ELKS CONTINUE GOOD START TO SEASON

Classic Drinks Man of the Match – Joel Haigh

With the bonfire weekend drawing to a close, were we about to see some final fireworks on the field between the two teams that were separated in the league by only five points? Ilkeston were starting with several key players returning to the line up including Greg Taylor, Alan Cook and Adam Stoker. It was also a first appearance for new scrum half Joel Haigh recently signed from Manchester and strong Elks’ line up set the scene for a tantalising match that did not disappoint.

The Elks got off to a good start with both teams moving the ball at good pace creating the beginnings of an entertaining game. They immediately had the visitors under pressure with Mat McGuire and Adam Corcoran both working hard to get forward. Corcoran made light of a tackle and fed the ball to centre Scott Rudkin who crashed over the line with the conversion completed by JJ Connolly giving the home team a 7-0 lead after ten minutes.

Going behind on the scoreboard resulted in Newark stepping up a gear, working a little harder and gaining a penalty in front of the posts. Luckily for the Elks, Newark were unsuccessful in their attempt to get on the score sheet. This luck didn’t last long though as, just a few minutes later, a wayward kick by Dan Taylor was picked up by Newark deep in their half, they pressed forward and Buddha managed to outpace the Elks’ defence to score in the corner. The conversion, however, was missed leaving the score at 7-5. The first half continued to engage and excite and with McGuire earning a penalty in the twenty sixth minute, Connolly converted from twenty two metres taking the score to 10-5. However, Newark were determined to fight back prompting Cook to make a try saving tackle on some fourteen metres from the line. The Elks’ forwards then put in some good work followed by a box kick from Haigh putting the home team in a good position but they failed to capitalise on the chance. Newark then pressed again but missed a second penalty in front of the posts just before the break, leaving the score at 10-5 after an entertaining first half.

After the break play became a little scrappy with both sides making handling errors with much spilling of the ball. The Elks decided to change things with the addition of fresh legs as Jason Falls replaced Marc Moore at hooker. This seemed to be what was required to give the team a lift as this was followed by a scintillating run from Greg Taylor who moved the ball on to Rich Burne but the Newark defence shepherded him into touch. Nevertheless, classic attacking rugby continued to flow from the Elks with Dan Taylor taking advantage of a poor Newark clearance, Taylor moved the ball on to Dan Mahoney while Burne stepped back inside to take the return pass and immediately feed Greg Taylor who crashed over. The conversion was successfully executed by Connolly, taking the score to a well-deserved 17-5 just ten minutes into the second half.

The first yellow card of the game soon followed, going to the Newark second row Mather who was sin binned for persistent infringement at the breakdown. The Elks took advantage of the numerical advantage and Haigh’s clever box kick created a chance but it went begging as the ball was knocked on. Newark were only at a disadvantage for five minutes though with Dan Taylor acquiring the second yellow of the game for playing the ball on the floor in a ruck bringing both teams level with fourteen men each. Both lineouts were functioning well with the visitors just having the edge in the driving maul. Just before Newark returned to full strength Greg Taylor made a try saving tackle out wide denying Buddha his second try. With the visitors back to fifteen men and the numerical advantage for five minutes the Elks were determined to protect their lead and did so successfully with a well defended five-metre line out.

The Elks continued to play good rugby with Mahoney pushing the ball back into the Newark half and Greg Taylor, Burne and Rudkin combining to create good positions. Skipper Burne had a try disallowed after Haigh, who supplied the final flipped pass, was spotted with his foot in touch. Another chance to further enhance the lead was then missed by Connolly who, from a solid Elks scrum, sent a snap drop goal attempt just inches wide. Another replacement was then made for the home team with Rudkin coming off and Ben Newton going on for what would be his final appearance in an Ilkeston shirt as he is leaving the team due to relocating to Leeds. This tactical change in the seventy second minute saw the side rearranged with Dan Taylor moving into the centre, his brother Greg changing to full back and Newton taking his place on the wing. The final rearrangement came three minutes later when Burne was replaced at No.8 by Simon Bennett.

Failing to capitalise on a five metre scrum the Elks struck back when Greg Taylor launched a counter attack from a poor Newark clearance, the ball was taken on by Corcoran and good hands by Cook sent Mahoney into the corner for what was, in the final minutes, sure to be a match killing try, the resulting conversion was missed by Connolly from wide out leaving what was to be the final score at 22-5.

The Elks played out the game with a flurry and a hint of Barbarian rugby showing deft hands, managing to maintain the high speed and good skills until the final whistle. Overall, the game was generally good spirited with perhaps just a hint of petulance from both teams as they struggled to come to terms with some of the refereeing decisions.

Match report by Rochelle O’Dwyer.