Pavs kicked to touch but good work at the line out turned possession over and Elks came blind through Jake Smithurst. The ball was recycled and moved right to Alex Ayres who fed Dan Taylor to sprint clear and score on 5 minutes, this was unconverted but gave Elks the perfect start 5-0.

Despite perfect playing conditions both sides were making basic mistakes although the Elks were seeing the bulk of possession. Following a Pavs knock on the Elks were given good field position, the scrum ball was won clean and a perfect backs move straight off the training ground put Greg Taylor clean through to score near the posts after 22 minutes, converted to put Elks further ahead at 12-0

Elks were on the attack again and kicked ahead putting Pavs under pressure, play was brought back for a penalty against the Elks for being in front of the kicker, backchat from the Elks gave Pavs another 10 metres up the field. Pavs kicked to touch and a good driving maul saw them score on 25 minutes, conversion missed to make it 12-5 and an example of what ill discipline can result in.

Elks were still putting good pressure on Pavs who were finding it difficult to gain any foothold going uphill.

From a Pavs scrum Elks produced a mighty shove and turned the ball over, the ball was quickly moved wide and good work from Dan Mahoney and D Taylor put G Taylor in for his second try; this was converted by Joel Haigh on 35 minutes to stretch the lead to 19-5

Play was then mostly confined to the midfield area for the remaining 5 minutes of the first half giving Elks a good lead at 19-5. Dan Mahoney was replaced by Jonathan Down.

Pavs kicked off the second half and a good take from Steve Quinn put Elks on the attack, the ball was recycled and moved right to Jono falls whose run was halted when he was forced into touch. Elks were penalised at the line out but Pavs missed the kick to touch and allowed G Taylor to counter attack, Pavs defended well and stopped the Elks on the half way line.

Elks continued to press and Pavs were caught offside, Elks kicked to touch and Down won clean ball, this was moved left and Pavs were caught off side again. Elks kicked to touch and following another clean catch, this time by Smithurst Elks drove forward, Pavs defended well and turned possession over and cleared.

Elks came again still seeing the majority of the possession, one move was recycled well and moved left only to be halted by an illegal tackle, this resulted in a sin binning for the Pavs offender on 58 minutes. D Taylor replaced by Mahoney and Tom Pottinger came on for Lewis Taylor.

Elks soon profited from the numerical advantage when after winning clean line out ball it was moved quickly left and G Taylor timed his run well to collect the ball and out sprint the defence for his hat trick and the all important 4 try bonus point. This was unconverted by Haigh after 62 minutes.

Elks seemed to relax somewhat after the fourth try and the game lost some of its earlier intensity. Both sides made silly errors and no further scores were registered, Final Score 24-5

This was a big win for the Elks, bouncing back well from last week’s defeat, all the other main contenders won but with 2 games to play any 2 from 4 could still go up.

The day was sponsored by Stirland Paterson and they kindly donated the prizes for first try scorer and Man of the Match. Elks collected both with Dan Taylor for first try and brother Greg Taylor deservedly earning man of the Match for his excellent hat trick.

Next week Elks travel to Kettering for a must win game, Kettering seem to have improved greatly in recent weeks with the return of some of their better players and we look forward to a great game. Kick off 3.00pm.

Link to Ilkeston Advertiser report

Link to Derby Telegraph report

Link to Nottingham Post report