Match Report Saturday 17th December 2005
Ilkeston 18v6 Lincoln
The structure of the league season decreed that these two sides have met twice within a month. The previous encounter provided a thrilling game at Lincoln from which the Elks emerged as 7-21 victors. The game at the weekend was every bit as entertaining and produced another win for the in form Elks at the Stute. The winning margin of 18-6 was a fair reflection of the game but the home side were made to work hard for the points with Lincoln very much in the contest right to the end.
On a clear but chilly afternoon a fair crowd spurned the opportunity to complete their Christmas shopping and instead opted to attend the Stute for what promised to be a close encounter. They were not disappointed and were warmed by the skills and commitment on show from both sides.
The Elks started playing into the slope and stiff breeze. They could not have wished for a better start. Montague fielded the kick off and set up a ruck close to half way. Townsley's quick pass found Rudkin who fed Jonno Falls. Falls and Faulkner combined to create space for Stevenson who set off for the corner. Lincoln's Middleton bundle him into touch meters short. Garland disrupted Lincolns line out ball and earned a scrum 5 meters out. A solid platform was provided by Charlton, Wood, and Jason Falls, Townsley picked up from the base of the scrum and darted between Viles and Donner to score in the corner. Jonno Falls failed with the conversion.
Being 5-0 up with barely 3 minutes on the clock, the Elks may have felt they were in for an easy afternoon. Lincoln however are not a side that capitulates easily and put the pressure on from the restart. Illott should have reduced the arrears after six minutes but pulled a penalty attempt wide. He made no mistake 3 minutes later when following a quick line out by Oliver the Elks were penalised in midfield and Illott made it 5-3.
The margin was restored on 16 minutes with a Jonno Falls penalty from 30 meters. An up and under was fielded by full back Falls and exchanged passes with Taylor who worked his way infield and into Lincolns half. Backs and forwards combined taking play through several phases before Lincoln were forced to concede a penalty in front of their posts. Jonno Falls duly slotted the penalty but credit for the score belonged in no small way to his brother Jason who had featured in the build up on three separate occasions.
Lincoln were soon back in touch with a second successful Illott penalty following good work by the veteran Paul Clarke and his centre partner Reedes. With 20 minutes gone the game very much developed a pattern with both sides playing at pace and attempting to move the ball wide. Lincoln's Illott and Clarke made good use of the boot to pin the Elks in their own half but this tactic proved fruitless as the dominance of Garland in particular, and Shoebridge in the line out produced quality ball with which to work their way upfield. The presence of Holmes, Darby, Montague at the breakdown secured quality ball for Townsley whose choice of option was faultless all afternoon. His kicks turned Lincolns forwards, his probes and darts tied in their loose forwards and his swift passes were put to excellent use by the outstanding Rudkin.
The contest between the 2 sets of backs was very much a game within a game. Rudkin, Faulkner and Evans swift passing, changes of angles and support play created gaps and half breaks and came close on a number of occasions but Lincolns defence held firm. The back three of Stevenson, Taylor, and Falls were safe as houses and ever willing to support each other in setting up counter attacks. The factor that gave them the edge was the constant presence of Holmes whose ability to compete for ball at the breakdown denied Lincoln continuity.
Enjoying the slope and the breeze the Elks made the perfect start to the second half and increased their lead to 15-6 eight minutes in. An excellent passage of play with 11 players involved going through seven phases was justifiably rewarded with a try for Rudkin which Jonno Falls converted. The move started deep inside the Elks half when Montague fielded a kick by Montgomery. He charged forward and slipped a pass to Darby who found Holmes and Shoebridge in support. The forwards combined for Wood, Charlton, and Jason Falls to set up a ruck. The ball was swiftly moved for Taylor, Faulkner, and Evans to take play close to Lincolns line. Townsley was on hand and his pass put Rudkin in unopposed.
Lincoln redoubled their efforts and laid siege to the Elks line. The dangerous Draper was denied space on 2 occasions, first by Taylor and then Rudkin. Lincoln full back Middleton and left wing Donner were stopped in their tracks by Pringle, who had replaced the concussed Garland, and Charlton with the line beckoning. wood pinched 2 strikes against the head to give the Elks breathing space. Shoebridge also contributed with 2 takes on Lincolns line out ball and becoming the main line out target once the impressive Garland had departed.
The final score of the game was a Jonno Falls penalty to make it 18-6. Falls had set up the chance by linking with Taylor, Faulkner, and Evans after fielding a kick inside his own half. The final 20 minutes may have been scoreless but they were certainly not without incident. Attack and counter attack were mounted at frantic pace and only shattering and desperate tackles denied both sides adding to their scores. Memorable in this area was try saving tackle by Pringle on Booth to deny Lincoln and Hemmell on Townsley to deny the Elks. As the dying minutes arrived the man of the match Rudkin made way for Keane, secure in the knowledge that a job had been well done and that the Elks sit comfortably in second place in the league well positioned to continue their push for promotion in the new year.
