Elks lack lustre display ends in defeat

Elks kicked off with a slight slope advantage and were soon in the Kettering 22m but from a line out the ball was knocked on which was to be the pattern of most of the Elks play.

Kettering’s first visit into the Elks 22m resulted in a penalty from the visitors and Kettering’s impressive full-back slotted the early score making it 3-0.

Elks responded well and were soon on the attack but yet another knock on gave back possession to Kettering. From a Kettering line out the hosts scrum half broke down the blind side and took play into the Elks half, Elks line was working well with Nick Gray taking several clean catches.

Elks kicked poorly out of defence and the |Kettering full back took a clean catch and chipped ahead, he ran through and collected the ball unchallenged and sprinted clear to score, converting his own try to make it 10-0 after 30 mins.

Kettering were starting to get the upper hand and having the lion’s share of possession and territory, Elks were caught offside and Kettering added the penalty kick to go clear at 13-0 after 35 mins.

Elks attacked in midfield but poor handling turned over possession again, Kettering counter attacked and good handling saw them score again after 37 mins, converted to make it 20-0.

Elks did manage to have the last say before half time, Chris Tipton stole an opposition line out and the ball was move quickly left to find Tom Pottinger in space on the left wing and he ran in unopposed, Joel Haigh converted very well from the touch line to make it 20-7 at half time.

Elks made a good start to the second half and were soon in the opposition 22, Kettering were penalised and Haigh slotted the penalty to reduce the deficit to 20-10 after 43 mins.

The Elks were having plenty of possession but far too many errors disrupted any continuity, Elks were penalised at the next breakdown but Kettering missed the penalty on 49 mins.

Elks made several changes with Jake Heath and Marc Moore replaced by Jack Partington & a first team debut for promising Colt, Toby Keep.

Matt Watkins was replaced by Marc Moore and the Elks scrum improved with the changes in personnel. Knock on’s were still a regular occurrence in the Elks play and most attacks petered out because of this.

Dan Taylor and Nick Gray came off, replaced by Simon Bennett & Jake Heath, Elks were trying desperately to get back in the game and were running from deep in their own 22 to get a losing bonus point, Elks were penalised for holding on but Kettering missed the shot at goal on 77 mins.

Kettering were still in the Elks 22 and from a scrum the No8 broke well and the full back timed his run perfectly to sprint through and score after 78 mins, conversion missed. No further scores were registered making it 25-10 at the final whistle.