Elks edge scrappy affair against battling Belgrave.

Elks started with the slope advantage and made all the early running, space was created for Jono falls down the left wing but he was halted by a high tackle which resulted in just a penalty for the Elks when there were no other defenders in sight and only 10 metres to the line.

Elks kicked to the corner and took clean line out ball, the backs moved quickly right and recycled the ball, Tom Hicks mad a decisive break and fed Jacob Heath who sprinted clear to score in the corner, Falls added a difficult conversion to make it 7-0 after 12 mins.

Belgrave responded well and had their first spell in the Elks half, Elks discipline was poor and following a couple of penalties Belgrave reduced the lead with a well struck penalty making it 7-3 after 14 mins.

Elks were soon back on the attack with Greg Taylor but the move was stopped illegally and Elks opted for the scrum, the ball was moved left but knocked on with the line beckoning, Belgrave cleared to the 22 but Elks soon had the ball back when Simon Bennet turned over Belgrave ball, G Taylor again broke through and the move carried on by Dan Hyams who was held up short.

Elks were still dominating possession and territory but a stubborn Belgrave defence were working hard, Elks backs created another chance when Falls made a great angle run and pierced the defence, he drew the last defender and fed Heath to score his second try, extras missed making it 12-3 after 27 mins.

Again discipline cost Elks ground allowing Belgrave a kick to touch and catch and drive from the line out, Elks defended well and thought the danger was gone but Belgrave slotted a drop goal to reduce the lead to 12-6 after 30 mins

Belgrave attacked and knocked on but play continued only to be halted and Elks penalised for back chat, Belgrave kicked to touch but knocked on at the line out allowing Elks to clear, Belgrave attacked again and Elks were penalised for not rolling away, the kick was slotted to make it 12-9 after 38 mins.

Elks had the final say of the half working well in the backs and creating an overlap for Isaac Taylor to score on the stroke of half time, extras missed making it 17-9.

Belgrave now had the slope but there first territorial kick was poor and allowed Heath to counter attack, the ball was recycled and Tom Pottinger carried on the move on the right wing he off loaded one handed to Isaac Taylor to score in the right corner, extras missed but Elks now lead 22-9 after 43 mins.

Belgrave came back strong down the hill and the Elks penalty count was beginning to mount, patience wore out from the referee and Dan Hyams received the first of several yellows, Belgrave kicked to touch and had several forward drives, Elks again gave away penalties and lost Matt Watkins and Simon Bennett to the sin bin on 53 & 55 mins respectively. Belgrave opted for the scrum which collapsed on impact and the referee gave a penalty try on 58 mins, conversion added making it 22-16.

Belgrave had the momentum and Elks could not adapt to the referees interpretation of the breakdown and gave away further penalties, they made the numerical advantage count from a catch and drive forcing their way over after 63 mins, extras missed making it 22-21.

Next to receive a yellow was Joel Haigh who had made a tackle, got to his feet and played the ball so most of the crowd were bemused at this decision.

Belgrave attacked again and Elks were penalised on half way, Belgrave opted for goal when the kick to touch looked the better option, the resulting penalty kick fell way short and Elks cleared.

Space was created for Isaac Taylor who made a great break down the right, he was tackled well but the tackler made no attempt to roll away and he was sin binned on 72 mins.

Elks kicked to corner and driven forward by Elks, the ball was knocked on and Belgrave cleared, Falls counter attacked and fed Isaac Taylor who was bundled into touch just short of the line, a scuffle broke out and resulted in only one yellow card for Isaac Taylor from the Elks.

Elks continued with a good spell of pressure and Belgrave were penalised, Elks kicked to the corner and drove towards the line, the ball was moved right and recycled the same way, Falls made a break and fed Jake Lamb to complete the scoring, Falls missed the extras as the final whistle blew. Final score 27-21.

Elks got 5 points out the game but it turned into a scrappy affair as tempers flared and was one to forget for the large crowd assembled on Ladies day. Patchy performances on the day with most of the lads having good spells at some stage, Man of the Match however goes to Tom Pottinger who stepped in to second row at short notice and gave a solid performance throughout.

No game next week so the next League fixture is away Feb 21st, at Bugbrooke, followed by a much anticipated return game with Derby on Feb 28th.