Spalding kicked off with the slope advantage but were soon under pressure as the Elks took control of the game. Steve Quinn stole possession from a Spalding drive and Joel Haigh cleared. The line out was won by Stephen Fowkes and Haigh broke through the defence where Greg Taylor was in close support and took Haigh’s pass to sprint clear, scoring after 3 minutes, Haigh converted to make it 7-0.

Elks were soon on the attack and after Fowkes stole the ball he broke clear and was supported by Jake Lamb who passed to Hugh Smith who passed back to Lamb to score after 8 minutes, unconverted to make it 12-0

It continued to be one way traffic and following another attack the ball was recycled well and Haigh fed Steve Quinn to score after 13 minutes, converted by Haigh. 19-0

Elks attacked again from the kick off but the ball was kicked through at the breakdown by the Spalding scrum half who then won the chase for the ball and scored on 16 minutes, unconverted to make it 19-5.

From the kick off Spalding won the ball and attacked left, the kick ahead was poor and it allowed Jonathan Falls to counter attack. He beat two defenders and then passed to G Taylor to finish off and score on 19 minutes, unconverted to make it 24-5.

The kick off was well returned by Haigh, Taylor and Fowkes with the final pass to Falls just forward. Elks soon had the ball back and attacked with Dan Mahoney, the move continued with Lamb and Taylor who fed falls to sprint clear and score under the posts, converted by Haigh to make it 34-5 after 25 minutes. Mahoney was injured in the build up and was replaced by Jacob Heath for his first appearance.

Elks were soon back on the attack and kicked deep into the Spalding half, their return kick was poor and allowed Haigh to counter attack, he combined with Smith, Lamb and Taylor who then fed Heath to sprint clear and score his first try for the team. This was converted by Haigh to make it 38-5 after 30 minutes.

Spalding were struggling to compete with the intensity of the Elks attack and were kicking clear with their own possession. Elks continued to dominate and following another attack by Falls the ball was worked to G Taylor who found space to score after 34 minutes, unconverted making it 43-5 and Jake Smithurst was replaced by Adam Stoker.

Spalding finally had some ball and territory but play was mainly around half way as the whistle blew for half time with the Elks well on top at 43-5.

The second half followed much the same pattern as the first with Elks dominating play. Haigh soon had control of the ball and fed Alex Ayres who broke through in midfield, he shipped the ball to G Taylor who ran in unchallenged on 42 minutes, converted by Haigh to make it 50-5

Elks came back straight away and were camped in the Spalding 22, Elks attacked through Haigh and Marc Moore. Spalding were caught off side and Elks opted for the scrum, the attack was moved right with Falls coming into the line, he offloaded to Heath for his second try on 45 minutes, converted by Haigh making it 57-5.

Quinn attacked from the kick off but the move broke down with a loose pass. Spalding were now throwing caution to the wind and looking to open up play when they got chance, after Elks were penalised Spalding kicked to touch and moved the line out ball left, some sloppy tackling allowed them through to score on 55 minutes, unconverted to make it 57-10

Elks were still dominating possession but were not as clinical with the execution as they had been in the first half. Ryan Mills was replaced by Dean Chapman on 58 minutes.

From another poor Spalding kick Elks counter attacked through Falls and Taylor who eventually fed Lamb to score on 64 minutes, converted by Haigh to make it 64-10

Elks were still having the bulk of possession but sloppy mistakes allowed Spalding to clear. Elks then produced their best rugby of the second half as a move involving most of the team ended up with Falls running in unchallenged, converted by Haigh to make it 71-10 after 76 minutes.

Elks were straight back on the attack with Haigh and Ayres, Spalding were penalised at the breakdown and Ayres took a quick tap and ran through to score after 78 minutes, converted by Haigh to make it 78-10.

No further scores were registered leaving it 78-10 at full time. On the day Spalding were completely out classed by a rampant Elks side. There were many choices for Man of the Match with some outstanding play on show, not for the first time though this season Greg Taylor was too hot to handle for Spalding and gets the nod. Well done also to Jacob Heath who showed great composure on his debut.

Following Bedford’s victory over the Lions the Elks moved into second spot and claimed a place in the Play Offs.

This is no more than the squad deserve following a great season of rugby, the coaches and players can be proud of their achievements this season and can look forward to hopefully a great game next week.

We travel down to Worcester Wanderers who have home advantage due to their better overall results, kick off 3.00pm. Good luck to all involved next week and we hope to have a few supporters down to cheer you on. Buses are being laid on – check the website for details of how to book you seat – first come first served.

Thanks for a great season regardless of next week’s result; it has been a pleasure to watch some of the rugby played throughout the season.

Nick Pettitt
President

Link to Ilkeston Advertiser report

Link to Derby Telegraph report