Elks bag another 5 points at Belgrave

Elks made a bright start and an early break from Chris Tipton took Elks to the Belgrave 22, the ball was lost when knocked on, Belgrave counter attacked but this was immediately turned over and a break by Jack Partington and Jake Lamb led to a try for Tom Pottinger to score after 3 mins, Falls missed the extras to make it 0-5.

Belgrave made headway into the Elks 22 but were penalised allowing Lamb to clear, Tipton took clean line out ball and Ayres crashed up in midfield, Tom Southall kept the move going and fed Pottinger who drew the last defender and fed Jacob Heath to score after 9 mins, extras by Falls to make it 0-12.

Belgrave then had a good five minutes with the No8 making some strong runs, Elks discipline was poor and allowed Belgrave to kick for the corner and try a catch and drive, this was held up illegally and Elks penalised again, Belgrave opted for the kick and scored to reduce the gap to 3-12 after 20 mins.

From the kick off Belgrave caught and kicked long and Heath counter attacked, the ball was quickly recycled and moved left, good hands through the back line put Falls into space and he scored in the left corner after 24 mins. Extras missed making it 3-17.

Belgrave kicked off and Elks knocked on allowing Belgrave some decent territory, tempers flared at the next breakdown and Dan Hyams and the Belgrave 9 were both yellow carded.

Elks cleared their lines and from the ensuing line out Elks caught and drove forward, the ball was moved left and Belgrave halted the move illegally, Elks kicked to the corner and Tipton caught well and the ball was mauled forward, it was stopped just short of the line but Southall picked up and went blind to score in the corner after 32 mins. Falls missed the conversion to make it 3-22.

Elks received another yellow card on 36 mins when Tipton was judged to have taken a Belgrave player out following a chip forward. Elks continued to fall foul of the referee and conceded several penalties. This allowed Belgrave to pin the Elks down on their own line, after several pick and drives they were eventually rewarded with a score on 39 mins, conversion missed making it 8-22 at half time.

Partington was replaced by Dan Taylor, returning from long term injury.

The second half deteriorated into stop start play littered with mistakes and penalties from both sides, both sides received another yellow card apiece as frustration grew on both sides. Simon Hallam came on for Dan Bell and Isaac Taylor replaced Falls, Partington went back on for Ayres.
The only highlight of the second half for the Elks was left until the final minute when the Belgrave scrum was disrupted and the ball turned over, quick hands moved the ball right and set up Heath for his second try, extras missed making the final score 8-27.

Following a good first half Elks failed to reach this level in the second half and know with some tough matches coming up only 80 minute performances will gain victories.

On the positive side it was encouraging to see Dan Taylor return to action, Tipton and Southall played well up front and Partington created several try scoring chances, however the Man of the Match award goes to Jacob Heath for his brace of tries and some great counter attacking play from full back.

Next week sees a visit from Bugbrooke who did the double over us last season so a tough game is on the cards. Kick Off 3.00