Classic Brewery Man of the Match - Scott Rudkin.
The Elks next game is not until 3rd January when they travel to Nottingham Moderns.
Match Report Saturday 19th November 2005
Lincoln 7v21 Ilkeston
This was a close encounter between 2 sides flying high in the league table playing very much to the top of their form.
Ilkeston are not always the best of travellers and Lincoln are formidable at home so the odds favoured the home side, sitting third in the table just 2 points behind the Elks.
The first half seemed to favour the odds but the Elks performance in the second half was nothing short of sublime and earned them a well deserved 2 points. In recent years games between the two sides have been close fought affairs and this game continued the tradition. The two defences were well organised and offered little room to exploit. Both sides probed and employed an array of tactics in an effort to create gaps and at times more resemble a game of chess rather than a game of rugby. The crunching tackles, constant visits of the physio to the pitch, blood bin replacements, and substitutes for injuries however left one in no doubt as to exactly which game was being played.
The game started late as the Ilkeston players were delayed by an accident on the A46. Lack of adequate preparation and warm up had dire consequences after less than 5 minutes when Drew was forced off with a hamstring tare. He was replaced by Moore, who, although playing out of position on the wing, enjoyed a very productive afternoon.
Early exchanges set the pattern for the game. Lincoln established a slight advantage in the scrums but Pringle, the returning Wood, and Jason Falls covered their own ball in the front row and Montague and Townsley combined to make the best of the ball provided. The Elks were comfortable on their own line out ball and constantly disrupted their opponent's ball. Stoker, Garland, and Darby were dominant and provided the quality ball which in essence was the difference between the two sides and laid the platform for the win. Time after time this combination, ably assisted by Woods throwing in and Montague's strength, secured ball in vital areas of the park and stole ball against the throw at crucial points in the game.
While the forwards provided the platform to set up the victory the backs produced the guile and pace to score the tries and the tackling and covering to deny Lincoln for whom Clarke, Draper, and Illott always looked dangerous. Townsley darted, probed, and supplied swift passes and disrupted his opposite number Graham. Rudkin orchestrated the midfield where the pace and strength of Evans and the slight of foot and speed of pass by Taylor created 3 tries against the tightest of defences.
The opening try of the game was as predictable as it was exciting. After 22 minutes Lincoln managed to find space for the ex-Elks wing Draper. He received the ball deep inside his own 22 but with time in which to operate. He stepped inside Moore's tackle and easily won the race to score between the posts. Illott converted to make it 7-0. The execution of his try brought back fond memories for the Elks supporters who still relish his exploits of last season before work commitments caused his return to his native Lincoln.
Lincoln exerted further pressure with Whitwell, Booth, Potter and Viles all creating chances. The Elks defence held firm with crucial tackles from Corben, Darby, Thornton, and Jonno Falls. Having absorbed intense pressure the Elks were able break out courtesy of a strike against the head by Wood. Their first score followed a Stoker line out take. The ball was moved and interplay between Rudkin, Taylor and Jason Falls gave Evans early ball with which he powered over. Jonno Falls conversion brought the scores level at half time.
The early minutes of the second half were even with the Elks gaining a slight advantage. From a 22 restart the Elks took the lead for the first time. Stokers take and charge took play behind Lincolns defence. Townsley and Rudkin moved the ball swiftly giving Taylor enough time to escape the clutches of Reeds and Clarke. His try converted by Jonno Falls gave the Elks a 7 point lead at 7-14.
Lincoln almost responded within minutes when Whitwell and Douner created space for Draper. The excellent Jonno falls was on hand however to make a covering tackle in the corner.
Charlton replaced Jason Falls and Upton replaced Garland to bring fresh legs to the battle. As the last quarter approached Lincoln played themselves into the elks 22. A series of scrums and line outs were defended, often with desperation, but always with resolve. The quality of tackling and discipline denied Lincoln and respite was gained through a Jonno Falls break out gaining a penalty 30 meters from Lincoln's posts. Falls missed the kick at goal but from the 22 restart the Elks scored the try of the game.
Montague took the ball and set up a ruck. Townsley was on hand and found Rudkin who sucked in the fringe players and fed Taylor with a long pass. Taylor and Evans combined with breathtaking skills, exchanging passes and switching angles for Taylor to score. Falls converted to make it 7-21 with 15 minutes left. Lincoln struck back but could not find a way through a defence playing with confidence and determined to keep their line intact.
