Kettering edge game in final minutes

Elks began well with the scrum on top and forced an early penalty which Jake Lamb kicked to the corner, the line out was caught by Angus Hulme but knocked on soon after, Kettering cleared from the scrum but Elks came back through Lamb, the ball was recycled and Adam Corcoran drove hard into the opposition 22, Matt Watkins continued the drive and fed Jono Falls, the move broke down but Kettering were off side and Falls stuck the penalty well to give the Elks the lead 3-0 after 14 mins.

Kettering kicked off and Lamb cleared well using the slope and strong wind to gain 35 metres, Elks recovered the ball and attacked through Simon Bennett, the ball was turned over short of the line and Kettering cleared, Elks won the ensuing line out and attacked through Corcoran, although Kettering held up play and won the scrum Elks were pressurising strongly with Corcoran again defending stoutly, Watkins was next to catch Kettering in possession and he stripped the ball from the attacker and sprinted clear to score under the posts, Falls with the extras to make it 10-0 after 23 mins.

Kettering were struggling to make ground uphill into the wind and Elks defence was denying any space, Elks attacked again through Lamb and Matt McGuire but the ball was turned over by Kettering and chipped ahead, Elks cleared but Kettering counter attacked and recycled well, they moved the ball left and found space to score on 38 mins, the conversion was well struck closing the gap to 10-7.

Elks had another attack through Paul Stevenson and Kettering were penalised at the breakdown, Elks turned down the kick and went for the line out, Dan Rollins won good ball and Elks attacked on the left, the ball was knocked on and Kettering kicked dead to bring half time with the score at 10-7.

Kettering now had the slope and wind chasing a 3 point deficit, Elks kicked off and great defensive work forced a charge down from a Kettering clearance kick, Corcoran pounced on the loose ball and attacked, Kettering were penalised at the ruck and Elks took a quick tap through Alex Ayres, the ball was recycled and the forwards drove over the line with McGuire emerging with the crucial touchdown, extras missed but Elks were now leading 15-7 after 44 mins.

The kick off was gathered and an attack launched through Tom Pottinger, the ball was recycled and moved left, Kettering were offside and Elks kicked to the corner, the line out ball was lost and Kettering cleared to half way.

Kettering attacked but knocked on allowing Hulme to counter attack, the ball was recycled and Stevenson continued the charge, Lamb fed Hulme but Elks were guilty of crossing and Kettering used the wind well to clear 40 metres down field.

Elks had an attack on half way but a mix up in midfield saw the ball fall loose, Kettering were first to the ball and ran in at the corner to score on 58 mins, extras missed making it 15-12.

Kettering came again but were defended well by Stevenson and Hugh Smith, the recycled the ball but knocked on soon after, the game was evenly poised entering the final 10 mins.

Elks scrum was strong and forced another penalty from Kettering, Lamb cleared but only 10 metres into the strong wind. Bennet took the line out and the ball moved into midfield but knocked on, Kettering counter attacked and Elks were penalised for a deliberate knock on, Hulme received a yellow card for the offence.

Kettering kicked to the corner and caught the line out they drove forward and scored after 74 mins, the difficult conversion was also added to give Kettering the lead at 15-19.

Kettering were finishing strong downhill and keeping possession well denying Elks a chance to attack, they attacked down the right and recycled through several phases before scoring in the final minute, the conversion missed leaving the final score at 15-24.

Elks were unlucky to come away with nothing after leading for most of the game, crucially not enough points were scored in the first half when well on top.

With many players out of position the Elks battled hard with Corcoran and Falls noticeable, Man of the Match however goes to Jake Lamb who made numerous breaks and kept hold of possession well under strong pressure.

No league rugby next week on the Easter holiday so next action is away at Mansfield on April 11th 3.00 ko.