The Tigers absorbed a lot of pressure early on as Thurston were pumped from the off. Disaster struck when Ely had a man red carded. Afterwards Thurston scored from an Ely error when the ball was knocked-on and fly-hacked through, the opposition won the chase and dotted down for a converted try. Thurston then lost a man to the sin bin and consistent pressure from Ely finally paid off when Luke Cornwell touched down in the corner at the back of a rolling maul.
In the second half Ely’s fitness started to show and Thurston were unable to deal with the Tigers’ attack. Jacob Muncey went over twice for a brace of tries and then Ryan Edgeworth crossed the whitewash to add the bonus point for Ely. Thurston lost another two players to the sin bin (at separate times). Ely gained a scrum on the five metre the ball came out and a well worked back move saw Ryan Clark slice straight through the opposition defence and touch down for a converted try. Ely then conceded a few penalties and Thurston were camped on the five-metre line. The Tigers defence held strong and Thurston were only able to get the three points. In the final play of the game the Tigers shipped it wide to Luke Turner who sprinted round two defenders a dotted down for a final try. Man of the match went to Grant Storey for a solid performance in the loose play.
The final score 38-10
Press release from Ely Tigers rugby club
Photo credit: Steve Wells
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