kick missed touch and allowed Joel Haigh to clear.

ON`s were on the attack again but kicked possession away, allowing Greg Taylor to catch and clear well. The breakdowns as expected were fiercely fought and Elks won a penalty at one breakdown when ON`s went off their feet. This was kicked through the middle of the uprights by Haigh to give Elks the lead on 10 minutes, 3-0.

ON`s continued to press and had a good attack on the left that was well defended by Dan Mahoney. The ON`s were showing why they are top and gained another penalty for a scrum infringement, again their kicker missed touch, allowing the Elks to clear.

Elks then had another good chance in the ON`s 22m. Jake Smithurst won the line out and the ball moved into midfield but unfortunately a knock on halted progress.

The Elks were penalised again at the scrum, this time a quick tap was taken and good ground made. The ball was recycled quickly and moved to the right where good passing put ON`s in at the corner on 27 minutes, this was unconverted to give them a 3-5 lead which was probably a fair reflection of the opening half hour.

ON`s were on the attack again but this time great work by Jonathan Falls turned the ball over, allowing Elks to kick clear. This resulted in a penalty when the Elks were in front of the kicker. ON`s opted for the kick at goal but this was missed to the right on 32 minutes.

Ben Wells was replaced by Ryan Mills on 34 minutes.

Another penalty scrum against the Elks gave ON`s good territory deep in the Elks 22m. The ensuing line out was well caught and driven towards the line, which the Elks defended stoically but the pressure eventually told and Elks were penalised at the breakdown. This gave ON`s an easy penalty kick which was taken on 38 minutes to extend their lead to 3-8.

It was a tough battle for the Elks especially playing uphill, and they were under pressure again but thankfully ON`s kicked away possession, allowing Haigh to catch and clear.

From another ON`s kick, Falls finally had a chance to show his running skills and made good ground. ON`s were penalised at the breakdown giving Elks a difficult shot at goal on the stroke of half time, this was just missed by Haigh to leave it 3-8 at the break.

Elks now had the slope and came out firing in the second half - Adam Corcoran was first to break well with Dan Taylor in support and he was well tackled, but ON`s were penalised for not rolling away. The kick to touch was caught and driven and Elks broke from the maul but the ball was knocked on.

Both sides then made basic mistakes giving possession straight back. From a scrum, ON`s were penalised for dropping it and Elks kicked to touch and won the line out and drove towards the line but were penalised for side entry, allowing ON`s to clear.

Dean Chapman came on for Josh Meakin after 50 minutes. ON`s were still using the kick more often than not and another loose kick was well fielded by Falls who fed Greg Taylor. He then went on a fantastic run to cover 60 metres and score under the posts on 51 minutes, which brought great cheers from the large home crowd. Haigh converted to put Elks 10-8 ahead.

ON`s came straight back and had a good attack using the left winger, he kicked ahead and Elks had a line out in their own 22m. The Elks line out was not straight and then they were penalised at the scrum, ON`s attacked from the scrum but good tackling by both Alex Ayres and Dan Taylor kept them at bay.

At the next scrum ON`s were penalised and Elks cleared to half way. The line out was won and Elks attacked again, this was defended well but Elks still had a scrum. Another ON`s penalty allowed Elks to kick deep but the following line out was thrown too long and ON`s cleared.

Elks were trying to play ambitious rugby and mistakes were being made, Wells came on for Mills on 60 minutes as the game entered the final quarter with all to play for.

After the first half when ON`s kicked poorly they used their driving maul more in the second half and made good yardage. ON`s attacked but were penalised at the breakdown for not rolling away and Elks kicked for touch. Jonathan Down took good line out ball but this was wasted when the ball was knocked on in midfield.

Elks put immense pressure on the next ON`s scrum forcing them back, although they were still able to collect the ball and kick ahead. The Elks knocked on and gave ON`s some easy possession but thankfully ON`s knocked on soon after. Tom Pottinger replaced Steve Quinn on 75 minutes.

ON`s were then penalised for a high tackle and Elks kicked to touch in the ON`s 22m, the line out was again took clean by Down and Elks drove towards the line but it was dragged down by ON`s who were penalised. Elks opted for the scrum as they looked to seal the win, the scrum was a good one and Elks drove forward, Corcoran broke from the base and bounced off the first tackler and then crashed over on 78 minutes, this was unconverted to make it 15-8 with time running out.

ON`s were too eager at the kick off and were penalised for being in front of the kicker. Elks attacked from the scrum but were forced into touch; Elks stole the line out and played keep ball until time was up and Haigh kicked dead to seal victory. Final Score 15-8

This was a fiercely competitive game as you would expect from the top two sides. Elks were deserving winners on the day and go top of the league with 4 games to play.

Some top performances from the team but Man of the Match went to Greg Taylor for some great full back play and whose second half try turned the game.

A respite from League rugby this weekend although it gets no easier as we visit Paviors in the NLD semi final. They have not been in good form recently but I’m sure they will be keen to reverse the recent run of wins for the Elks.

Penned by the President.

Link to Ilkeston Advertiser report

Link to Derby Telegraph report

Link to Nottingham Post report