Poor performance ends in heavy defeat at Market Rasen

However, this wasn’t transferred to the pitch as a very flat performance ended in an easy victory for Market Rasen 47-18.

Market Rasen made much the brighter start and spotted a gap down the Elks blindside, theNo8 made 20 metres before offloading to the winger for the first score, converted to make it 7-0 after 2 mins.

Elks responded well and were soon in the Rasen 22, Jake Smithurst took clean line out ball and the backs were released, the move faltered but Rasen were offside in front of the posts, Joel Haigh slotted the kick to make it 7-3 after 10 mins.

Elks knocked on from the kick off which was a problem all game, Rasen took advantage and moved forward, Elks were penalised and Rasen kicked to the corner, the line out was taken clean and Rasens trademark catch and drive worked well as they forced their way over after 13 mins, conversion missed making it 12-3.

Elks were penalised soon after the restart and Rasen again took advantage, they kicked for touch, took the line out and moved the ball left, they broke through in the centres and scored under the posts, converted to make it 19-3 after 19 mins.

Elks kicked deep from the kick off and chased well forcing a penalty from Rasen, Haigh narrowly missed the kick on 22 mins.

Elks had their best spell of the half but numerous penalties were being conceded allowing Rasen to clear and counter attack. Elks finally took advantage of a Rasen mistake when they counter attacked from a knock on, they were forced into touch but from the line out good defence forced the scrum half to concede a 5 metre scrum. This was controlled well and driven over with Adam Corcoran getting the touch down, conversion missed 19-8 after 36 mins.

Elks again failed to gather the kick off and Rasen were on the front foot again, they appeared to knock on but play continued and their blindside crashed over near the posts, converted to make it 26-8 at half time.

The Elks needed to start well and they did, first Rasen knocked on and Elks attacked, Rasen were caught off side and Haigh took a quick tap and the ball was moved right for Isaac Taylor to finish off strongly, conversion missed making it 26-13 after 45 mins.

Further restart problems allowed Rasen to regain possession and Elks were penalised, Rasen kicked to the corner for a line out, the ball was knocked on and Elks cleared to touch, this time Rasen won clean ball and moved left before kicking ahead, they won the race for the touchdown and scored again after 49 mins, conversion added to make it 33-13.

Penalties were mounting on both sides and following another Rasen infringement their centre was sin binned on 53 mins.

Elks were seeing plenty of possession but ill-discipline was still costing them dearly, this was compounded when Smithurst was sin binned on 66 mins for a high tackle.

Rasen quickly made Elks pay as now they were back to 15 players they moved the ball left and created an overlap to run in and score after 68 mins, converted to make it 40-13.

Paul Shoebridge and Tom Holland were replaced by Jack Wilkinson and Gordon Pringle respectively.

Elks bad day continued as they knocked on again from the kick off and Rasen made 60 metres, only a great tackle from Jono Falls prevented another score, Elks line out was stolen by Rasen and their scrum half darted over to score after 69 mins, conversion added to make it 47-13.

Elks did manage to have the final score in the match when following a not straight Rasen line out they used the scrum ball quickly and move the ball right, it was quickly recycled and Jake Lamb came round on the loop to create an overlap and score in the corner, conversion missed making the final score 47-18.

This goes down as one of the poorest performances of the season as although Market Rasen fully deserved their victory the Elks helped them out big time with the kicks offs awful and far too many penalties conceded.

Next week sees the final home game of the season against local rivals Matlock, they are trying to avoid relegation so will be well up for the battle, Elks will need to regroup in the week and come back strong.