The rain that has swept the county meant a delayed start to the game, as the players from Cantabs swept the pitch, but the pitch was still unsafe to play, so players, and supporters crossed the road to play at Long Road College.
8 minutes on the clock, and the first try of the game came as Ely pressed into Cantabs half for the first time, seeing Matt French crossing the line, Paul Dewey was unable to add the conversion, from the restart Cantabs win a penalty, in front of the posts, and opted to kick for the points, to close the gap to 2 points, the game was going end to end, Tigers soon had the chance to add more points to the board, winning another penalty opting to kick for the points, the chance was missed.
A charge down clearance by the home side, saw them take the lead, as they broke down the wing to score in the corner, the conversion was missed, but it meant Tigers where in touching distance of the hosts.
The next home attack saw a carbon copy move, but the Ely defence stood firm, a number of scrums lead to Cantabs pressure on the Ely back line, but they stood firm, the game started to settle down, as both sides failing to get a grip. as half time approached Matt McCarthy went in over the try line, after good work from new signing Jeremy Darley, the conversion added as Tigers went into the half time break 12-8.
First score of the second half went to the Tigers, a break from Darely, backed up by McCarthy as he went across to score, conversion added, as the lead was increased, the game started to swing Tigers way, as they applied pressure on the home side, Matt French breaks as the try line comes into sight, the ball pops up and first to react was Jerome Scott Paul who carried over the line to score, the conversion added, Cantabs score in the corner, as they slip pass tackles, conversion missed, but any chance of the home side to come back into the game were soon dismissed as a Penalty advantage was played as McCarthy broke free to score under the posts, the conversion was charged down, Tigers pressed the home back line to win a scrum with the try like in sight, a rolling maul took the ball across the line as Jim Storey managed to get the ball down, the conversion was missed.
The final try came as Tigers failed to take their foot of the gas as they applied more pressure on the home side, with McCarthy added his fourth try of the game, the conversion was added as the game finished with a convincing 43-13.
The league takes a break next week before they welcome Wisbech on the 4th November.
Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club
Photo credit: Steve Wells
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