Ely Tigers opened their 2025/26 season with a spirited home performance against newly promoted West Norfolk. Under the new leadership team of former players Tim Mills and Ricky Neale, the Tigers showed early promise but narrowly lost 19–17 in a tense encounter at the Pocock + Shaw Ground.
Within ten minutes, Coby Guerrero crossed the line for Ely’s first try of the season, confidently converted by Jake Alsop. West Norfolk quickly replied with a breakaway try but failed to add the extras. A well-taken penalty from Alsop extended the Tigers’ lead to 10–5, yet West again found a gap in the Ely defence to edge ahead.
Before half-time, Mitch Kennett powered through the visitors’ back line to score, with Alsop adding the conversion to send Ely into the break 17–12 ahead.
The second half remained tightly contested, neither side able to dominate possession. The turning point came on 55 minutes when Charlie Coupland was shown a yellow card. While reduced to fourteen men, Ely conceded a converted try, allowing West Norfolk to take a 19–17 lead — a scoreline that held until the final whistle.
Despite the narrow loss, the Tigers’ renewed energy and teamwork set a positive tone for the season ahead.
📸 Photo: Try-scorer Mitch Kennett – @rugby__tog photographer
🏠 Ely Tigers RFC – Cambridgeshire RFU