Ely Tigers welcomed bottom of the table North Walsham 2s for their final home game of the season, with both sides eager to finish strongly.
It was the visitors who struck first with an unconverted try. Ely responded well through Matt McCarthy, who crossed to level the scores, before Jake Alsop added the conversion to put the Tigers ahead.
Moments later, the lead was extended when Matt French charged down a clearance kick and touched down. The Tigers then opened up the gap further as John Surbey added another try, giving Ely a 17–5 advantage at half time.
The second half began brightly for North Walsham, who scored the opening two tries after the break to move 19–17 ahead. Ely responded immediately from the restart, with George Hay crossing and Alsop adding the conversion to restore the home side’s lead.
North Walsham then hit back with two unanswered tries to swing the contest again. McCarthy and Alsop combined once more to keep the Tigers in touch, but the visitors added a penalty to edge further ahead.
Ely refused to give in and Alfie Allen crossed late on, with Alsop converting to put the Tigers back in front. However, in a dramatic finish, the final play of the match saw North Walsham score the decisive try to snatch a 41–38 victory.
📸 Photo: Matt McCarthy – 2 try scorer
Steve Wells @rugby__tog photographer