Elks Go Down At Mansfield

Elks made a bright start as Lewis Taylor was soon involved and made 20 metres where Mansfield were caught offside and Elks kicked to touch. Nick Gray took a clean catch and the ball was moved right, good hands from Greg Taylor put brother Dan Taylor into space and he burst through to give Elks the perfect start after 7 mins, Jack Partington converted to make it 0-7

Mansfield responded immediately and following some strong drives, recycled the ball and found space out on the left where they had an overlap on the wing and ran around to score on 10 mins, converted to level the scores at 7-7.

The Elks line out was working well with Nick Gray and Reuben Elley catching well. Lewis Taylor was again involved in the next break through, kicking into the Mansfield 22, a promising chance was lost when Elks were penalised allowing Mansfield to clear.

Mansfield then had a really good spell with backs and forwards keeping possession well, they created another overlap and good support play saw them score another try, again converted to make it 14-7 after 28 mins.

Elks were beginning to concede too many penalties and Mansfield opted for a kick from one penalty and were successful to make it 17-7 after 34 mins.

Elks responded well and took play into the Mansfield 22 where Partington struck a penalty cleanly to reduce the deficit to 17-10 on 39 mins. The Elks had another shot at goal before half time but this time the kick fell short making it 17-10 at the break.

Elks kicked off the second half but the ball did not go 10 metres handing the momentum back to Mansfield, they kept the ball well in the forwards and from a line out drove over the line to score after 47 mins, unconverted to make it 22-10

Mansfield were now getting the upper hand and beginning to dominate the game, Gray was still working well in the line out but the possession was being wasted with some loose kicking and poor options.

Mansfield kept attacking and following several good drives recycled the ball and found space on the right to score on 63 mins, the conversion from wide right was missed but the lead was now 27-10. Dan Taylor was replaced by Jack Wilkinson and Tom Holland replaced by Ben Wells.

Elks looked short on confidence as Mansfield came straight back through the forwards, the ball being recycled quickly and they scored again on 68 mins, unconverted to make it 32-10

Elks tried to get back into the game but Mansfield’s aggressive defence stood firm, Mansfield were then reduced to 14 men when the hooker was yellow carded. Elks took full advantage of the extra man as Isaac Taylor made 30 metres, the ball was recycled quickly and Greg Taylor scored on 78 mins, converted to make it 32-17 at full time.

There were some positives out the game as the scrummage and line out both worked well, Mansfield were more aggressive on the day and with so many players out of position it was hard to get any real continuity. Greg and Dan Taylor both worked hard and Nick Gray shone in the line out, but this week’s Man of the Match goes to Lewis Taylor who never missed a tackle and attacked well with limited chances.

Next week sees the visit of Market Rasen who seem to be on a good run at present, let’s get along to support the Elks and also enjoy the winter beer festival which is on at the Stute on Nov 29th & 30th.