Ely Tigers Match Report

The start of the 2024/25 league season in the Counties 1 Eastern Counties started with a home fixture against Diss.

The game started well for the visitors as they went into a 7th minute lead, with a converted try, Tigers were soon level as Matt McCarthy crossed the try line, with Jake Alsop adding the conversion, but back came the visitors as Tigers were unable to get a foot in the door, as they raced into a 21 – 7 lead, as half time approached Tigers added to the score board, as Jim Storey powered over the try line, Alsop was unable to add the conversion as Tigers headed to the break 21-12 behind.

The second half started very much like the first, a scrappy game, and like the first half it was Diss that added to the score board first with the award of a penalty, which Diss added to increase their lead, Diss went town to 14 as the referee awarded a penalty which Alsop opted to kick, but he pulled his kick wide of the posts.

Soon after Ely had their first try of the half on the board as they moved the from right to left to unable McCarthy added his second try of the afternoon, with Alsop adding the conversion to close the gap, moments later Tigers were level, as Grant Storey being stopped meters from the try lines, but managed to keep the ball live, probing left to right, finally finding the gaps they needed, as McCarhy’s cross field kick was caught by Declan Wolverson who in turn was able to free Paul Dewey, who finally feed Jim Storey who crossed the line to score his second try of the afternoon, with the conversion missed the score was level at 24-24, from the restart Diss had the chance to score with a penalty, the ball fell short, with time running short the game was heading for a draw, but there was still a chance for Ely , from a scrum on the right in the Diss half, Tigers moved the ball sideways once more looking for the gaps, which they found for McCarthy to score his third try of the afternoon, with Alsop adding the conversion as the final score finished with a 31-24 score.

Coach, Des Lloyd, spoke after the game to say, “we’ve done really well, getting that first win, however lots to work on over the next week, from half time we had to make some changes, and that got us to where we needed to be, so we look forward to a week of training and the trip next Saturday to Bury 2s”

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club