Match Report Sat.5th February 2005

Ilkeston 32-12 Paviors

Last weeks disappointment away to Grimsby was put firmly out of memory as Ilkeston got back to business at the Stute. The weather was more akin to autumn than a winters afternoon in February.

Paviors put Ilkeston under pressure from the start and were awarded a scrum just 5 meters from the Elks goal line. The ball went to head and a quick pass on the short side from the scrum half put winger Bradley over for the first score of the afternoon and gave Paviors a lead of 0-5 after 3 minutes.

The Elks put pressure on Paviors from the kick off winning the breakdown. The ball was fed to outside half Rudkin whose perfect chip turned Paviors defence and the touch down race was narrowly lost by winger Draper. The resultant scrum and clearance by Paviors led to an Ilkeston line out. From a Garland line out take the ball was driven on by captain Charlton, Flemming and Wiltshire. The Elks recycled the ball for scrum half Chapman to feed Rudkin. Rudkin was stopped just meters from the line where Paviors stout defence enabled the to clear their lines.

The Elks kept the pressure on and were awarded a penalty when Paviors were guilty of killing the ball. Chapmans kick to touch gave the Elks a line out 5 meters out. Another penalty was given for pulling the maul down and the Elks opted for a second line out. Another Elks take by Murray and drive was stopped on Paviors line and the turnover ball was cleared to touch.

Ilkeston pressure was constant and another Murray line out take and break was rewarded with a try after 14 minutes. Kendal missed the conversion and the scores were level at 5-5. The kick off was caught by Murray who passed on to Rudkin who long clearance kick found touch on Paviors 10 meter line. Paviors took the line out but could not clear their lines. Big hits by Naylor, Falls, and Prescott denied Paviors from passing the gain line time after time. The Elks were awarded a penalty when Paviors went offside after 14 minutes and again the Elks opted for a line out. Garland won his ball and a quick passes from Chapman to Rudkin to Taylor allowed Hankin to break only to be stopped 10 meters out but with hands in the ruck Paviors conceded another penalty. Kendal made sure of the kick to put Ilkeston in the lead 8-5 after 18 minutes.

We had to wait another 11 minutes before the next score and those 11 minutes saw Ilkeston with most of the territorial advantage. It was after 29 minutes when Hankin scored again after some mouthwatering skills by Taylor. From a scrum on the Paviors 10 meter line Rudkin passed to Taylor on the short side. Seeing that Paviors defence was up very quickly Taylor knocked the ball forward and caught the ball after passing 2 defenders, Rudkin was in support and took the ball on and committed the full back to the tackle. Rudkins pass put Hankin clean away to score unopposed. Kendal converted to increase Ilkestons lead to 15-5.

Paviors again put the ball into touch from the kick off but won the ball at the breakdown from the scrum. Paviors kick forward found full back kendal who failed to kick clear and was caught in possession and gave Paviors a penalty just inside the Elks 22. Line outs were 50 - 50 and Paviors clean take was passed quickly down the line. The Elks defence was up quickly and Paviors kick through went over the dead ball line to give Elks a 22 drop out.

Three minutes before half time saw Ilkeston score their third try this time by Rudkin who had been in control of the half. Another infringement in the ruck by Paviors gave the Elks another penalty. A line out catch by Murray was driven on, Chapman fed Draper on the blind side, his run was stopped by the Paviors defence scrum to Ilkeston. The ball again went to the blind side and a ruck formed. Chapman gave quick ball t Rudkin who jinked his way through the defence and over and under the posts scoring a superb try. Kendal score the conversion for lead of 22-5 at the half.

Paviors hit straight back at Ilkeston and showed why they at the top of the league. Paviors worked their way deep into the Elks 22. Ilkestons defence was holding. Another scrum this time just 5 meters out was awarded to Paviors. A typical Paviors move, no:8 Eggleshaws pick up and short pass to the scrum half and over was performed perfectly. The conversion and try gave Paviors some hope after 3 minutes of the second half and a scoreline of 22-12.

Ilkeston had to withstand pressure from Paviors but the midfield defence of Rudkin, Taylor, and Hankin stood firm. Prescott playing his first game at blindside wing forward played a major role in the line outs and in the loose. Wiltshire in the second row put in some powerful tackles.

Ilkeston were awarded a line out 20 meters into Paviors half. Garland again won his ball and initiated the drive. The Elks drove on towards the posts where Chapman passed the ball out wide to hankin who went over for his second try and with the missed conversion the lead increased to 27-12 after 19 minutes.

