The game got off to the perfect start for the Tigers as captain Joel Scott Paul opened the scoring. Tom Gunbie added the conversion to give Ely an early lead.

The home side responded quickly to level the scores, but Scott Paul struck again for his second try of the match. Gunbie added the extras once more before Mitch Kennett crossed for Ely’s third try, with Gunbie maintaining his perfect record from the tee.

That gave the Tigers a healthy advantage, but Newmarket battled back to reduce the gap before edging in front with a penalty. Ely responded through Gunbie, who slotted a penalty of his own to restore the lead before half time.

The second half saw Newmarket regain the advantage with a converted try to move ahead once more. Ely continued to fight and Gunbie crossed for a crucial try to level the scores at 29–29.

With the match deep into injury time, Newmarket found one final attack and crossed for the decisive score, sealing a 36–29 victory.

The result leaves Ely in the bottom three with one league fixture remaining, as they travel to West Norfolk for the final game of the season.

Photo : Man Of The Match George Hay

Steve Wells @rugby__tog photographer

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It was the visitors who struck first with an unconverted try. Ely responded well through Matt McCarthy, who crossed to level the scores, before Jake Alsop added the conversion to put the Tigers ahead.

Moments later, the lead was extended when Matt French charged down a clearance kick and touched down. The Tigers then opened up the gap further as John Surbey added another try, giving Ely a 17–5 advantage at half time.

The second half began brightly for North Walsham, who scored the opening two tries after the break to move 19–17 ahead. Ely responded immediately from the restart, with George Hay crossing and Alsop adding the conversion to restore the home side’s lead.

North Walsham then hit back with two unanswered tries to swing the contest again. McCarthy and Alsop combined once more to keep the Tigers in touch, but the visitors added a penalty to edge further ahead.

Ely refused to give in and Alfie Allen crossed late on, with Alsop converting to put the Tigers back in front. However, in a dramatic finish, the final play of the match saw North Walsham score the decisive try to snatch a 41–38 victory.

Photo: Matt McCarthy – 2 try scorer

Steve Wells @rugby__tog photographer

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The game did not start well for the Tigers, who fell behind to an early unconverted try. Ely responded quickly, with Jake Alsop slotting a penalty to reduce the deficit. However, Colchester struck again with a converted try to extend their lead.

Alsop then took control, scoring three tries to bring the game level at 12–12. Momentum swung firmly in Ely’s favour as George Hay crossed to give the home side a 17–12 lead. Hay added his second soon after, with Alsop converting to extend the lead to 24–12.

As half time approached, the Tigers continued to press, with tries from Josh Flanders and Joel Scott Paul, along with another Alsop conversion, giving Ely a commanding 36–12 lead at the break.

Colchester came out strongly in the second half, scoring two quick tries to close the gap. Alfie Allen responded for the Tigers to stretch the lead back out to ten points. Matt French then added another try, with Alsop converting to keep Ely in control.

The visitors had the final say with a late score, but the Tigers had already done enough to secure a 48–40 victory in an entertaining, high scoring contest.

Photos:
Alfie Allen and Josh Flanders – try scorers
Matt French and Mitch Kennett

Ely Tigers RFC

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The Tigers started brightly, putting the home side under early pressure, but were unable to turn territory into points. Saffron Walden capitalised on a loose ball to break the deadlock after 15 minutes.

From there, momentum shifted firmly in favour of the home side, who added a series of tries to build a commanding 33–0 lead at half time.

Ely responded early in the second half with a penalty try to get on the scoreboard. However, Saffron Walden continued to press, adding three more tries to push beyond the 50 point mark.

The Tigers kept battling and were rewarded with a try from Tom Green. Alfie Allen soon added another, with Tom Gunbie converting, as Ely continued to show character despite the scoreline.

The home side added two further tries late on to seal a 71–19 victory.

Photos:
Alfie Allen – try scorer
Ben Bridge – senior debut

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It was the home side who started sharply, crossing in the corner early on, though the conversion was missed. Southwold added a second try after 16 minutes to lead 12–0. During that passage of play, Ely were reduced to 14 men after Matt French was shown a yellow card.

The pressure continued, with Southwold adding a third try, this time converted, to extend the lead to 19–0. From a scrum deep inside their own half, the hosts moved the ball the length of the pitch to score again, converting to make it 26–0.

