10 Man Rugby beats Elks 

Ilkeston 15-25 Derby

 Ilkeston took on Derby after a convincing defeat by Matlock last Saturday and it was interesting to see if the Ilkeston players could respond in a positive fashion. The conditions were set for an open game with sun, a light breeze and the occasional shower predicted. The ground was in perfect condition for open rugby.

 Derby attacked from the off and the early pressure was rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts and which Brett Beckham slotted over for a 0-3 lead after 5 minutes. In these early exchanges Ilkeston suffered a mighty blow as second row forward Lee Jones, making welcome return to first team action, had to leave the field with a leg injury.

 Ilkeston went straight into the attack and following a scrum for a knock on the Elks were awarded a penalty which Taylor pulled wide. Ilkeston knew they had to attack Derby and pressed Derby back into their 22 by a Rudkin break. The ball was turned over and the Elks found themselves back in their 22.

 Derby forced there way down the left flank and Hughes was stopped short by a try saving tackle from full back Taylor. As was expected Derby’s backs had a fair amount of clean ball but the Elks defence seemed up to the challenge with crunching tackles from Rudkin, Faulkner and Evans. It was an all out attack by Derby but a one too many kick from Beckham led to an exchange of kicks which put Ilkeston into the Derby half.  A line out in the corner following a Derby penalty gave the Elks a chance to make a score but a mid field mix up let Derby off the hook.

 From another deep kick into the Elks half full back Taylor combined with winger Draper who went passed three men only to be stopped by the covering defence. The Elks forwards knew they had to battle for what ended up very little ball but after a maul, a pass out to Evans fed Richard Jones in support set up a ruck only to have the ball turned over a possible try scoring opportunity was missed.

 Derby were becoming dominant in the line out and the Elks were looking venerable in the scrums. The scrum was dealt a blow when Jason Falls had to be replaced by Pringle after 25 minutes, with a shoulder injury. The change did not hinder the Elks and hard won ball was passed out to Faulkner who’s chip and catch over the oncoming Derby backs gave him the chance to feed Draper. Draper took on the Derby defence only to be stopped in the act of grounding the ball for a score.

 Ilkeston mounted attack after attack but the Derby defence was sound. The Elks forwards lifted their game and were more competitive in the loose than in previous weeks with the back row of Bryn Locke, George Darby, and Richard Jones making their presence felt.

 Derby’s attacks were met by stout Ilkeston defence but when a touch kick failed Derby came back at the Elks, set up a ruck then a driving maul which gave Beckham a try and a conversion. With 42 minutes gone.

 From the restart the Elks were fast asleep. Derby’s marauding no:8 Southern scythed through Ilkeston to score an unconverted try to make the score at half time 0-15.

 Ilkeston welcomed back scrum half Andrew Chapman who had been away from first team duty for some. Chapman was getting up to speed and gave Derby problems at the base of the Derby scrum. Derby playing uphill tried the kicking game but full back Taylor took up the challenge and ran the ball back at every occasion.

 After an excellent passage of forwards combining with backs the Elks midfield linked and quick hands put Derby under serious pressure in their 22. From a ruck the Elks prop Rob Houston opened his account going over in the corner. The conversion was pulled wide and the Elks were on the board with the score 5-15 after 10 minutes.

 The Elks kept on attacking and were putting pressure on the Derby ball with tackles in midfield and defending against the Derby maul. The Elks retreating scrum made clean ball difficult. Rudkin switch move with Faulkner and a superb break by Faulkner set up winger Drew to score a try in the corner after 15 minutes. The conversion missed gave a score of 10-15.

 The Elks brought the scores level after a breakout from a line out in their own 22. Rudkin passed out wide to Taylor who put Draper clear down the right touchline. Draper ran most of the length of the park before Derby’s defence came into play. The Elks won the ball back and Faulkner raced over for the Elks third unconverted try. 15-15.

 Derby came back and a break by Beckham was stopped by Taylor. Derby kept the ball in the forwards and employed the driving maul as the Derby realised the only way to win was  to kept the ball tight in the forwards, playing an expansive game would play into the Elks hands. The Elks defence was standing but immense pressure was being applied. Rich Jones was replaced by Guy Townsley which led to the reorganising of the pack. The pressure was too much for the Elks and Derby opted for a penalty scrum 10 meters out giving the Derby no: 8 an opportunity to score his second try of the game and Beckham to take the score to 15-22.

 Derby were tightening the game up more and more with driving mauls and kicks over the defence. The Elks still employed the open game and were stopped only by another unfathomable decision by referee Mr. Sharpe after a superb breakout by Taylor and Draper. The scrum given just inside the Derby half gave Derby’s Burrows an opportunity but was buried by the Elks defence. Another unexplained penalty was given which Beckham this time kicked and converted making the final score 15-25.

 This was a much improved performance by Ilkeston and gives them confidence to go on and perform at this higher level. The forwards were boosted by the return of the Jones brothers who’s experience showed. This young Ilkeston team are learning hard lessons and their baptism in to Midlands 2 East has been has been harsh.

Classic Brewery Man of the Match – Scott Rudkin.