As with recent games the game was won upfront where the forwards provided a steady stream of quality ball which was put to good use by the backs. Lincoln simply had no answer to the ball carrying power of the Elks 8 and the pace, invention and support play of the backs.

The front row of Gordon Pringle, Simon Hallam, and Tom Hall were steady as a rock with Hallam having his best game for the club. His line out throwing proved accurate despite the strong wind and allowed Russ Garland, Adam Stoker, and Steve Quinn to dominate that area of play. The loss of Hall early in the first half and Steve Quinn just before half time could have disrupted proceedings  but their replacements Craig Charlton and Bryn Locke slotted seemlessly.

The early minutes gave no indication of what the final score would be when Lincolns Caverley put the visitors in front following a number of errors by the Elks defence. They tightened their game and aware of the elements kept the ball in hand and used the forwards to drive the ball on. Their efforts were rewarded when a Quinn drive, supported by Steve Mahoney provided Alan Cook with quick ball. His chip ball in behind the defence was gathered by Dan Taylor for the first of his three tries. Jono Falls conversion gave the Elks the lead at 7-5.

The visitors made good use of the wind to pin the Elks inside their own half and the pressure paid off with a penalty converted by Cheffins. The Elks finished the half strongly and could have regained the lead if breaks by Andrew Chapman and Scott Rudkin had found support.

The early minutes of the second half decided the game. A Stoker line out take was driven over for Steve Mahoney to claim the try. Minutes later his brother Dan used his pace to good effect when swift hands by Cook, Taylor, and Ben Thornton created space which he exploited to score in the corner . From the restart forwards and backs combined to take play the length of the park with Steve Mahoney on hand to finish and claim the try.

The feat was repeated when Lincoln kicked off. George Darby fielded and broke two tackles. Bryn Locke and Craig Charlton took the ball on. Swift transfer by Rudkin and Jono Falls put Taylor into space for his second try. Taylor completed his hat trick courtesy of a seering break by Dan Mahoney, who left the field to loud applause, to be replaced by Jon Britton. Falls conversions of the flurry of tries brought the score to 38-8 and the Elks out of sight. Not content with kicking goals  Falls claimed the first of his two tries following a Garland line out take catch and drive.

As the game entered the last quarter the Elks relaxed and Lincoln redoubled their efforts in the hope making the score line more respectable. They clawed their way back with 2 tries through Dalgleish and Ferguson one converted by Cheffins. As the final whistle approached Jono Falls scored his second try when a switch with Cook put him away. The conversion of his own try made the final score 52-18

Classic Brewery Man of the Match - Andrew Chapman