Elks recover from slow start to earn bonus point win

Elks kicked off but it was Newark who made all the early running dominating the opening exchanges, Elks conceded an early penalty in front of the posts on 5 mins but Newark’s kicker pushed the kick right letting Elks of the hook.

Newark continued to have all the early play forcing mistakes and dominating territory, the back line were caught off side and this time Newark’s kicker made amends with a clean strike to make it 3-0 after 11 mins.

Elks responded well and had their first real opportunity when Newark were penalised, Jake Lamb kicked to the corner and the line out was caught and driven, the drive was disrupted but the ball fed to Greg Taylor who ran left, he fed Jack Partington who was stopped just short of the line, the ball was recycled quickly and popped to Dan Taylor to score after 17 mins, extras missed making it 3-5

From the kick off Dan Rollins caught well but the Elks tried to play out their own 22, they were turned over and conceded a penalty which Newark slotted to make it 6-5 after 20 mins.

Newark came again strong and only a good tackle by Tom Pottinger prevented a likely score, Elks were penalised again and Newark kicked to the corner, the line out was caught and driven, the ball was recycled and chipped through for the winger, fortunately for the Elks he knocked on trying to gather the ball and the chance was gone.

Newark were still having the upper hand and following another penalty against the Elks Matt McGuire was yellow carded on 38 mins, Newark took full advantage of the extra man and following two attacking scrums they had a series of pick and drives and scored on the stroke of half time making it 11-5, extras missed.

Elks were glad to see the half time whistle and get chance to regroup following a disappointing first half display.

Unfortunately the second half began badly when the kick off was knocked on and Elks were caught off side, the penalty was cleanly struck and Newark led 14-5 after 42 mins.

This finally sparked the Elks into life and they launched several attacks through Greg Taylor and Jack Partington, this time Newark were guilty of too many penalties and their flanker was yellow carded on 50 mins.

Elks were then ruthless in taking advantage of the extra man when G Taylor dummied and went over on 52 mins, Falls with the extras making it 14-12.

Newark were penalised again and although Jake Lambs kick was too long the following Newark kick was returned 30 metres by G Taylor who then fed Jake Heath to sprint clear and score on 56 mins, Falls again with the extras making it 14-19.

Elks were straight back on the attack from the kick off and looking threatening on the left, unfortunately the pass was spilt into touch on half way, Rollins stole the line out and the ball moved right to Pottinger who made a great break, the ball was recycled and Lamb dummied the defence and shot through to score on 58 mins, Falls with the extras making it 14-26. Si Hallam and Alex Ayres came off the bench to give even more impetus to the attack.

This time it was Partington who made the incisive break and when tackled quick ball was used by Lamb and G Taylor, Newark were penalised and quick thinking by Simon Bennett enabled him to tap and go whilst everyone stood motionless, he ran in unopposed to score under the posts making it 14-33 after 61 mins, Falls with the extras.

Newark looked shell shocked having concede 28 points in 11 minutes and it looked as though things would get worse when Elks had another good attack on the left, the final pass would not stick and the loose ball was quickly gathered by Newark and they ran in under the posts, extras added making it 21-33 after 70 mins.

Play was now frantic as both sides ran the ball from anywhere making it great viewing for the crowd, Ayres got involved in the next attack and moved the ball left only a fantastic tackle from Newark prevented Falls from scoring in the corner.

Elks brought on young Will Taylor for his first team debut, a proud moment for him and his watching family, a reward for his hard work in the past months.

Newark tried to run from their own 22 and a long pass was intercepted by Heath, he made good ground but the ball was knocked on soon after, Elks were to get another chance before the final whistle with G Taylor and Partington making a break down the right, the move was carried on by D Taylor who was stopped just short of the line, great support play by Dan Hyams allowed D Taylor to offload to him and he dived the full metre to score near the posts on 79 mins, Falls with the extras making it 21-40 at full time.

This was certainly a game of two halves as Newark dominated the first half but the Elks turned it around in the second half with some superb back play with all involved, any of the backs could have got man of the match but Greg Taylor sparked the initial comeback and was too much for Newark to handle with his power and pace, so Greg gets the final Man of the Match for 2014.

Next game for the Elks is home on Jan 3rd 2.15 ko against Old Northamptonians who now sit second in the table, a tough start for the New Year.

Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year from all at Ilkeston Rugby Club.