From the restart, Southwold once more ran the ball from deep to score a further converted try, taking a commanding 31–0 lead into half time.

The second half began brightly for the Tigers. A kick through was collected deep by John Surbury, who linked up with Adam Tallack before Surbury powered over for Ely’s first try. Matt McCarthy added the conversion to reduce the deficit.

Any momentum was short lived, as Southwold responded from a scrum on the left, moving the ball wide to score in the corner, adding the conversion to make it 38–7. A dropped ball deep in the Southwold half was then intercepted and returned for another unconverted try, stretching the score to 42–7.

The Tigers had the final say of the match, with Alfie Allen crossing the line. McCarthy converted to complete the scoring, as the game finished 42–14.

Alfie Allen was named Man of the Match.

The Tigers will return to action on 28 February, when they face Ipswich YM in a crucial relegation clash.

Steve Wells, @rugby__tog photographer, Ely Tigers RFC – Cambridgeshire RFU

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The home side suffered a blow before kick off, losing captain Luke Turner after he broke his fibula in the weeks following the defeat against Bury IIs. Despite the setback, the Tigers started brightly.

With just ten minutes on the clock, Adam Tallack crossed the line for the opening try, with Jake Alsop adding the conversion to give Ely a 7–0 lead. The Tigers doubled their advantage after 22 minutes when Joel Scott Paul touched down, again converted by Alsop, making it 14–0.

Tallack added his second try of the afternoon on the half hour mark, with Alsop converting once more to extend the lead to 21–0. However, Stowmarket responded immediately from the restart with a converted try. Momentum swung quickly as Stowmarket added two further tries before the break, levelling the score at 21–21 and leaving the Tigers stunned at half time.

Stowmarket struck first in the second half, taking the lead through a penalty try, which also saw Ely reduced to 14 men after Declan Wolverson was shown a yellow card. Despite being a man down, the Tigers showed resilience, with Joel Scott Paul scoring his second try of the game to keep Ely within two points.

Stowmarket then added two further tries to move 38–26 ahead, but the Tigers refused to go away. Captain Matt McCarthy crossed for a converted try to reduce the gap to five points. With time running out, Tallack completed his hat trick, and Alsop added the crucial conversion to put Ely back in front.

The Tigers held on to secure a dramatic 40–38 victory, sealing a vital win in front of the home crowd.

This week, the Tigers travel to the Suffolk coast to face Southwold. Maximum points would see Ely close the gap and move above the Suffolk side in the league.

Photos:
Joel Scott Paul
Hat trick hero – Adam Tallack

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The game got off to the perfect start for the Tigers, with Jake Alsop slotting a penalty inside the opening minutes to give Ely an early lead. However, Bury responded quickly, pushing the Tigers back over the try line from their next attack, adding the conversion to lead 7–3.

Bury continued to apply pressure, skipping tackles to score another converted try and extend their advantage to 14–3. Ely hit back through Josh Flanders, who scored his first try for the senior side, diving over in the corner. Alsop was unable to convert, leaving the score at 14–8.

The visitors regained momentum with a jinking run to cross for another try, though the conversion was missed. Further pressure saw Bury secure their bonus point try and then add another score from left to right, again without converting, to move 24–8 ahead.

From the restart, Bury crossed for their fifth try. Despite missed conversions, Ely responded positively. From close range, Matthew French powered over, with Alsop converting to reduce the deficit to 29–15.

Bury struck again from an Ely line out with a converted try, but there was still time before the break for Ely to respond. Alfie Allen crossed the line, with Alsop adding the conversion to leave the half time score at 36–22. During this period, Bury were reduced to 14 following a yellow card.

Bury struck immediately after the restart, scoring in the corner to extend their lead. They continued to edge the scoreboard towards the 50 point mark with another unconverted try, making it 47–22. A second yellow card reduced Bury to 13 men, and Ely took advantage, with Coby Guerrero crossing for the Tigers’ fourth try to secure a bonus point.

As Ely pushed forward again, a misplaced pass was intercepted and Bury raced the length of the pitch to score, converting the chance. Deep into second half injury time, Bury added two further tries to inflict the Tigers’ heaviest defeat of the season, with the match finishing 67–27 to the visitors.

