Ilkeston 15-0 West Bridgford
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The first day of
British Summer Time may have arrived at the Stute on Saturday but the
conditions were more in keeping with deep mid-winter with a howling gale
and driving rain. To expect quality flowing rugby in such conditions was
to ask a great deal. The conditions dominated the style of play with 2
evenly matched packs slugging it out only releasing the ball to the backs
as a last resort. There was the occasional glimmer to lighten the gloom
provided by full back Jono Falls with cameos by Alan Cook, Mark Hooton,
and Dan Mahoney.
The game called for those who battle and scrap for possession and the Elks had those in plenty, with man of the match, Steve Mahoney, Ben Newton, Andrew Chapman, and Gordon Pringle producing impressive tackle counts. The early exchanges were very even with both sets of forwards employing the rolling maul or pick and drive. When the ball was moved the tackling in midfield allowed little room for manoeuvre with both sets of backs cancelling each other out. The Elks scrum was solid with Pringle, Simon Hallam, and Craig Charlton providing the platform from which Chapman could dictate matters. Despite the influence of the wind Russ Garland, Adam Stoker, and Bryn Locke provided a supply of line out ball which was generally turned into rolling mauls as a means of gaining territorial advantage. It was 22 minutes before any back play of note brought a buzz to the game. Jono Falls fielded a wayward kick and set up a promising attacking position close to Bridgford's line. As halftime approached Falls again was involved. This time his catch inside his own half and touchline hugging run which had the Bridgford winger dazzled, set up a ruck inside the visitors 22. Swift transfer by Hooton and Cook fed Dan Mahoney who broke a tackle and dived over. Falls conversion took the Elks lead to 7-0 at half time. The following 30 minutes saw Bridgford apply pressure in search of a score. They camped inside the Elks 22 but were denied by superb defence, including being held up over the line on 2 occasions. The onslaught took its tool causing Garland, Charlton and Hallam to depart the fray and be replaced by Wes Upton, Jason Falls, and Tom Hall. The fresh legs in the pack gave the home side an edge in the scrum, and another piece of inspirational play from Jono Falls made the game safe with 7 minutes left. He fielded the ball inside his own 22 and combined with wing John Britton and forward Locke to take play the length of the field. The ball emerged quickly from the ruck, Hooton fed Cook and his long pass gave Matt Corrigan space to squeeze in the corner. As the clock ticked away Bridgford again applied pressure but the home sides determination to keep their line intact left the final score 15-0 Man of the Match - Steve Mahoney. |