ELKS LOSE AT FIELD

Man of the Match – Greg Taylor

A much changed Elks side made the short trip to Mansfield for this Midlands 1 encounter. Injuries had again deprived the side of a number of regulars with Mat McGuire, Adam Corcoran and Ben Gatehouse joining Scott Rudkin and Dan Taylor on the sidelines. Fit again Jono Falls returned at full back, George Darby made his first appearance of the season in the back row and youngster Tom Holland was given his first league start in the front row.

The absences meant players were shuffled into unfamiliar positions which accounted for a number of simple errors which proved costly in a tight game. Despite the disruption the Elks stared briskly and could have been on the scoreboard twice within the first twenty minutes had the handling and passing been more accurate.

The Elks’ scrum, where Holland, Marc Moore and Craig Charlton provided a solid platform, generally produced usable ball. The line out with options of Adam Stoker, Bryn Vernon and Rich Burne likewise produced a supply of ball but were not as dominant as in recent weeks as the home side challenged their throw and the referee offered little protection.

JJ Connolly’s chip and take inside Mansfield’s twenty two looked to have created a score but the pass went to ground was gathered by Coleman who raced away. Andrew Chapman’s intervention came to the rescue.

The visitors threatened again when Alan Cook found a gap and fed Greg Taylor but lack of quick support saw the ball turned over in the tackle. It took until the twenty sixth minute for Mansfield to make their first visit into the Elks’ twenty two when Coleman was again prevented by a Jono Falls tackle. The first score came on thirty five minutes and went to the home side. Line out ball on half way was moved into midfield where Robinson broke through a gap. His pass out of the tackle was not perfect but Storey managed to juggle and hang onto the ball and race in between the posts. Shaw converted to give Mansfield a lead of 7-0 against the run of play.

The Elks levelled the score straight from the restart. Mansfield opted to run the ball and Taylor’s anticipation was perfect as he intercepted and raced clear and Connolly converted.

As the second half started Jason Falls replaced Craig Charlton who was forced out of the game with a shoulder injury. Six minutes into the half Mansfield reclaimed the lead Robinson chipped in behind the defence. The bobbling ball evaded the defenders and Simmons dived on the ball to score. They extended the lead to 17-7 with the simplest of tries ten minutes later. From a scrum on the Elks’ twenty two Blythe attacked the short side and put Storey into space to claim his second try.

A facial injury meant Quinn was forced to retire to be replaced by debutant Toby Fenn and an ankle injury saw Dan Mahoney leave the field. Bryn Vernon moved to the wing and Paul Shoebridge came on in the second row.
The Elks quickened the pace and chased the score. Their desire to spread the ball wide brought the best out of Mansfield’s defence but their desperation forced them to concede a penalty which Connolly converted to bring the score to 17-10 with four minutes of normal time left.

From the restart Taylor broke from deep inside his own half and quick passing from Cook put Ben Newton away. He outstripped the covering defence to score in the corner. A conversion would have earned a deserved draw but Connolly’s kick from wide out drifted inches wide to leave Mansfield with the spoils.