Elks leave it late……very late!

Despite being behind for just about all the game 3 tries in the last nine minutes helped stage a remarkable comeback to steal the points

Elks began the match with no pre-season games and it showed in some very rusty early play. There were debuts for Tom Southall & Dan Hyams

Jono Falls had an early shot at goal following a high tackle but it missed left after 3 mins.

Following another high tackle this time from the Elks, Market Rasen kicked the goal to get an early lead 3-0 after 9 mins.

It was all Rasen as they pressed the Elks and forced mistakes, from a penalty they kicked to the corner and caught the line out and drove forward, Tom Southall was penalised for side entry and yellow carded on 16 mins.

Rasen took full advantage of the extra man and opted for the scrum, this was driven over the Elks line on 18 mins to stretch the lead to 8-0.

Reuben Elley replaced Toby Keep after 19 mins.

Rasen came back strong again and were soon on the attack, the fly half kicked to the right winger who gathered the ball and passed back inside to score another try, this was converted to make it 15-0 after 22 mins.

Elks needed to respond quickly and they did just that, following good line out work from Chris Tipton Elks moved the ball left but were held up, from the Elks scrum Adam Corcoran drove strongly but was held up, the ball was recycled for Elley to charge through and score on 33 mins, Falls kick from the left fell short but at least the gap was closed to 15-5.

Rasen kicked off and the kick was poorly dealt with by the Elks, this was not the only occasion during the match, however Elks soon won back possession and were forcing their way back into the game.

Rasen were penalised and they kicked to the corner, Tipton took another clean catch and Elks drove 15 metres, the ball was moved into midfield and Alex Ayres used his strength well to crash through and score after 38 mins, Falls added the extras to make it 15-12, no further scores were added before half time.

Rasen kicked off the second half and dominated possession and territory for the first 10 mins, Elks defended bravely but could not stop Rasen scoring on 48 mins, converted to make it 22-12.

Rasen knocked on from the kick off and gave away a penalty, Falls had a long shot at goal and executed it well to make it 22-15 after 50 mins.

Rasen then went back to the forwards and had many pick and drives, keeping things tight and frustrating the Elks, following another series of pick and drive they forced their way over on 58 mins, the conversion added to make it 29-15 as we approached the last quarter.

Elks came back well and had good spells of pressure with Corcoran running strong and Tipton taking many line outs. The backs were starting to look dangerous with passes now going to hand and threatening the Rasen defence. Tom Pottinger was replaced by Jacob Heath, Jake Smithurst came off with a dislocated elbow and was replaced by Jack Wilkinson.

Following a Rasen penalty the Elks kicked to touch and Tipton again took clean line out, the ball was moved right and then back left, the ball eventually falling to Elley who ran through to score on 71 mins, Falls missed the extras from wide left leaving the score at 29-20.

Elks came again straight from the kick off in search of at least a losing bonus point, great handling through the back’s from Greg Taylor, Jack Partington and Falls eventually put Isaac Taylor through to score, he ran round to get as near to the posts as possible and Falls duly added the extras, making it 29-27 after 75 mins.

Rasen were visibly stunned by this and were looking tired, Elks however, were looking the stronger as the game entered the final minutes, Elley made another great break but the ball was knocked on soon after, Elks backs were throwing the ball around like Sevens in an attempt to find a gap, when the ball came to Heath he showed great footwork to round the defence and dived over to score the winning try, Falls converted as the ref blew the whistle to make it 29-34.

This was a remarkable comeback from the Elks who showed great spirit to keep going till the end, Rasen will feel gutted to have lost after long periods of dominance but Elks kept strong for 80 mins.

Performances got better as the game went on, understandable after no pre-season matches, although fitness levels were very good. Tipton had a great game in the loose and at line outs but just getting the nod for Man of the Match was Adam Corcoran who controlled the scrum base well even when under pressure, he was immense in defence and carried well in attack.

A great start to the season, next week sees the visit of Newark to the Stute for what should be a cracking match.