Ely Tigers travelled to Woodbridge having to make further changes to the squad with players unavailable, the game started with both sides unable to get a firm grip of the game and it fell to Joel Scott Paul to put the first points on the board when he slotted over a penalty from close range. A handling error by Tigers nearly let in Woodbridge, but with the line close a knock on by the home side saved Ely from being punished, however, the Ely try line was living a charmed life as the home side pressed, but on numerous times the ball was dropped at crucial times with the try line in sight, on 25 minutes the home side went down to 14, with a yellow card being shown, which meant a reshuffle, and the chance for Ely to make the extra man count, but it was the home side that added points onto the score board, with an award of a penalty, which was completed to draw the sides level.
With the game 30 minutes old the home side scored the opening try of the afternoon, after a number of missed tackles the space opened up for Woodbridge to score, with the conversion added, on the following attack the home side increased their lead, again missed tackles didn’t help, but the home side also moved the ball around at pace from left to right before finding the space to score, the conversion was missed.
Ely finally came into the game, a number of good scrums giving them territory, but the home side stood firm until the half time break.
The second started with the home side on the front foot again where only some firm defending prevent the Tigers going further behind, Tigers finally got across the try line with Jim Storey helping the ball over the try line, Scott Paul was unable to add the further points, moments later only a last ditch tackle from Scott Paul prevented the home side crossing the try line once more.
Woodbridge were awarded a penalty and decided to kick for the points but ball was pulled to the left and dropped short and enabled Tigers to kick to touch to clear the danger, but the home side quickly got on with the game, taking the line out and piling pressure onto Ely once more, and the pressure told, winning another penalty, opting to kick again, this time the kick was successful, with Ely trying to get their passing game working an intercepted pass on the half way line gave Woodbridge an unchallenged path across the try line to complete the scoring and the win. Final Score 25 – 8 to Woodbridge.
Talking after the game Chairman, Chris Day said, “plenty to work on in training this week, and fingers crossed we get some players back for next weeks home fixture against Wisbech”
Match report and Photographs Steve Wells
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