Signs were there early on that this wasn't going to be as easy a match as we'd had in the two previous games, the first scrum of the game saw our pack pushed back for the first time this season.

An initial period of sustained pressure from Casuals, playing down the slope and a missed touch line kick allowed our opponents to gain a large amount of territory on the counter attack. A subsequent dominant scrum on our 5m line, with a pickup from their number eight, led to an easy dive over try. 5-0 to Casuals.

Minutes later, from the kick off, it was only a forward pass from one of their centres that saved us from another break away down the right wing. A little bit of kick tennis followed, with both sides failing to find touch with a number of clearance kicks. Finally Casuals came down the slope again and were rewarded with a penalty 5m from our try line. Once again a big carry combined with some tackles that were just too high, saw them go over once more. 10-0 down after 20mins, a weary day at the office so far.

A penalty soon after our kick off saw OP set the Elks up for a line out on Casuals 22m line. A good catch and powerful driving maul saw us up to their 5m line. Two short phases later and Jake picks up to smash his way over the line. OP converts to make it 10-7 and we now have a game on.
The Elks attempt to clear their lines numerous times, but allow Casuals to counterattack each time, pinning us down in our half. They gain a scrum 10m out and with two pick and goes down the blind side (a tactic used all night by the opposition) it leads to a try in the bottom right corner. It’s not converted, which is a let off, with the score being 15-7 at half time.

Ding, ding, seconds out round two, Casuals kick off the 2nd half. Only a few minutes later, a litany of missed tackles allows the opposition to get it wide and score. They again can’t convert but its now 20-7. Time to lift ourselves and see what we are made of. Straight from the kick off, a big hit from Finlay, is topped off by him ripping the ball and carrying into a melee of Casuals players and making it to their 22m. The Elks go blind side, OP shows then goes, down a sublime corridor that has opened up back on an inside line to run it in behind the posts. An error of judgement means no conversion but we are scrapping our way back into it at 20-12.

After bringing the bomb squad on, we are now giving them something to think about in the scrum. A penalty to us when Casusals stand up in the scrum and we set up a lineout just outside their 22. A catch, driving maul and a peel off by Austin down the blind side puts him in to score. A superb conversion from 5m from the touch line by OP means 20-19.

Lots of pressure from Ilkeston follows, scrum after scrum on the Casuals 5m line, but the opposition's defence is solid and they repel us every time. The dying seconds count down, Casuals give away a penalty outside their 22m, right over by the touch line. The referee marches them back to their 22m line when there is some back chat. With one of the most confident decisions we have seen, OP indicates to the ref that he will go for the posts. He’s only 5m in from the touch line, on the intersection with their 22m. Surely this is a hope and a prayer? Slots it over and The Stute goes wild. Elks 22-20 Casuals.

There is time for a restart, but 2 minutes later and it's all over. Not our best display, but showing spirit and fight to the end meant we squeaked the win.