Super Elks power back to the top of the league

Midlands 1 East

ILKESTON powered back to the top of the league after a 15-8 home win over Northamptonians.

It was sweet revenge after their 32-24 defeat in Northampton.

The breakdowns, as expected, were fiercely fought and Elks won a penalty when ON's went off their feet. Haigh put his kick straight down the middle for a 3-0 lead.

The visitors hit back from a quick tap penalty. The ball was recycled to the right where ON's scored in the corner on 27 minutes. The conversion was missed.

Ben Wells was replaced by Ryan Mills two minutes later.

Again the Elks were penalised at the breakdown and an easy penalty enabled ON's to extend their lead on 38 minutes.

ON's were then penalised, giving Haigh a difficult shot at goal on the stroke of half-time.

Elks now had the slope and came out firing in the second half. Dean Chapman came on for Josh Meakin after 50 minutes.

Then a loose kick was well fielded by Falls who fed Greg Taylor. then went on a fantastic run to cover 60m and score under the posts. Haigh's kick put Elks 10-8 ahead.

Wells came on for Mills on 60 minutes with all to play for. Tom Pottinger replaced Steve Quinn on 75 minutes.

Elks drove forward looking to seal the win. Corcoran broke bounced off the first tackler and then crashed over on 78 minutes. The kick wasmissed.

ON's were too eager at the kick off and were penalised for being in front of the kicker.

Elks stole the line out and Haigh kicked the ball dead.

National League 3 (Mids)

Bottom side Derby finally got their first win of the season, beating rivals Mansfield 30-0 at Haslams Lane.

Mansfield called up veterans Terry Davies and Will Rushby and they both performed admirably for the full 80 minutes.

Colt Jack Parr was pressed into fly-half duty, while flanker Joe Symcox moved into the centre.

On a cold and wet day, the home side took the lead after seven minutes with a penalty from fit-again Nathan Burton.

Derby lost Luke Wilmott, back after a lengthy lay-off, to a yellow card for a crunching tackle on Jimmy Hooper after 15 minutes.

The visitors were unable to make the most of the one man advantage as the lineout did not function particularly well and good field position was lost as a result.

In fact, it was Derby who scored again with a try from Ben Marlow after 24 minutes.

The home pack wrapped up the first half at 13-0 with a controlled drive from the visitors 22, enabling scrum-half Phil Robinson to double the try count.

Five minutes after the break Derby won yet another line-out. The packed rolled on and Charlie Esberger dropped down for a try to make it 18-0.

Derby piled on the pressure and after 55 minutes Adam Glover claimed a try and a bonus point.

Skipper Phil Donaldson received a yellow card just after this. The home pack took full advantage of the man short in the scrum.

On 61 minutes, Tom Taylor-Dawes, who had been a rock at the back of the scrum, deservedly touched down a Derby pushover try. Burton converted to round off the scoring to avenge the 44-9 defeat earlier in the season.

Mansfield introduced young Toby Lieber at loose head and he proved he has a bright future ahead of him.

Harry Roberts also joined the action in the second half, but Mansfield were unable to unpick the home defence.