Ely Tigers played Cantabs on Saturday afternoon at the Cambridge Commodities Park, again they were forced into changes to the starting XV, however they welcomed Tom Gunbie who was handed his debut for the senior squad, having played at every level possible at the club.
A bright start for the home side saw an early penalty, but the early chance to post some points on the board went begging as the ball drifted wide on the post, but it wasn’t long after that the home sides pressure paid off, as the returning Jake Alsop crossed the try line, with Matt McCarthy adding the conversion, the lead was soon to be doubled as Jim Reed crossed the line, with a difficult cross field wind the conversion was unable to be added.
Advantage played for Ely, passing the ball across the pitch, finally fining McCarthy who was able to put the ball down with an outstretched arm to score, the conversion was added by McCarthy, the bonus point try was soon to follow, with another ruthless attack, that saw Ricky Neale burst free to go over in the corner. With half time approaching, Ely crosses the line again, with Lee Thompson sprinting forward to score his first try of the afternoon, with the conversion added the lead was 31 points, deep into added time of the first half, saw Thompson with a quick fire double as he adds his second try of the afternoon with McCarthy adding the conversion.
Opening attack of the second half saw Cantabs on the front foot, moving the ball around enabling then to cross for the try, but they were unable to add the conversion, Tigers were soon back on the front foot with Matt French going over for a try, McCarthy was unable to add the conversion as he watched the ball bounce off the upright, and fall the wrong side to safety.
From a Ely line out, deep in the Cantabs half saw Ely win the ball and push back Cantabs, towards the try line, once close Matt French was able to touchdown the ball for his second try, again conversion was missed, from another line out close to the Cantabs try line, saw Thompson bundle over the line for hist hat-trick try, and Tigers cross the 50 point mark.
Cantabs were next on the scoreboard, with possibly the best move of the game, a quickly taken penalty in their own half, pushed Ely back, a nudged kick forward bounced and fell kindly for the Cantabs forward who was able to dive over the line to score, it was a brief rest for Cantabs as Tigers went on the attack, with try’s from Jim Reed, who broke from his home half to score under the posts, with the conversion added, as Tigers crossed the 60 point mark, there was still time for a further try as Cantabs went down to 14 after a yellow card, a scrum to Ely, saw the ball out at 8, where Ely played reverse pass, the ball onto the wing were McCarthy set up Dan Piper to score in the corner, conversion missed, as the full time whistle blew as the final score finished with a 65-10 win.
Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club
Photo credit: Steve Wells
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