Buzzard fight back to deny Elks victory
Midlands One (East) Leighton Buzzard 13-12 Ilkeston
For the second week running the Elks made a long journey down the M1 but, unlike the previous trip to Wellingborough, this time they returned empty handed from Leighton Buzzard.
For most of the game it looked as though the visitors had done enough to take the spoils.
But with the clock entering added time the home side were rewarded for their enterprise when they struck from deep to score a try in the corner with the conversion giving them the single point victory.
The Elks' defence was called upon to repulse a flurry of early attacks and they could have gone behind on 11 minutes when a simple penalty chance was missed.
As the pressure continued, telling interventions from Steve Quinn, Adam Corcoran and Greg Taylor were needed to keep the line intact.
The line-out delivery of Adam Stoker and Bryn Vernon made the most of the accurate throwing of hooker Marc Moore to provide some respite but the home side were not to be denied and they duly took the lead after 20 minutes with a penalty from 30 metres.
The Elks should have drawn level shortly after the restart but Andy Thompson's penalty attempt fell short.
A second penalty miss on 26 minutes did not dampen the spirits and a counter attack involving Scott Rudkin, Joel Haigh and Greg Taylor from the 22 restart earned the Elks a penalty which was drilled into the corner for a line-out.
Vernon's clean take was driven over and Quinn emerged from the pile of bodies clutching the ball and claiming the score. The missed conversion left the Elks with a slender lead of 3-5.
As the Elks continued to press a strike against the head by Moore gave Thompson the chance of a snap drop goal attempt but the ball drifted wide.
From the 22 drop out Rory Maddocks' pass put Dan Mahoney on the charge to set up a ruck on the far right. The ball was secured and swiftly transferred through Rudkin and Alan Cook to McGuire.
Sensing that he would not make the line the prop moved the ball on to Lewis Taylor who dived over in the corner for his first try for the club. Haigh took over the kicking duties and duly slotted the conversion to make it 3-12 at the interval.
Realising that they needed to respond the home side went into frantic mode in the second-half, looking to keep the ball alive and move it from all areas of the park.
Breaking out of their own half they earned a penalty close to the Elks' posts. The incident also saw Rudkin sent to the sin-bin reducing the visitors to 14 men and the penalty was converted to move the score on to 6-12.
Searching for the third try, Ilkeston kicks at goal were spurned and scrums or lineouts opted for instead but determined defence prevented a score despite the pressure.
With the clock entering the final few minutes the Elks were hit by a searing break from deep which ended with a try for the home side as the winger dived into the far corner. The conversion from wide out gave the home side a 13-12 lead.
Three further minutes of added time were left to play with the Elks desperately seeking a winning score but denied by their hosts who, at the final whistle, celebrated what for much of the game seemed an unlikely victory.
Next week sees the Elks back at the Stute against local rivals Mansfield, kick-off 2.15pm.
Classic Drinks Man of the Match – Steve Quinn.
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Weather for Ilkeston
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