Next weekend, the Tigers face Stowmarket, currently second in the league.

Photos @rugby__tog photographer:
Josh Flanders – first senior try
Coby Guerrero – try scorer

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The home side started brightly, scoring inside the opening five minutes with an unconverted try to take an early 5–0 lead. Ipswich soon doubled their advantage with another unconverted try in the corner, before a third score shortly after, this time converted, pushed the home side 17–0 ahead.

Ely responded well. Jake Alsop broke free before John Surbey finished the move, with Alsop adding the conversion to reduce the deficit. Momentum continued to swing as Luke Turner then ran in unchallenged under the posts, again converted by Alsop, bringing the score back to 17–14 after 22 minutes.

Ipswich regrouped and exploited space down the left hand side, stretching the lead with a series of tries, both converted and unconverted, to take a commanding 36–14 advantage into the half time break.

The hosts struck early in the second half, scoring from a scrum deep in the Tigers half, breaking blindside with the conversion added. As the fog rolled in, the remainder of the game became scrappy with neither side able to fully take control.

Ipswich edged towards the 50 point mark late on, crossing for a final converted try to seal the match, with the game finishing 50–14 to the home side.

Try scorer: Luke Turner

Photo credit: Steve Wells (@rugby__tog)
Ely Tigers RFC

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The Tigers made a fast start, crossing the try line inside the opening five minutes when Joel Scott Paul finished well, with Matt McCarthy adding the conversion. The game settled shortly after, with McCarthy extending the lead through a well-taken penalty.

Returning to the squad, Grant Storey marked his comeback by getting on the scoresheet to push the lead to 15–0. Mitchell Kennett then crossed before the break, giving Ely a commanding 20–0 half-time lead, despite finishing the half with fourteen players.

Early in the second half, Jake Alsop added three more points from the tee. Newmarket responded strongly with two converted tries, reducing the deficit to 23–14 and briefly shifting momentum.

Ely regained control when McCarthy crossed for his own try and converted, restoring a comfortable lead. Although Newmarket managed a late score, the Tigers held firm to see out a deserved 30–21 victory.

As the team heads into the Christmas break, Ely Tigers remain in the bottom two of the table but sit just 2 points off ninth place, with several crucial fixtures to come in January against teams close to them on the table.

Photos: Try scorers Matt McCarthy and Mitchell Kennett – @rugby__tog photographer

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Saffron Walden made an immediate impact, scoring a converted try under the posts inside the opening two minutes to take an early seven nil lead. The Tigers regrouped and gradually worked their way back into the contest. In 11 minutes, Walden missed the chance to extend their lead when a penalty drifted just wide of the posts. However, by the 21st minute, the visitors added an unconverted try to move 12-0 ahead.

Walden increased their advantage in the first half stoppage time, finishing off a spell of free flowing rugby with a converted try to lead nineteen nil. From the restart, some positive play from the Tigers saw Mitch Kennett cross the try line following strong work from Jordan Barnes, sending the teams into the break at 19–5.

The second half saw Walden extend their lead further with another converted try, making it 26–5. The momentum shifted when Walden were reduced to fourteen players following a yellow card and Ely took full advantage. The Tigers responded with two quick tries to close the gap to 17–26, reigniting hope among the travelling support.

A penalty in front of the posts allowed Walden to keep the scoreboard ticking over and move to 29–17, but Ely were not finished. Jordan Barnes crossed for the Tigers once more to reduce the deficit to 22–29. Despite continued pressure in the closing stages, time ran out and the referee brought the match to an end.

Ely Tigers will look to build on the positives from this performance as they travel to fifth placed Colchester at the end of November. Please note there will be no match report from this game.

Photo: Try scorer Jordan Barnes

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The Tigers started brightly, with Tom Green crossing for the opening try and Matt McCarthy adding the extras. Luke Turner then powered over for a second, extending the lead to 14-0. A handling error gave YM a way back, narrowing the score to 14-5.

Ely responded strongly from a lineout deep in YM territory, with Lee Thompson crashing over and McCarthy converting to make it 21-5. YM struck back with two quick tries — one from a fortunate bounce after a clearance kick — cutting the gap to just two points at the break, 21-19.

