Ely Tigers travelled to league leaders, Shelford II’s, hoping to carry forward the form they showed a week earlier against Bury IIs.
Again the side was forced into changes, it was the home side that point the first points on the board, with their first meaningful attack, forcing an error in the Tigers backline, forcing a knock on penalty, which result in the home side scoring a try, with the conversion added, the next drive same them add their second try as they crossed the try line in the corner, the conversion was failed to be added, but the opening attacks looked like it was going to be a tough afternoon for Ely, however they started to get a foothold into the game, and it was Tigers that got on the scoreline line, and it all came about as Ely had a try ruled out, giving the chance for the home side to clear their lines, giving the ball straight back to Ely, Ely pushed forward eventually Jim Storey going over the try line under the posts, with Matt McCarthy adding the conversion to close the gap.
The game started to settle down with both sides pushing forward with neither able to find the gaps, again it was the home side that scored next, Shelford kicked forward to try to gain some meters, the ball fell just short to catch, instead they opted to kick the ball clear to regroup, the ball fell nicely in front of the posts for the home side, they looked up and opted for the drop goal, the home side was able to increase their lead soon after with a penalty which they scored to open an 11 point lead.
Ely was awarded a penalty, they opted to tap and go, and attack the home side, working the ball out and back towards the centre where Mitch Kennett crossed the line under the posts, again McCarthy was able to add the conversion to close the gap at half time to 18-14
Second half saw the home score first again, a series of penalty’s, the last being under the posts that they quickly took, moving the ball out to the wing to score unchallenged, with the conversion added, the gap opened once again, Ely pressure sees them add another try, moving the ball from side to side, finding Luke Turner to score, with the conversion added by McCarthy to close the gap to 4 points.
Missed tackles proved the downfall for Ely, as Shelford score another try to extend their lead, to close the game off, as the gap went to 9 points, on the stroke of full time Ely went down to 14 as Grant Storey was shown a yellow card for a late tackle, at the restart the home side knocked the ball in to touch to signal of the game.
Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club
Photo credit: Steve Wells
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