On a wet Saturday afternoon, Ely Tigers were still searching for their first win of the season as they fell to a 29–22 defeat against Saffron Walden. Once again, the Tigers were unable to field their strongest starting fifteen due to player availability.
Saffron Walden made an immediate impact, scoring a converted try under the posts inside the opening two minutes to take an early seven nil lead. The Tigers regrouped and gradually worked their way back into the contest. In 11 minutes, Walden missed the chance to extend their lead when a penalty drifted just wide of the posts. However, by the 21st minute, the visitors added an unconverted try to move 12-0 ahead.
Walden increased their advantage in the first half stoppage time, finishing off a spell of free flowing rugby with a converted try to lead nineteen nil. From the restart, some positive play from the Tigers saw Mitch Kennett cross the try line following strong work from Jordan Barnes, sending the teams into the break at 19–5.
The second half saw Walden extend their lead further with another converted try, making it 26–5. The momentum shifted when Walden were reduced to fourteen players following a yellow card and Ely took full advantage. The Tigers responded with two quick tries to close the gap to 17–26, reigniting hope among the travelling support.
A penalty in front of the posts allowed Walden to keep the scoreboard ticking over and move to 29–17, but Ely were not finished. Jordan Barnes crossed for the Tigers once more to reduce the deficit to 22–29. Despite continued pressure in the closing stages, time ran out and the referee brought the match to an end.
Ely Tigers will look to build on the positives from this performance as they travel to fifth placed Colchester at the end of November. Please note there will be no match report from this game.
📸 Photo: Try scorer Jordan Barnes