Several regular key players were missing, giving opportunities to Tom Holland returning to the Elks, Simon Bennett thankfully back after long term injury, Jack Partington at 10 & Kartar Soar on the flank.

Newark kicked off up the slope and the Elks began brightly with G Taylor making a smart break, Newark were penalised at the breakdown and the Elks kicked to touch. Jake Smithurst took a clean catch and another attack was launched where Newark were caught off side, giving an easy shot at goal for Joel Haigh to get our first points on the board after 3 minutes, 3-0.

Elks attacked again from the kick off but knocked on. We were strong at the scrum and pushed Newark back but they still came away with the ball and broke through the midfield, where the ball was recycled and Newark got the first try on 8 minutes, conversion missed to leave the score 3-5.

The Elks line out was not functioning well and too many balls were going straight over the back of the line out. Newark stole another poor Elks line out but knocked it on. From the ensuing scrum Elks were penalised for feeding and Newark cleared to touch, they took a clean catch from the line out and Elks were caught off side, the penalty was kicked after 14 minutes extending Newark’s lead to 3-8.

Elks were struggling for any continuity and tactically were very naïve, trying to run ball which should really have been kicked deep using the slope advantage.

Newark continued to play well and only good defence from Haigh prevented a good scoring opportunity. Newark were caught offside and this allowed the Elks to clear. Ilkeston then attacked through Matt McGuire and G Taylor and forced their way deep into the Newark 22m. The ball was moved right and following a good drive from Chris Tipton, Adam Corcoran was on hand to force his way over on 19 minutes, converted by Haigh to give Elks the lead at 10-8.

Elks had a good period of possession but still tried to run from their own half making mistakes and giving up the ball. Newark came back well up the hill and were running onto the ball at pace. Elks were dominant in the scrum but Newark were still looking after the ball well, they attacked left and chipped ahead recovering the ball well and scoring on 38 minutes - conversion missed, making the score 10-13.

Elks had the final attack of the half but were penalised for going off their feet at the breakdown, this allowed Newark to clear and bring half time with Newark leading 10-13. Jacob Heath replaced Hugh Smith.

Elks began the second half brightly with first G Taylor and the L Taylor running well. Elks were now in the Newark 22m with Heath in possession, good support by McGuire kept the ball alive and when Newark were penalised the Elks kicked to touch but the line out went long and another chance went begging. Elks were still dominating the scrum but somehow Newark did well to retain possession. Newark’s tactical game was better than the Elks with the ball being kicked deep into the home sides half. The Elks counter attacked and a kick ahead was turned over by G Taylor to recover the ball, Newark were caught offside and Elks kicked into the 22m. The Elks won the line out and moved the ball left, with good work from McGuire recycling the ball, it was moved left again but Newark anticipated the pass and intercepted the ball and sprinted clear to score under the posts on 58 minutes, the kick converted to make it 10-20. This was a hammer blow for the Elks who had started to look better in the second half.

Elks attacked from the kick off but knocked on and Newark countered, great work from McGuire turned the ball over but it was wasted and came to nothing. The game was now littered with mistakes as Elks played catch up rugby and both sides tired although Newark looked to have the edge on fitness. Elks came again and following a good line out from Smithurst, they attacked from deep. Newark were penalised for holding onto the ball in the tackle and the Elks tapped quickly, only to knock on soon after. Newark cleared from the scrum and stole the ball back, driving well in midfield. Newark attacked left and Elks were caught offside in midfield. The shot at goal was good extending Newark’s lead to 10-23 after 71 minutes.

The Elks attacked through Haigh and Newark were penalised. Alex Ayres took a quick tap and the ball was recycled quickly and moved to G Taylor to score after 73 minutes, conversion missed making it 15-23.

Newark came back well and Elks were caught offside, they kicked to touch and won the line out but good work from G Taylor and McGuire turned the ball over. Elks went quickly but were penalised for holding on, back chat cost them another 10 metres and Newark went for goal, the kick falling short on 78 minutes.

Haigh went off injured to be replaced by Smith.

The Elks tried in vain for the losing bonus point but Newark held firm and kicked dead to bring full time 15-23. Newark thoroughly deserved their victory playing with more hunger and tactically much better. The Elks will be bitterly disappointed with the way they lost and at times looked short of ideas - the line out will certainly require work in the following week.

Man of the Match goes to McGuire for his work rate and ball carrying for 80 minutes.

A much improved performance will be required next week as we travel to Old Northamptonians who are traditionally very strong at home.

Finishing on good news the injury to Jonathan Falls was a badly bruised abdominal wall and thankfully not something more serious, so he should make a full recovery for his wedding night!