Elks struggle to break Bugbrooke defence.

Elks began brightly stealing a line out and Jake Smithurst driving into the Bugbrooke 22, accidental offside gave Bugbrooke chance to clear.

Elks came again and moved the ball left but a knock on halted the move, individual errors were to cost dearly all game.

Another attack was created after Simon Bennett turned ball over, Dan Taylor made a break and the ball moved left, play was halted for a forward pass and another chance gone.

Bugbrooke were penalised at the scrum and Elks kicked to touch, Matt Watkins took good ball and the forwards drove on, the ball was moved left but again knocked on allowing Bugbrooke to clear.

The Elks were becoming frustrated with their own mistakes and allowed the penalty count to mount up, this gave Bugbrooke their first possession in the Elks 22, good defence forced a turnover and Alex Ayres counter attacked, the ball was moved right and found Isaac Taylor in space but he was bundled into touch short of the line.

Elks were having the lion’s share of possession but the Bugbrooke defence was solid with first time tackles being well made.

Bugbrooke had few opportunities in the first half but got the vital first score when they moved the ball right, their winger chipped over the defence and showed great speed to round the defenders and gather the bouncing ball and run in under the posts, extras added to make it 7-0 after 36 mins.

Elks had one final attack down the right with Jacob Heath, he appeared to be high tackled but nothing was given and the ball went forward soon after, Half Time 7-0.

Elks turned round with a slight wind at their backs hoping to get back into the game, the theme of the first half carried on when Elks knocked on trying to force things.

Elks worked hard and got into the Bugbrooke 22 with Greg Taylor but again the ball was knocked on, to make things worse it was then played by an Elks player who was offside, Bugbrooke took a quick tap and moved the ball right, their winger was given space and he out sprinted the defence to score his second try after 48 mins, extras added to make it 14-0.

The penalty count was again mounting against the Elks and broke up any momentum and allowed Bugbrooke to clear their lines.

Bugbrooke had a line out near half way which was stolen and the ball moved right, Ayres made an incisive break and fed Greg Taylor who carried the move on, he then fed Jono Falls to score, extras missed making it 14-5 after 53 mins.

Bugbrooke kicked off and Tom Hicks gathered the ball and went on a 30 metre run, the ball was recycled but agonisingly knocked on again.

Elks were penalised in midfield and Bugbrooke kicked to the 10 metre line, the line out was taken and the Bugbrooke pack went on a driving maul all the way to the Elks line before breaking off blind and scoring in the corner after 57 mins, extras missed making it 19-5.

The wind noticeably increased in the second half making it difficult to run the ball, combined with Bugbrooke’s solid defence the Elks struggled to create any scoring opportunities.

Elks finished the game in the Bugbrooke 22 forcing penalties from the home side, as their penalty count rose they were issued a yellow card on 74 mins for persistent infringement’s.

Elks made a final push with a man advantage but the defence stood strong as it had for most of the game. Final Score 19-5

Elks will be disappointed with the amount of individual errors and combined with the Bugbrooke strong defence, chances were few and far between. Not many highlights on the day but man of the match goes to Dan Taylor who ran strong all game and made the only few incisive breaks for the Elks during the match.

Next week sees the visit of Derby and a much improved performance will be required to register the double over Derby this season after the impressive victory at Haslam’s Lane.