This was a superb performance, by the Elks, in a pulsating game where Lincoln played a full part. It keeps the Elks in second place and opens up a slight gap between them and third place.
Classic Brewery Man of the Match - Dan Taylor.
( It's OK Mum, you should see the other guy's fist ! )
Next week the Elks welcome Mellish in the 3 Counties Cup. Kick off 2.15 p.m.
Match Report Saturday 22nd January 2005
Ilkeston 23v17 Lincoln
Alfred Hitchcock could not have written a more compelling script as Ilkeston came from behind to win this gripping encounter deep into injury time.
On a bright and chilly afternoon the Elks playing with the slope, made the perfect start and opened their account after only two minutes. A lineout take by Murray was driven forward by Naylor, Jason Falls and Pringle. The quick ruck ball was made good use of by half back Rudkin, and centres Faulkner and Taylor. It was Taylors pass which put full back Jonno Falls into space. Falls delicate kick behind the advancing defence set up a race for the touch down which was won by the Elks skipper Charlton.
The visitors had clearly not got the journey out of their system and the Elks dominated the next 20 minutes. The line out was functioning well thanks to Harriman and Murray, and the impressive Flemming were getting the better of the exchanges at the breakdown, despite the attentions of Lincoln flanker Burnett.
With twenty minutes on the clock the Elks scored their second try converted by Jonno Falls to give them a lead of 12-0. A line out take by Murray was taken on by Robert Prescott, making his first start in 3 months after sustaining a broken hand. Andrew Chapmans pass from the ruck found Rudkin who fed on to Taylor. His change of pace allowed him to jink his way over and score under the posts.
The Elks should have added to their score before half time but failed to capitalise on a number of fine chances. A Faulkner break supported by flankers Flemming and Charlton split the Lincoln defence but broke down due to lack of support. Another Taylor break deserved better reward but a knock on at the ruck allowed Lincoln to clear their lines.
The last 10 minutes of the half belonged to Lincoln as they clawed their way back into the game. Their forwards launched drive after drive but the Elks determined defence with of Pringle, Prescott and Naylor to the fore, kept them at bay. A Clarke penalty miss after 37 minutes was scant reward for their pressure but their reward did come 1 minute into injury time. Centre Montgomery wriggled his way over after powerful drives from Orf, Booth and Burnett. Clarkes conversion made the half time score 12-7.
Wiltshire, making his home debut, came on to replace Jason Falls for the second half. This required a reshuffle of the pack with Charlton moving to prop and Wiltshire slotting in at blind side flanker. The Elks made the worst possible start to the half. Another penalty miss by half back Clarke after only one minute was shortly followed by a Lincoln put in to the scrum deep inside the Elks 22. Scrum half Reynolds break put winger Whitwell over in the corner and leveled the score at 12-12.
Lincoln were making nonsense of their lowly league position and causing all sorts of problems for the Elks line out and scrum, they were also now winning the battle at the breakdown. Barry Chapman replaced the injured Pringle after 15 minutes. Pringles contribution had been immense and the battering in contact had clearly taken its toll.
After 20 minutes Lincoln took the lead for the first time in the game. Good use of the short side following a line out on the 22, enabled Montgomery to power his way over for a score in the corner. At 15-17 Lincoln could have added to their advantage with chances created by Booth, Priest and Reynolds but desperate defence by Draper, Singleton and Flemming kept the lead to a very narrow 2 points. Singleton was injured in one of these episodes and was replaced by Kendal after 34 minutes.
With time running out the Elks threw everything at the visitors. Breaks by Rudkin, Faulkner and Taylor and powerful charges by Barry Chapman, Flemming, Naylor and Harriman were all repulsed by Lincoln. At the other end crucial takes by Kendal, Andrew Chapman and Draper kept the Elks in the chase.
With the clock showing 2 minutes into injury time the Elks were awarded a penalty 40 meters out. Many of the crowd could not watch as up stepped the youngster Jonno Falls. His customary 3 steps, strike and the ball sailed between the posts to make it 18-17.
Falls however, had not finished and made the game safe 5 minutes into injury time with a try in the corner. A scrum 20 meters out was taken against the head by Prescott. No.8 Murray picked up and made ground, Andrew Chapmans quick feed from the ruck found Taylor whose break and perfect timed pass enables Falls to crash over in the corner to leave the final score 23-17.
This was an excellent game of rugby with both sides showing determination and skill. It speaks volumes for the spirit of the Elks side who were justly rewarded for being prepared to battle and never accept that the cause was lost.
Next week the Elks travel to fourth placed Grimsby for what promises to be another tough encounter as Grimsby are unbeaten at home this season. The supporters coach leaves the Stute at 10 a.m.