ONs Blown Away

From the start the Elks scrum was dominant and this continued for the whole game, forcing ONs to operate with scrappy ball.

Elks hosted ONs on a cold blustery day and simply blew their opponents away with their best performance of the season running out 32-3 winners.
ONs were penalised at their own scrum and the Elks kicked to touch, the ball was cleanly caught and the pack drove their way over after 15 mins with Adam Corcoran getting the touchdown, this was well converted by Jono Falls in the tricky wind to give the Elks a 7-0 lead. Falls was injured shortly after and replaced by Hugh Smith.

ONs had their first visit into the Elks 22 but the ball was turned over and Greg Taylor cleared, ONs quickly got back into the 22 and Elks were penalised, they opted for the kick which was successful cutting the lead to 7-3.

Elks responded well and were soon back on the attack, the ball was moved right and quickly recycled, good handling in the backs created a 2 v 1 and Lewis Taylor was put through to score after 34 mins, conversion missed making it 12-3.

Elks were soon back on the attack with G Taylor kicking well tactically and forcing ONs back , the follow up chasing was good putting huge pressure on the visitors. ONs cleared to the 22 but following great work by Matt Watkins, Marc Moore and Corcoran the ball was moved left to Alex Ayres who fed G Taylor to score in the left corner after 38 mins, conversion missed but the lead was stretched to 17-3.

Watkins was replaced by Kartar Soar at halftime.

ONs now had the slope and were soon on the attack, they were penalised at the breakdown and the blindside flanker was yellow carded which appeared somewhat harsh, Elks then took full advantage of the extra man and scored through G Taylor on 46 mins and Isaac Taylor on 48 mins, both conversions missed but the lead was now 27-3.

Credit to ONs as knowing the game was probably lost they tried to battle their way back into the game, Elks defence was strong and with the scrum still dominant ONs were starved of any real quality possession.

Elks played their way into the ONs 22 with some strong forward drives and Corcoran finished things off to score after 57 mins, conversion missed making it 32-3. Tom Holland replaced by Ben Wells.

Watkins replaced G Taylor who came off with a nasty blow to the face.

Elks still had the majority of territory and possession but were not as slick with the passing as the first 60 mins, the cause was not helped when Stephen Fowkes was yellow carded on 67 mins, ONs tried in vain to get something from the game as it entered the final minutes but Elks defence stood firm, Final Score 32-3.

This was the Elks best performance of the season so far as forwards dominated and the backs finished things off, the quality of rugby at times was back to the levels of last season and the mistakes of recent weeks were few and far between, credit to the lads for battling through some of the tougher weeks and coming up with a great display. The performances of all players was good so it was very hard to pick a Man of the Match, Isaac Taylor got the nod on this occasion but it could have gone to most of the team.

Next week sees a visit to Derby for a Derbyshire Cup match, let’s hope to go into Christmas with another win.