Elks gain bonus point win.

The game was preceded by a remembrance service to remember those from Hallam Fields who died serving their country.

Elks started with a new half back pairing as Jack Partington played scrum half and Dan Taylor played fly half on his return to the team. The Elks kicked off going uphill and the opening exchanges were very even with both sides making mistakes and struggling for continuity.

Kettering were first to score when after making good ground in midfield their centre charged through to score under the posts, converted to make it 0-7 after 22 minutes.

Elks responded well and finally linked some phases together, a nice break by Dan Taylor was continued by Tom Holland and Lewis Taylor was then involved before offloading to Adam Corcoran to score wide on the right after 26 minutes. Conversion missed making it 5-7.

Elks were starting to see more of the ball and the pack were putting pressure on the Kettering scrum, Greg and Dan Taylor linked well and took play into the Kettering half where the ball was recycled quickly and moved right to find Jake Heath in space who finished the move off to score in the corner after 34 minutes, unconverted to make it 10-7.

No further scores were registered before half time making it 10-7.

Elks now had the slope and were looking to pin Kettering in their own half, again both teams lacked consistency and poor kicking and decision making led to a scrappy period of play. Elks first real quality of the second half saw the forwards drive well and release the ball to Greg Taylor who made an incisive run into the Kettering 22. Kettering were forced into conceding a penalty and the ball was kicked to touch and Nick Gray took another clean line out catch to set up the forward drive towards the line. The ball was held up and Elks had a 5 metre scrum after which the forwards took the ball on again and with the defence stretched Dan Taylor spotted a gap to score on 58 minutes, converted by Partington to make it 17-7.

Kettering were starting to concede penalties as the Elks pack took charge and with Gray dominating the line out they were seeing plenty of possession, a drop goal attempt from Dan Taylor fell short on 65 minutes but the Elks were still in control.

Several chances went begging as some loose passes were thrown. Another attack was halted by a high tackle and the Elks kicked to touch where Gray again took the catch and the forwards drove towards the line, the ball was stolen by Kettering but they were forced behind their own line and the ball came loose when Ben Wells was first to react and scored on 70 minutes making it 22-7.

Elks dominated the remaining 10 minutes but could not quite find that final pass to create more scores. Full Time 22-7

Despite several positional changes the Elks did more than enough to win and earn a bonus point win. Greg Taylor again played well along with Nick Gray who was superb in the line out but Man of the Match goes to Adam Corcoran who was strong carrying the ball and broke up many Kettering attacks with some great steals.

No game next week as we get the chance to see England beat New Zealand!

Next league fixture Nov 23rd away at Mansfield