MARKET Rasen & Louth RUFC will look to maintain their winning form when they take on Kettering on Saturday.
This week marks the half-way point of the league programme – and the Red and Greens go into the clash on a high following a 22-17 win away at Ilkeston last week.
A mixture of skill, good luck and downright bloody mindedness resulted in a good victory for Rasen.
There was drama early on when Ilkeston winger Isaac Taylor appeared to be on for a simple try.
Incredibly, Taylor suffered a 'geographical malfunction' and over-ran the small dead ball area to touch down outside the field of play.
The Red and Greens made their way back up the sloping field and punished Ilkeston as they conceded their first penalty. Meehal Grint was successful with the kick.
The Elks continued with their high-tempo, game, causing Rasen to spill the ball in midfield just outside their own twenty two. Ilkeston took full advantage and number eight Simon Bennett charged down the touchline to score in the corner.
Rasen hit back when Matt Sutton forced his way over the line, following good work by Henry Spencer. Grint converted successfully.
Ilkeston stormed back when Taylor made amends for his earlier gaffe to score.
The home side now had their tails up – but they were soon undone by their own attacking ambition.
A long pass failed to reach its target and fell to the ground. Alert winger Peter Everton hacked the loose ball forward and, as he pursued his kick, the ball obligingly bounced up into his arms as he was in full stride.
After skipping through the last tackle, he crossed the whitewash to give Rasen a 15-10 half-time lead.
Rasen maintained their momentum after the break and kept Ilkeston pinned deep in their own territory.
As the ball broke loose, skipper Dave Starling was on hand to re-gather and set off on a mesmerising run that bamboozled the home defence as he made his way to the line. Grint added the conversion.
Ilkeston battled on and cut the deficit when their forwards rumbled over the line, with Bennett the scorer. Jonathan Falls landed his only successful kick of the day to bring Ilkeston within five points, with nine minutes still to play.
Rasen were forced to continue with the rearguard action – but held on until the final whistle for another win.
