A positive result from Saturday's encounter could have made the Elks position in this league guaranteed for next season but try as they may the Elks fell short at the final whistle. The two vastly contrasting styles did however deliver a game of power, pace, skill and a nail biting finish.

Newark's game plan was to keep the ball in the forwards which, as the previous match at Newark showed, was a tactic that Ilkeston would find difficult to overcome. Ilkeston on the other hand always look to run the ball at every occasion. This style of play is attractive and to watching faithful is what they come to see, but when up against the driving maul as the main play, style and panache comes second.

Newark applied pressure from the kick off using the cross field wind and the slope to their advantage. After only 4 minutes Newark had the opportunity to open the score from a penalty awarded against the Elks for handling in the ruck. The shot at goal was refused and scrum half Danny Coen took a quick tap and moved the ball wide. Stout defence, which has been another trademark of the Elks this season, stood firm and the attack was repulsed. The forward power of Newark was becoming evident with a series of pick up and drives gaining yardage. After 8 minutes Newark worked deep into the Elks half, a driving maul and quick hands delivered a series of passes reaching wing Waqalevu. He had the Elks Draper in front of him. Normally Draper would cut out any attack against him but this was a rare occasion when Drapers high up tackle was easily broken and the winger went over to score Newark's first try.

Ilkeston responded within 2 minutes with a succesful 30 meter penalty by Jono Falls. Buoyed by the score the Elks piled on the pressure with superb interchanging passes between Craig Charlton and George Darby gained ground and space to allow Draper to find his pace and skill to score in the corner after 10 minutes to take the score to 10-5.

Ilkeston were matching Newark in the forward play, a pick up and drive by Steve Quinn linking with Adrian Montague supported by Tris Evans again gave an opportunity for Draper, only to be stopped by the massed Newark cover. Newark attacked from their line out ball and only a superb tackle from Dan Taylor stopped the visitors from increasing their score.

Newark took the lead after 20 minutes when a lost line out ball was mauled forward by the visiting forwards and a penalty try awarded as they were found guilty of dropping the maul. The try was converted and the lead changed hands at 10-12.

Newark started to use the slope to good effect making the Elks play from deep. The defending clearance kick by Falls from a long punt by Dobson gave Newark another opportunity to catch and drive their way to the Elks line and over for a try. Again converted and an increased lead to 10-19.

The Elks had to secure their own ball and keep possession to allow any chance of bringing their backs into the game. Picking up a ball in the loose and a Paul Townsley pass out to Taylor gave him chance to create a break. Falls took up the challenge with his break and pass to Draper then back inside to Evans. Evans offload in the tackle was enough to give Darby space to dive over for a try. Falls conversion brought the scores closer at 17-19 after 37 minutes.

From the kick off the ball was spun wide to Taylor. His searing break was well supported by adam Drew. He took up the challenge and back flipped the ball to Draper. His speed and skill took him through two defenders and under the post for a magnificent try. Falls made the simple conversion and the half time score 24-19.

The turn round saw prop Gordon Pringle replaced by Rob Naylor and another attack by Newark. With a line out in Newark's favour the Elks new what was coming next. Newark's drive was stopped just meters short and from the melee the ensued Falls was yellow carded for retaliation after the referee inexplicably missed the punches thrown right in front of him. The Elks defence cracked under the pressure and Newark leveled the scores at 24-24 after 3 minutes.

Newark had to take advantage of their superiority in numbers and another break by Waqalevu saw him penalised as he was isolated and penalised for holding on. The elks were under pressure and their desperate defence wasn't helped with being a man down and the referee not helping the cause with some unexplainable decisions. The Newark scrum was well defended by the Elks. A second scrum defended, and defence was sound around the fringes, and a clearance kick by Draper gave Newark chance to continue their familiar pattern of play from the line out. The line out was won and Newark drove the Elks back over their line for yet another catch and drive try after 15 minutes taking the score to 24-29.

The play was all too familiar Newark using their forwards and Ilkeston trying to play the open game. Newark kicked ahead and won a line out close to the Elks line. The ball caught, the drive went on but this time a try was scored with a snipe around the side by hooker Cove. At 24-34 after 20 minutes of the second half and under severe forward pressure the Elks never gave up. A 40 meter Falls penalty went just wide after 25 minutes. After 27 minutes Falls made a successfully attempted penalty after Paul Townsley broke through Darby supported and released Taylor only to be stopped 20 meters out. Newark were penalised for hands in the ruck. Score now 27-34.

Bryn Locke replaced Montague to put fresh legs into the Elks forwards. Play was taken into Newark territory and a scrum awarded to the Elks. Taking their own ball the Elks put several phases together and worked the ball out wide left. Darby was on hand to storm over in the corner for a well worked try. Falls pulled the conversion and the score up to 32-34 .

Newark came back at the Elks and desperate defence of the Elks line was aided by superb breaks by Townsley and then Taylor. The Elks new time wasn't on their side and keeping the ball in hand gave them the best opportunity to make their way into Newark's half. A penalty just a meter inside Newark's half and right on full time meant that Falls decision to go for goal was the only option left to him and the win. The ball dropped agonisingly short under the cross bar and into the arms of Newark's Coen who kicked into touch and the final whistle blew for a very hard earned Newark victory.

League action takes a break before the final match of the season away against Paviors on Saturday 14th April.

Classic Brewery Man of the Match - Jono Falls