The Elks comfortably eased their way into the second round overcoming an abrasive and skilful Nuneaton OE side at the Stute in Saturday.

A much reshuffled side from the previous week saw the return of Craig Charlton, Rich Jones, Adam Drew and Jim Faulkner but the absence of Rob Naylor, Stephen Quinn, Scott Rudkin and Tris Evans through injury. The Elks also gave a first start to Paul Townsley at scrum half.

The Elks were soon on the offensive when Faulkner used pace and strength to burst through the visitors defence, Ben Thornton however could not hold onto the pass with the line at his mercy.

The following 15 minutes saw the home sides defence stretched to the limit as the Nuneaton side applied all the pressure. A series of tapped penalties close to the line could have resulted in a try but savage tackling stopped the home sides try line being crossed.

The referee, Mr. Leeson, felt that one penalty too many had been conceded and consigned Jason Falls to the sin bin. The visitors spurned the easy kick at goal opting to tap and run once more but a fumble in midfield allowed Jones and Singleton to break clear and take play into the opposition half.

Nuneaton countered through Temo and Collismith but good covering work by Townsley and drew stemmed the tide. Having weathered the storm the Elks regained the initiative through fine lineout work from Adam Stoker, the man of the match, and 'Doug' Darby with strong running from Faulkner and Jonno Falls.

The first score arrived courtesy of a Jonno Falls penalty after a fine passage of play fro scrum half Townsley, centre Faulkner and no. 8 Russ Garland.

Under pressure after an astute kick from fly half Tama Keane, Nuneaton failed to find touch. Drew fielded the ball and combined with Townsley and Jonno Falls to set up an attack from deep. Charlton collected the ball from the ruck, fed fellow prop Gordon Pringle and his pass made room for Jones to storm over to make it 8-0 after 24 minutes. Jonno Falls increased the lead with a penalty from 42 meters after 35 minutes.

As half time approached Nuneaton got on the score sheet as a result of the home sides defensive failures to deal with a raking long kick from fly half Masser. From the line out on 5 meters, Nuneaton's second row Oates collected the ball to set up a driving maul and resulting in a touch down for hooker Budgen.

Keane left the fray after 39 minutes to be replaced by Paul Stevenson. As the Elks reshuffled Nuneaton launched another attack through their backs and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which Masser duly kicked making it 11-8 at half time.

Playing into the wind and slope in the second half the Elks needed to increase the tempo of their game which they duly did. The half had barely begun when Garland picked up from the base of the scrum. Quick support from Andy Corben, Jones, and Jason Falls took play in behind the visitors defence. Swift delivery from Townsley to Falls set up a chance for Faulkner which he gratefully accepted. Fall's conversion gave the Elks a comfortable cushion at 18-8.

The Elks forwards were by now stamping their authority on the game. First Darby the Stoker and Jones scattered tackles as they went on rampaging runs. A further Darby charge supported by Pringle and JP Singleton gave Falls another penalty chance which he calmly stoked over from 40 meters to make it 21-8.

Nuneaton desperately chased the game but their attempts to attack from deep were frustrated by some fine tackling by Stephenson, Singleton and Drew and the combination of Garland, Corben and Jones who won the battle for the ball in contact areas.

Corban was injured in the execution of such duties and was replaced by Wesley Upton whose extra height at the back of the line out made life even harder for Nuneaton.

A Stoker line out steal and drive with Darby in support created a penalty chance which Falls slotted to bring up the 24 points.

As time ticked away Nuneaton mounted a series of attacks. Desperate defensive work by Upton, Thornton and the impressive Townsley kept them at bay until deep into injury time when a penalty close to the Elks line was quickly taken by scrum half Neale whose pass put Collismith over making the result 24-13 at the final whistle.

This was a fully deserved and impressive performance and once again highlights the fact that even with so many changes there is strength in depth and organisational ability which enables the side to win and win in style.

Classic Brewery Mon of the Match was awarded to Adam Stoker.

Next week the Elks welcome Melton Mowbray to the Stute in a league match, kick-off 3 p.m.