Match Report Saturday 15th January 2005

Derbyshire Cup

Asbourne 6-22 Ilkeston

Its been some years since these two sides have met but this Derbyshire Senior Cup encounter brought back memories of some tense and abrasive battles of the past.

On a dark and misty afternoon the Elks had first use of the slope and slight breeze. The conditions were not conducive to the free flowing rugby that the Elks supporters have become accustomed to but they did at least leave the picturesque Derbyshire town with a win and a place in the draw for the next round.

The Elks exerted all the early pressure but overelaboration and handling mistakes prevented them from turning this into points until the 10th minute. A Murray line out take was driven on by the pack. The retreating Ashbourne defence conceded a penalty which was taken quickly by Andrew Chapman. He fed a pass to Rudkin who set up a ruck ten meters out. Quick support from Quinn and Harriman recycled the ball to Faulkner who put Hallam clear to score in the corner.

Ashbourne quickly responded and put pressure on the Elks line resulting in a penalty for offside. Ellerby made no mistake from in front of the posts making it 3-5 after 15 minutes. The next ten minutes saw the game seesaw from end to end. Both sides attempted to move the ball but a combination of dropped passes and poor decision making kept the score unchanged. A Faulkner break could have resulted in a score when first Draper then Murray provided continuity. A Garland line out take and forward drive also provided scant reward when Ashbournes defence held firm. Another Faulkner, Draper combination supported by Pringle should also have provided a score but a delayed pass saw the chance squandered after 29 minutes.

The second half was to follow the blueprint of many of the Elks games this season as they moved up a gear with the opposition unable to match their pace, power, guile and skill. Asbourne made the mistake of trying to kick themselves into position but were foiled by the manner of Hallam, Draper and Kendal punished anything that was not inch perfect. The workrate of Naylor, Charlton and debutante Wiltshire, who had replaced Quinn after 25 minutes, enabled the backs to exploit the spaces which a tiring Ashbourne defence were unable to fill.

Kendal fielded an Ashbourne kick out of defence and linked with Hallam, Rudkin and Faulkner to create a score for Taylor after just 6 minutes of the half. Ashbourne, however, were not going to lie down and fought their way into the Elks half. Some fine tackling and defencive mauling by a now rampant Elks pack, with Falls, Naylor and Pringle to the fore, kept Ashbourne at bay. Andrew Chapman, Rudkin and Taylor also made good use of the boot made sure lines were cleared when required.

Prescott replaced the injured Falls after 13 minutes and was soon in action. Prescott's four months out with a broken hand were soon history as he tore into the opposition as a ball carrier and as a crunching tackler. The Elks pack were now in charge and a Garland line out take against the throw could have provided a try for Faulkner. A try however, did come shortly afterwards as Ashbourne attempted to move the ball from inside their own 22. Faulkner put in a crunching tackle on the Ashbourne centre, Taylor robbed him of the ball and strolled in between the posts. Taylors somewhat ill advised comments as he stole the ball from his opposite number led to an altercation involving numerous players from each side. Once the referee had restored order Kendal converted to make it 6-17 but this was his last and final contribution as he limped out of the contest following a tackle after the restart.

Man of the match Murray created the move and provided the scoring pass for the final try. From a scrum near the half way line, Murray picked up and crashed through several tackles to put him behind the ashbourne defence. His long miss out pass found Draper whose pace did the rest and leave the final score 6-22.

This was a typical county cup tie, full of passion and desire. The method of achieving the result may not have been straight out of the coaching manual but the target of reaching the the next round has been achieved.

Next week the Elks are hosts to Lincoln in their league encounter and hope to consolidate their second place position. Kick off 2.15 p.m.

We want to welcome all VP's and sponsors to game and a buffet provided starts at 1 p.m.