Elks Secure 5 Points with Victory at Coalville

For much of the first 40 minutes the rugby matched the weather at Coalville on Saturday…dank and miserable!

Two well drilled sides played through the phases and largely negated one another. Ilkeston had the majority of possession but the home side aided by a stiff breeze at their backs dominated territory so little surprise that it was all square at the half way mark.

The half was sandwiched by two tries…one for each side. The visitors, enjoying a rare sortie into their hosts 22, created space wide for Jacob Heath to skip past the defence to score after some good work by the pack to set the opportunity up.

Either side of this score after 10 minutes the home side missed penalty kicks and Ben Wells was replaced by Ryan Mills after about half an hour…there was little else to report or of cheer for the sodden support until on the stroke of half time the Elks’ continued tendency to infringe at the breakdown finally cost them as Coalville spurning a kickable penalty, went for touch in the corner and a classic catch and drive from the resulting line out witnessed them draw level.

Early into the second half the pattern for the forthcoming 40 minutes was set as a Coalville scrum was turned over and, making good use of the now favourable wind, Ilkeston found touch deep inside the home side 22. After securing possession from the resulting line out the ball was moved wide to Hugh Smith who worked hard to cross the line only for the referee to deem the ball knocked on after being grounded short…photographic evidence now shows the decision to have been wrong denying Ilkeston the lead.

As well as gaining a foothold at set pieces The Elks were also beginning to punch holes in the Coalville defence and one such break from Steve Fowkes saw Greg Taylor hauled back as he bore down on Joel Haigh’s chip over the defence. The resulting Penalty success, compliments of Jono Falls, took Ilkeston into the lead and left the home side a player light.

Simon Bennett, relegated to the bench after sustaining an injury during the warm up, replaced Jake Smithurst at the restart. Bennett must have recovered well as he proceeded to put in a man of the match performance that drove his side to victory.

Less than 5 minutes later and Ilkeston’s growing dominance and confidence was again rewarded. Further smart use of the tactical kick witnessed another line out turnover from Nick Gray and the pack drove towards the Coalville line. Good retention saw Ryan Mills receive the ball at pace to crash over for a try from close range. Falls converted and at 15 – 5 the visitors were clear.

Two further tries followed which were almost mirror images of one another.

A second yellow card penalised the home side as a rangy clearance kick by Haigh, under pressure, was rewarded by the latest of challenges. The resulting penalty saw The Elks move from their 22 to the opposition 22 and Jake Lamb easily found touch. Having won so much Coalville line out ball Ilkeston found little difficulty in securing their own and the drive that followed met little resistance…the only surprise being that it was Bennett who touched down at the base rather than Adam Corcoran!

Jack Partington replaced Jake Lamb with around 10 minutes to play and Ilkeston extended their lead in this period. Yet again a kick deep into Coalville territory reaped reward. The home side winger was bundled into touch by a good chase and not for the first time turnover ball was won at the line out. Another catch, another drive, again little resistance…the only surprise being that it was Bennett who touched down at the base rather than Adam Corcoran!

Final score Coalville 5 Ilkeston 25.

A physical game and a hard won bonus point victory in ugly conditions gained as a result of The Elks pack prevailing over their counterparts who slowly surrendered their line and the points.

Derby at The Stute next Saturday!