ELKS WIN ON RETURN TO ACTION

Classic Drinks Man of the Match – Scott Rudkin

The long freeze at last came to an end and the Elks were able to participate in a game for the first time in five weeks. The long lay off was evident as both sides struggled to find any rhythm and the game was regularly interrupted by physios administering to bumps, bruises and cramp. With training restricted to the gym during the inactive period both sides looked ring rusty and the game only came alight in short bursts during the eighty minutes.

The Elks were able to field, long term injuries aside, a near full strength side with the rest allowing a number of players the opportunity to recover from injury. The game also witnessed a rare club event when Lewis Taylor joined brothers Dan and Greg to make it the first time in thirty years that three brothers have played in the Elks’ first team, the last being the Jones brothers Martin, Robyn and Kevin in the late 1970’s.

On a bitterly cold day with a slippery and muddy surface flowing rugby was going to be a problem to produce. To their credit both sides tried to play an expansive game and succeeded to a degree with six tries being scored, two to the home side but four to the visitors. Early exchanges indicated that the visitors would rediscover winning ways with Adam Stoker and Bryn Vernon dominating the lineout and the rolling maul used to tie in the opposition forwards. From a Stoker lineout take Alan Cook, Dan Taylor and Dan Mahoney combined to create a chance but the final ball went to ground. The Elks continued to press but the first time they were called upon to defend a comedy of errors gifted the home side a try. A speculative kick was allowed to bounce amid a hoard of visiting defenders before Wellingborough’s left winger hacked on and dived on the ball to score. The conversion left the Elks trailing 7-0 with fourteen minutes on the clock.

The Elks should have reduced the arrears when a wayward Wellingborough clearance was fielded by Mahoney and the ball moved infield. Vernon, Greg Taylor and brother Dan took play inside the Wellingborough twenty two but the final pass failed to go to hand and the chance lost. On twenty one minutes they did level the scores after another wayward clearance was fielded by Andrew Chapman who moved the ball to Greg Taylor. His searing break from deep inside his own half moved play close to the Wellingborough line and, as the defence closed, he kept his composure and fed Adam Corcoran who touched down. Andy Thompson converted to register his first points for the club having recently joined from Loughborough University. Thompson’s goal kicking, ball distribution and general work rate indicates that the will easily settle into the gap created by the departure of JJ Connolly, who has taken a six month sabbatical to travel the world.

The remainder of the half was relatively uneventful until the final stages when, with a minute of normal time left, Wellingborough regained the lead with a forty metre penalty to make it 10-7. However, the visitors had the final say of the half when first Thompson opted to move a kickable penalty from in front of the posts. The ball was driven forward and Steve Quinn, Toby Fenn and Jason Falls combined to feed Scott Rudkin whose long pass enabled Greg Taylor to slide into the corner and nudge themselves in front at 10-12. With three minutes of injury time already played the Elks extended their lead further to 10-19 when, from a Vernon lineout take on half way the ball was moved infield. Cook’s grubber kick in behind the defence was hacked on by Dan Taylor and Vernon reappeared to win the race and touch down with Thompson adding the conversion.

With barely ten minutes of the second half gone the Elks looked to have the game secured with a fourth try. Having earned a five metre scrum the front row of Mat McGuire, Marc Moore and Jason Falls provided a solid platform, secured the ball and shunted the Wellingborough pack backwards. Corcoran broke from the base and fed Rudkin on the angle who crashed over. Thompson again converted moving the score on to 10-26.

If the visitors expected the home side to capitulate they were mistaken as Wellingborough doubled their efforts and strove to save the game. Fresh legs were introduced when Lewis Taylor replaced Thompson and joined his brothers whilst Tom Holland was given the opportunity to test his fitness when he replaced Jason Falls. Twenty three minutes into the half the home side got themselves back into the game when the Elks failed to defend the short side of a breakdown and the home winger used the space to sprint clear from half-way and record his second try with the conversion bringing the score to 17-26.

The final twenty minutes saw Wellingborough search in vain to close the gap but resolute defence and a desire to keep the points denied them. The industry of the Elks back row, with Fenn outstanding, continued to be the difference between the sides. Quinn’s driving play, Corcoran’s ability to provide the link and Fenn’s stealing of the ball in the tackle ensured that Wellingborough were forced to live off scraps and constantly under pressure when they did have possession.

As the half wore on the Elks should have increased their lead when Lewis Taylor opted to move the ball from deep inside his own twenty two. The move flowed the length of the field, with forwards and backs combining, only to be denied close to the home line by an infringement at a ruck.

The lay off was evident but the Elks will be pleased to be back in action and showed glimpses of the abilities which have kept them in the top half of the table all season.

Next week sees the Elks on the road again at the Leighton Buzzard k.o. 14:15

Match Report – Rochelle O’Dwyer