ELKS SLIDE TO ANOTHER DEFEAT

Classic Drinks Man of the Match - Alan Cook.

The Elks suffered another defeat on the road and their fourth league loss in succession when they visited local rivals Paviors. Having recorded a home victory against Paviors earlier in the season hopes were high but the lengthening injury list and poor away form made an upset unlikely.

Missing the influence of Greg Taylor, Adam Stoker, Steve Quinn, Adam Corcoran and Lewis Taylor the Elks resources were stretched to the limits and it was no surprise that the side lacked cohesion and times looked disjointed.

With the game starting in a downpour the Elks had first use of the slope and stiff breeze. The conditions made handling difficult but to the credit of both sides the ball was generally kept in hand and the game played at a high tempo. When ball was put to boot the home side always had more options with all their back line finding space or safety when required. The visitors did not enjoy such a variety of options and were severely punished by some wayward kicking and poor chasing.

However, the Elks could have taken the lead on two minutes when Joel Haigh took a quick tap penalty on half way allowing Rich Burne, Dan Taylor and Scott Rudkin to take play into the Paviors twenty two and earn a shot at goal for offside but Andy Thompson pulled his attempt wide. Unperturbed they continued to press and a clever break from Alan Cook sent Mat McGuire on the charge but the ball was lost in the tackle and the chance gone.

Paviors were now coming more into the game and a poor clearance kick from the Elks, combined with the lack of a chase to pressurise the fielders, allowed them to attack from deep and earn a penalty inside the visitors half. The ball was drilled into the corner and from the lineout the home side rumbled the ball over to take a 5-0 lead after ten minutes.

Despite the monsoon like conditions both sides appeared determined to run the ball and play switched from end to end with both defences being called to make some last ditch tackles. On twenty minutes Paviors extended their lead when a simple penalty was awarded in front of the posts. Four minutes later they stretched their lead to 11-0 when further Elks’ indiscretion was penalised by referee Fisher. The Elks were again suffering from a heavy penalty count as all too often promising situations were being lost due to transgression. However, they were securing a decent amount of first phase ball with the lineout operating well through Bryn Vernon, Paul Shoebridge and Burne whilst the front row of McGuire, Marc Moore and Tom Holland proved a match for their opposite numbers. However, the regular supply of good ball was not put to best use.

The home side demonstrated how to make the most of possession when from a scrum five they quickly moved the ball and found a gap in midfield to score close to the posts. The conversion made it 18-0 three minutes before the break.

The second half told much the same story but the game was effectively over for the Elks when eight minutes into the half the referee saw fit to issue two red cards, one to each side following a minor scuffle. It had been a very physical but generally good natured game and the crowd were left bemused by the decision. The seriousness of the incident could be judged by the fact that the miscreants left the pitch chatting amicably like two old friends.

The reduction in numbers was dealt with far better by Paviors who showed a far greater hunger at ruck and maul and gradually strangled the life out of the visitors. Despite good efforts by Cook, Ellis Hallam and Dan Mahoney to set a rhythm Paviors always managed to find tacklers to spare. Rory Maddocks and Toby Fenn worked manfully to complete at the breakdown but were generally outnumbered and, like Canute, were fighting a losing battle against the tide.

The introduction of Jason Falls, Ben Marshall and Simon Bennett for Holland, Mahoney and Vernon brought fresh legs to the fray but the tide could not be turned. The home side scored a further three tries, two coming from poor tactical kicking and lack of a chase whilst the third came an interception when a despairing Elks looked to move the ball from inside their own twenty two leaving them 33-0 at the final whistle.