Match Report

Saturday 18th December 2004

Ilkeston 72v0 West Bridgford

After last weeks disappointing performance away at Matlock, normal service was resumed at the Stute on Saturday. Injuries and unavailability's gave an unusual look to the starting line up in a game that had to be won if the Elks challenge for the league title was to be maintained.

Playing into the slope and slight breeze the Elks exerted early pressure and could have gone in front had full back Kendal not pulled a penalty attempt wide from 35 meters and winger Singleton not been beaten to a touch down by Bridgford's Richardson following a deft Rudkin chip. Their pressure was rewarded however, when following good driving play by Pringle and Barry Chapman, another Rudkin chip was fielded by Singleton, whose pace left Bridgford's defence floundering as he raced in from his own half. Kendal's conversion made it 7-0 after 13 minutes.

Murray, who was sorely missed last week, started the move which led to the second try 10 minutes later. His bullocking run from the base of the scrum took play behind Bridgford's defence. Pringle was on hand to recycle the ball and quick hands in the backs put Jonno Falls in space and whose inch perfect pass enabled Taylor to score the first of his four tries in the corner.

The Elks front row of Pringle, Falls, and Charlton were giving their opposite numbers a torrid time forcing them to concede a penalty after 28 minutes which Kendal converted to make it 15-0.

Garland and Murray were supplying good ball from the line out and Edwards and Flemming winning the battle at the breakdown ensuring quality possession for the backs to use. Andrew Chapman thrived on this and his quick flat passes were put to good use by Rudkin who conducted affairs from fly half. His use of an array of passes, variety of kicks and powerful breaks caused chaos in the Bridgford defence which was exploited by the outstanding centre pairing of Taylor and Faulkner. This combination linked to produce the next try. A searing break by Taylor was supported by Faulkner who crashed over under the posts. Kendal's conversion made it 22-0. Singleton was injured in the build up and was replaced by Draper. The final try of the half stemmed from a Garland line out take. The ball was moved swiftly to midfield then back inside to the forwards. Flemming, Edwards, Barry Chapman, and Jason Falls combined to set up a ruck. Andrew Chapman provided the link and Rudkin's half break created space for Taylor to power over from close range. Kendal converted leaving it 29-0 at the half.

The second half started as the first had ended with the Elks running the opposition ragged. Jones replaced Edwards at half time and his extra height gave further options in the line out which was put to good use with just 2 minutes of the half gone. Jones provided quick ball from a line out deep in his own half. Precision passing fed Draper. The roar of the crowd in anticipation as Draper collected the pass, was rewarded as he crashed through tackles and swerved around defenders to score in the corner.

Draper added to his try only 3 minutes later. Jason Falls fielded a clearance kick and dodged his way infield. He found Draper whose pace was too much for the Bridgford defence. His try in the corner went unconverted. Taylor was next on the score sheet. Pringle fielded the restart kick and opted to move the ball from inside his own 22. Excellent interpassing between Kendal, Jason Falls, and Faulkner fed Taylor at pace. His jinking run enabled him to touch down in the corner. Taylor was having an outstanding game and duly scored his hat trick. Murray picked up and fed scrum half Chapman from a scrum on the half way line. Flemming, Jones, and Kendal combined to put Taylor away. Taylor in a supporting role was rewarded with an inside pass to score. Kendal converted to bring up the half century.

Rudkin had orchestrated events all afternoon and clearly he wanted part of the action. Numerous phases of play with Barry Chapman, Faulkner, and Charlton prominent, provided him with quick ball with which he sidestepped and dummied his way through Bridgfords's defence to score between the posts.

Two further tries were added before the final whistle. The first saw Draper complete his hat trick after good work by Garland, Jason Falls, and Faulkner. The second was the try of the game where passing and support brought prolonged applause from the very appreciative crowd and enabled Taylor to get his name on the score sheet for the fourth time. Garland took a knock in the build up and was replaced by Wesley Upton.

The final score of the 72-0 against league strugglers West Bridgford was just the Christmas tonic the Elks supporters need. This put the league campaign very much back on track and the New Year is awaited with anticipation.

Delighted coaches Hutchinson and Rudkin commented " You have to be impressed by the tries we scored today. The backs took the glory but I am sure that they would be the first to praise the work done by the forwards who supplied quality ball all afternoon. We were clinical in our finishing and our support play was outstanding".

Match Report

West Bridgford 0v48 Ilkeston

High flying Elks recorded another impressive victory when they clinically disposed of West Bridgford away at the Memorial Ground. The victory confirmed the Elks second position in the league and turned up the heat on leaders Paviors who lost away to fifth place Grimsby.

