Elks complete double over Paviors.

Despite the heavy rain the pitch stood up well and allowed the Elks to play a wide running game supported well by the pack.

Pavs started well and had decent possession and territory, they concentrated on using the forwards from line outs but the Elks defence was strong and play was mainly around the half way line.

Elks first spell of possession resulted in quick ball for the backs, the ball was moved right and then left and Adam Corcoran time his pass nicely to put Tom Pottinger one on one with his defender, he showed good footwork to round his man and score in the left corner after 10 mins, converted well by Joel Haigh to make it 0-7.

Pavs came back strong from the kick off and soon had a penalty shot to reduce the lead, the kick was sliced right and allowed Elks to clear. Nick Gray then stole a Pavs line out and Jake Heath cleared long into the Pavs 22.

Pavs cleared to half way but the Elks counter attacked with Pottinger making good ground on the left, quick hand put Greg Taylor into space and he timed his pass well to put Corcoran in to score under the posts after 28 mins, again converted by Haigh to make it 0-14.

Pavs launched an attack from the kick off but good defence forced a knock on, Heath then counter attacked and with support from Haigh, Pottinger and Corcoran the ball eventually fell to Isaac Taylor to complete a great score in the right hand corner. This time Haigh’s conversion fell short but the lead was stretched to 0-19 after 32 mins.

Gray was starting to dominate the line out and with superb service from scrum half Haigh the backs were looking dangerous whenever they had good ball.

Pavs did have a decent spell before half time but following an Elks penalty their kick to touch came to nothing as they were penalised for blocking at the line out. Half Time 0-19.

Ben Wells replaced new father Tom Holland at half time.

Elks started the second half well and were soon on the attack, play was held up for a bad injury to Lewis Taylor on 47 mins, unfortunately this turned out to be a broken ankle and we wish him a speedy recovery.

Jack Partington replaced the unlucky Lewis Taylor.

Pavs tight head was penalised for collapsing the scrum and Elks kicked to touch, the line out was lost but the ball was recovered by the forwards and moved left, good hands from Gray and Wells put Greg Taylor into space, he side stepped the defence to score under the posts after 56 mins, Haigh added the extras to make it 0-26. Jack Wilkinson came on for Nick Gray.

Pavs were trying hard to get back into the game but Elks defence was strong denying any real ground. Elks forced a turnover in midfield and Haigh fed Alex Ayres who made a great break into the Pavs 22, Pavs were penalised and Elks kicked to touch, the ball was won and moved left to Greg Taylor, he slipped 2 would be tacklers and sprinted clear to score under the posts after 66 mins, converted by Haigh to make it 0-33.

The Elks seemed to take their foot of the gas after this score but credit also to Pavs who kept going despite the deficit. Elks gave several penalties away and the referee lost patience and yellow carded Jack Wilkinson after 69 mins.

Pavs took full advantage of the extra man and scored tries on 71 and 74 mins with one being converted, making the final score 12-33. This was a great start to 2014 with some excellent rugby being played despite the wet conditions, the set piece worked well and the backs looked dangerous every time they had good ball, next week sees a home game against bottom of the table Peterborough, 2.15 kick off.

There were several very good performances with Gray in the line out and Elley and Corky on the back row, Pottinger, Heath and Ayres ran strong and Haigh’s service was excellent but Man of the Match was Greg Taylor who posed a threat every time he had ball in hand.