One of the Elks few reversals this season was away to Glossop and a tough encounter was expected as the visitors recent form has seen them drag themselves away from a potential relegation spot. The victory keeps the Elks third in the table and still chasing promotion. The home side made the perfect start by putting pressure on the visitors in the set piece with hooker Paul Dodds and his fellow front rowers Gordon Pringle and Craig Charlton claiming two strikes against the head within the first 5 minutes.

The second of these enabled no.8 Steve Quinn to pick up and make ground. A quick ruck led to a Scott Rudkin break and a secure penalty close to the Glossop line. Quick thinking by Dodds with a tap and feed to Dan Taylor caught the visitors defence napping. Taylor took full advantage and powered his way over.

Glossop's fighting spirit came to the fore and from the restart laid siege to the Elks line. Scrum ball on the right was moved into midfield , ball won at the breakdown, moved through the backs for the full back to squeeze into the corner assisted by a missed tackle.

With a solid scrummaging platform and a supply of usable line out ball courtesy of Russ Garland, Adam Stoker and Steve Quinn the Elks began to establish a rhythm. Andrew Chapman varied the game launching his backs or using his forwards to make ground around the fringes of rucks where Quinn, Stoker, Charlton and Dodds all exploited gaps and set up chances.

The pattern of play paid dividends on 20 minutes when a scrum close to the Glossop line produced quick ball. Rudkin pulled a switch with Jono Falls and his offload in the tackle put Quinn over. The Elks continued to exert pressure but a rare breakout Glossop found the Elks defence leaden footed and the resulting penalty was converted to bring the score to 10-8.

Minutes later the Elks gained the initiative when a weaving run by Jono Falls took play into the visitors 22. Scrum ball allowed Taylor to make ground through the middle and the recycled ball was well used by Rudkin who fed Hallam who touched down from close range.

Hallam was again involved in the first score of the second half. Paul Stevenson, Kyle Booth and Jono Falls countered from a deep Glossop kick. Rudkin's long pass put Hallam into space. He made ground before delivering the perfectly timed ball to Steve Mahoney who easily beat the cover to score.

Their work done to great effect Quinn and Dodds retired  to be replaced by Tom Hall and Jason Falls. These 2 slotted in seamlessly along side Pringle. A Stoker line out close to the Glossop line laid the foundation for the next try. The ball was mauled forward but collapsed by a desperate defence. Chapman tapped the penalty, Hall and Garland set up a ruck under the posts and Rudkin and Taylor combined to put Stevenson over in the corner.

To their credit Glossop quickly reduced the arrears through a converted try to make it 27-15 with 12 minutes remaining. From the restart the Elks ran the ball from deep inside their own half. Bryn Locke and Stoker drove the ball forward and found Taylor whose dash for the line earned a penalty in the 22. Quick thinking by Jono Falls saw him tap and feed Rudkin who charged over with defenders bouncing off him.

Adam Fox replaced Pringle who left the field with an ear the size of pumpkin. Fox was quickly into the action as he assisted Locke to set Jono Falls on yet another jinking run. Falls fed Rudkin who drew the full back and put Hallam in for his second try. The Elks finished with a flurry as Glossop tired. Steve Mahoney and Tom Halls combined to fashion a final try for Bryn Locke to make the final score 46-15.

Classic Brewery Man of the Match - Scott Rudkin