ELKS DRAW BLANK AT SCUNTHORPE

Classic Drinks Man of the Match – Toby Fenn

After the high of the previous week’s performance against third placed Paviors the visit to table topping Scunthorpe provided the Elks with a reality check. This was the first league meeting between the sides as previously they had only faced one another in Cup games. Whilst the Elks were promoted to this level last season Scunthorpe were relegated from the next level up where they had competed for some time.

Scunthorpe’s intentions were clear from the start as they poured into the Elks’ half and forced a scrum. Showing a more determined approach to this phase of the game they shunted the Elk’s pack backwards indicating that the front row of Mat McGuire, Jason Falls and Tom Holland were in for a tough afternoon. However, the situation was rescued by No.8 Rich Burne who fed scrum-half Joel Haigh to find touch with his clearance. Not to be denied the home side continued to apply pressure and some poor tackling by the Elks allowed them to work their way back into the twenty two, force a lineout and then earn a scrum following a handling error. Another solid scrum from the home side allowed No.8 Garbutt to pick and drive his way over after eight minutes and impressive fly-half Wollard converted to leave the score 7-0.

From the restart the pressure on the Elks continued but as Scunthorpe forced their way into the Elks’ twenty two they infringed at a ruck. From a quick tap penalty flanker Adam Corcoran made good ground through midfield and across half way. Although ably supported by Bryn Locke the second row was held up in the tackle and the opportunity lost. Although they were struggling in the scrum the Elks’ lineout was operating smoothly where Adam Stoker, Locke and Burne were at least able to provide the visitors with possession. From one such set piece Scott Rudkin made good ground deep into Scunthorpe territory but again the ball was turned over in the contact zone.

Further pressure by the home side saw desperate defence from the Elks where a tap tackle by Lewis Taylor prevented the try and Locke was on hand to scavenge the loose ball. After twenty five minutes the Elks changed the front row and replaced Falls with Marc Moore at hooker. However, the pressure at the set piece was not relieved and a penalty for incorrect binding allowed Wollard to increase the lead to 10-0 after twenty seven minutes.

The Elks tried to force their way toward the home line through good yardage from Steve Quinn and McGuire but again the home defence held firm, turned over the ball and threatened to break out. A fine covering tackle by stand in winger Toby Fenn, followed by a swift steal of the ball allowed him to reverse the threat. However, Scunthorpe held firm and swiftly moved the ball downfield to draw the Elks defence offside and allow Wollard to stroke another penalty after thirty one minutes and move the score onto 13-0.

The constant pressure did not deter the Elks as they still tried to run the ball from deep and interplay from James Connolly, Rudkin, Dan Taylor and Dan Mahoney threatened but failed to penetrate the home defence. From one such play they were again penalised in the tackle zone for holding on and Wollard again proved his worth with the penalty edging the score to 16-0.

Scunthorpe continued to use the pick and drive from breakdowns with good effect and the tactic paid dividends in injury time as Neal forced his way over. Wollard again added the extra points to leave the half time score 23-0.

The second half proved equally as daunting for the Elks as they were forced to defend from the start. However, good work between Quinn and Fenn promised and as the ball was worked back across the field Mahoney almost broke clear but was halted by a suspiciously high looking tackle which went unpunished. Fifteen minutes into the second half Quinn was replaced by Simon Bennett due to a hand injury but the flanker had certainly given his best.

The use of the kicking game was reaping rich rewards for Scunthorpe as Wollard and Foster continually probed behind the Elks’ defence and forcing them to turn toward their own line. Fenn again proved his worth with a try saving tackle and steal close to his own line from which he made good ground to clear the danger. The Elks’ cause was not helped when McGuire was sent to the sin-bin after trying to clear a body, clearly lying on the wrong side of a ruck , in a manner deemed too vigorous.

From another clever probing kick the Elks were slow to move the ball from inside their twenty two, conceded a penalty at the breakdown and from the ensuing lineout Scunthorpe drove hooker Mist over the line from which Wollard again converted to leave the score 30-0. Seven minutes later they rumbled the ball over the Elks’ line again for the final score as Garbutt grabbed a try from a five metre scrum. The Elks made their final change as Hugh Smith replaced Mahoney on the wing and they had their last chances through Dan Taylor and Fenn but failed to set the scoreboard ticking.

Match report by Rochelle O’Dwyer.