Ely Tigers edged out by Shelford 2s in home league fixture

Ely Tigers 26 – 38 Shelford 2s

Ely Tigers opened the first of three home league fixtures with the visit of Shelford 2s, with both sides looking to pick up valuable points. Once again, the home side were forced into changes to the starting fifteen.

The match began with Ely on the back foot. Shelford were awarded an early penalty and opted to kick for goal from just inside the Ely half, but the effort drifted wide. The visitors soon opened the scoring with their next attack, moving the ball quickly to the wing where they had the overlap to score in the corner. The conversion was missed, giving Shelford a 5–0 lead.

Within ten minutes, Shelford doubled their advantage with a near identical move, again finishing out wide. Another missed conversion made it 10–0. A successful penalty followed shortly after to extend the lead to 13–0, before Shelford crossed once more in the corner, this time adding the conversion to take a 20–0 lead.

Ely responded through Tom Green, who crossed the line early in the half, although Jake Alsop was unable to add the conversion. The visitors quickly secured their bonus point try, but the Tigers hit back again as Green scored his second try, with Alsop converting to bring Ely back into the contest. However, the half ended with a setback for the home side, as both Lory Martin and Green were forced off through injury, prompting another reshuffle.

Shelford struck first in the second half, capitalising on a dropped ball to score. Ely were then reduced to fourteen men after Matt French received a yellow card. While a man down, Shelford extended their lead further.

Ely showed resilience and responded through Mitch Kennett, who went over under the posts, with Alsop adding the conversion to reduce the deficit to 35–19. The Tigers continued to press and were rewarded with their fourth try, securing a bonus point. A strong carry from Matt McCarthy was held up close to the line, but he managed to offload to Coby Guerrero, who dived over to score, bringing the score to 35–26.

As full time approached, Shelford were awarded a penalty and opted to kick for goal. The successful kick sealed the result, with the visitors running out 38–26 winners.

📸 Photos @rugby__tog photographer:
Matt McCarthy
Jake Alsop