The Elks secured their seventh win of the season with tries from Faulkner (2), Singleton (2), Rudkin, Andrew Chapman, Murray and Taylor in a game which Bridgford never looked like scoring.

The first try came with only 2 minutes on the clock. A powerful scrum on the opponents 5 meter line enabled Andrew Chapman to dart for the line. He was pulled down just short but the impressive Rudkin was on hand to pick up and drive over.

From the restart a Murray stampede supported by Faulkner nearly added to the score as did a deft chip from Taylor which put Draper in space. The Elks backs with superb support from the forwards were giving the home defenders a torrid time. On 14 minutes Barry Chapman took the ball on deep in his own half, He scattered tacklers as he advanced into the Bridgford 22 before popping a pass to Keane who offloaded in the tackle for Singleton to score in the corner.

Within 2 minutes the scoreboard was ticking over again. A long pass from Keane to the barnstorming Rudkin who broke clear. His pass to Draper was moved on to skipper Charlton whose perfectly timed pas to Singleton demonstrated skills not often found in a front row player. His assertions that he could play no: 8 were given some credibility on this occasion. Singletons pace finished the job and made it 0-15.

The next try came courtesy of some hard work by Naylor, Falls, and Harriman whose driving play set up a ruck on Bridgfords 10 meter line. Scrum half showed some excellent vision realising that the retreating defence had not covered the short side. His darting run through the gap beat the cover and he dived over close to the posts. The conversion gave the Elks a comfortable 0-22 lead.

The platform in the scrum provided by Naylor, Falls, Charlton, Harriman and Barry Chapman was supplying the sort of ball that the Elks backs thrive on. Taylor and Faulkner were responding to subtle distribution of the fit again Keane and wingers Draper and Singleton were showing too much pace for their opposite numbers. The score was increased to 0-29 when a line out take by Harriman was driven on by Naylor and Falls before Murray broke clear to score close to the posts.

Hallam replaced Singleton at half time and was soon into the fray. He earned a penalty which was taken quickly by Chapman. His pass found Rudkin whose devastating break split the defence and his pass out of contact allowed Faulkner to score.

At 0-34 the Elks relaxed a little and Bridgford enjoyed their best passage of play. The determination that their line would not be crossed however, denied Bridgfords best efforts. The defensive organisation has made the Elks a very mean side with the crunching tackling of Taylor and the work rate of Flemming and Rudkin very much cogs in this impressive wheel.

The score was moved on to 0-41 with 21 minutes of the half gone. Good work by Draper set up a scrum just outside the Bridgford half. Quick ball to Keane allowed him to execute an exquisite reverse pass to Faulkner whose power and pace put him over under the posts.

The final score came courtesy of quick thinking by Andrew Chapman and Flemming whose linking after a quickly taken penalty fed Taylor who crashed over from close range.

The scoreline of 0-49 did not flatter the Elks who demolished Bridgford in every phase of the game. They created chances and finished in style while their defensive duties were never neglected. The rapport between the players is evident and the body language clearly indicates that they are enjoying their task.

Captain Craig Charlton summed the ethos of the side "The lads are responding to what the coaches are preaching. We are a side who are prepared to back our skills but we also work hard for each other. We showed today the we are capable a side to pieces. We scored some excellent tries where the unit skills and linking play were absolutely top drawer."

Next week the Elks travel to Newark far a 3 Counties Cup 1st Round game. Kick off 2 p.m.

2nd XV 3v0 West Bridgford 2nd XV

True Grit Brings Rewards For Elks

A lowering sky highlighted the bleak industrial backdrop as Ilkeston's second XV ground out a hard fought victory over their West Bridgford counterparts at the "Stute" on Saturday.

The conditions ensured that this was game would be decided in the forwards and pack leader Dave Hartshorn led by example aided by inspirational performances from back row players Damon Holmes and Gary Marsh. David however commented, " the whole pack gave 100%, I could not have asked for any more from them!" The discipline and commitment shown by the back line marshalled by experienced scrum half Steve Martin had the small crowd of spectators applauding throughout the match, and Team Captain Simon Brown commented "this was not a game for the faint hearted and every squad member played their part admirably" Ilkeston 2nds travel to Keyworth on Saturday next and as usual any non-playing squad members and supporters are very welcome to travel with the team.

Next week the Elks are away to Keyworth in the league - kick off 2.30 p.m.