Pressure again from Paviors as they made their way into the Elks 22. Draper made a desperate clearance kick only to find Paviors on the attack again. A scrum to Ilkeston just inside their half gave Chapman the opportunity to get a pass out to Draper. His break was stopped in the Paviors 22. From the ruck Chapman fed Rudkin, then to Taylor and Hankin. Full back Kendal joined the line to make the extra man and whose pass to Singleton allowed him to score an unconverted try which gave the Elks what turned out to be their score of 32-12 after 23 minutes

Paviors came back and pressure in the Elks 22 was relieved by prop Naylor who perfect clearance kick was greeted by the sizable crowd as only a forward kick can be. Paviors took the line out ball and mounted another attack. This time the ball was cleared by Rudkin.

After 36 minutes Pringle replaced Garland who was straight into defensive action. A penalty to Paviors for hands in the ruck gave another chance for a line out catch and drive. It was all too little too late. Ilkeston took the honours at 32-12.

Coach Hutchinson said after the match 'I was pleased to see the effort and skill level kept up for the full 80 minutes. The silly mistakes and penalties of last week were cut out this week.'

The Elks travel to Derby for a 3 Counties Cup tie next Saturday 12th February.

Match Report Sat. 9th October 2004               Paviors 7-5 Ilkeston

On a cold, crisp but sunny afternoon the Elks made the short journey to Burntstump for this league encounter with Paviors. The Burntstump side was 2 points ahead of the Elks and sitting on top of the league unbeaten. The Elks lay in forth position having lost just one game, so this promised to be a tight affair.

The start was delayed due, to what the referee considered to be, a colour clash but once the game had begun the Elks exerted the early pressure. Lineout steals by Garland and Taylor provided ball from which first Faulkener and then Dan Taylor made breaks, the later leading to a penalty which Chapman pulled wide. Paviors backs showed their paces by breaking out of defence and moving the ball wide only to be denied by a Faulkener cover tackle. The ensuing ruck caused an ankle injury to John Taylor who left the field to be replaced by Harriman who played out of position in the second row.The lineout was not as effective after the loss of Taylor.

Both sets of backs were determined to move the ball and only resolute defence by Rudkin, Flemming, Draper and Hallam prevented Paviors from opening their account. The Elks backs also showed their paces and after 25 minutes of the first half a break by Rudkin put Lewis clear only to see him hauled down just short of the try line.

With 28 minutes gone, a long touch kick from Lewis established an attacking platform inside the Paviors 22. A lineout take by Harriman was driven on by Charlton, Prescott, and Falls. Quick ball by Chapman found Keane whose pop pass enabled Dan Taylor to side step and dummy his way over near the post. Chapman hit the post with the conversion. With half time nearing the Elks were good value for their 5-point lead. From the restart Paviors doubled their efforts. They drove into the Elks 22 and battered their try line. The Elks with Keane, Rudkin, and Flemming making critical tackles stoutly defended a series of attacking scrummages. The half time whistle brought respite and an opportunity for the Elks to regroup.

The second half started very much as the first had finished with Paviors putting pressure on the Elks. Excellent defence from the midfield of Taylor and Faulkener snuffed out dangerous moves while Chapman, Lewis, and Hallam put in some telling touch kicks which helped to clear their line. The Elks scrum was under severe pressure but Falls, Prescott and Charlton stuck to their task. Having the edge in this area allowed Paviors to use their back row to telling effect and after 30 minutes of the half they were rewarded after a series of 5 meter scrums the no. 8 crashed over. The successful conversion gave Paviors a narrow 7-5 lead.

The remaining minutes saw the Elks moving the ball from deep and determined to throw everything into their search for a winning score. They were not helped however by the loss of front rowers Palls and Charlton through injury who were replaced by Pringle and Corrigan, The game could have been won when in the dying minutes, Faulkener put Draper clear only for him to be called back by the referee for what he adjudged to be a forward pass. This was an excellent performance from the Elks who deserved better than the narrow defeat. Paviors, who had scored an average of 36 points in their previous 4 games, will consider themselves fortunate to have emerged with a victory while the Elks will have taken comfort and confidence in their defensive organisation and ability to make best use of the ball available.

Next week the Elks travel to Asbourne for the Derbyshire Cup encounter.