The second half saw both sides battle hard for territory. YM edged ahead with an unconverted try before Ely’s Jordan Barnes went over in the corner, McCarthy narrowly missing the conversion. An intercepted pass gifted YM another converted try, taking them 31-26 ahead.

With time running out, Ely showed their resilience as Turner grabbed his second try of the afternoon. McCarthy’s conversion nudged the Tigers in front 33-31. But in dramatic fashion, YM were awarded a penalty in added time — successfully kicking three points to snatch a 34-33 victory.

Final score: Ipswich YM 34 – 33 Ely Tigers

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After last week’s loss to Shelford, Ely Tigers faced further injury challenges ahead of their home fixture against Southwold RFC. Despite the setbacks, the Tigers started brightly, playing with renewed pace and determination in front of the home crowd at the Pocock + Shaw Ground.

Ely took an early lead when they turned over a Southwold lineout, with Alfie Allen diving over for the opening try. Jake Alsop added the conversion to make it 7-0. Southwold hit back quickly, capitalising on a defensive error to score and convert, before Ely responded through Scott Macfarlane, who was driven over from a lineout. Alsop again added the extras.

The visitors levelled the score with another converted try, but Ely soon regained control when John Surby was brought down just short of the line. The referee awarded a penalty try, also reducing Southwold to 14 men.

Southwold refused to back down, breaking from deep inside their own half to score under the posts and draw level again. They then took the lead with a quick counterattack following an Ely restart, though the conversion missed. Alsop reduced the gap with a well-placed penalty to make it a two-point game.

In the closing stages, Southwold added a converted try and a penalty to extend their lead. Ely kept pressing and were rewarded late on as Allen crossed again in the corner, with Matt McCarthy converting to bring the final score to 39–31.

Despite the defeat, the Tigers showed grit and attacking flair, demonstrating their ability to compete strongly even with a reshuffled side.

Photos: Try-scorers Alfie Allen & John Surby – @rugby__tog photographer
Ely Tigers RFC – Cambridgeshire RFU

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After a two-week break, Ely Tigers returned to league action at the Pocock + Shaw Ground, hosting Ipswich RFC in difficult weather conditions brought by Storm Amy. Despite a strong start, the Tigers fell short as Ipswich claimed a 24–10 win.

Ely struck first when Matt McCarthy crossed the line following a well-worked team move. His conversion attempt drifted wide, leaving the hosts five points ahead. Ipswich were soon reduced to 14 players, but Ely couldn’t make the numerical advantage count.

The visitors responded by moving the ball wide to exploit space and scored their opening try, successfully converting to take the lead. In the second half, Ipswich extended their advantage with another unconverted try, then capitalised on a loose Ely pass deep in the visitors’ half to run in a third.

Ely rallied as John Surby appeared to have grounded the ball, but the referee ruled it held up. From the ensuing restart, Ely’s pressure paid off as McCarthy powered over for his second try. Any hopes of a late comeback were dashed when Ipswich added one final try to close out a 24–10 victory.

Though the result didn’t go their way, the Tigers displayed grit and flashes of attacking promise in blustery conditions.

Photo: Try-scorer Matt McCarthy – @rugby__tog photographer
Ely Tigers RFC – Cambridgeshire RFU

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Ely Tigers travelled to Stowmarket for the first time since the 2017/18 season, making several squad changes for the challenge ahead. Despite periods of strong attacking play, the hosts proved clinical, claiming a 52-30 victory in a free-scoring encounter.

Early on, Ely were awarded a penalty but couldn’t convert as Jake Alsop’s kick drifted wide. Stowmarket capitalised soon after, breaking through for a converted try. Ely hit back with a converted effort from Alsop to level the scoreline, but a misplaced pass allowed the home side to add a second converted try and move 14-7 ahead.

Alsop narrowed the gap with a penalty before Stowmarket crossed again. Another home try followed, the conversion rebounding from the upright, before a thunderstorm halted play. When the match resumed, Alsop added three more points for Ely, yet Stowmarket ended the half ahead 26-13 after a late penalty.

Straight after the restart, Stowmarket extended their lead with another converted try. Ely responded impressively: a perfectly weighted kick from Tom Gunbie set up Alfie Allen and Craig Rugg in the corner, then Declan Wolverson powered over for a second. With ten minutes left, Lory Martin scored under the posts, Gunbie converting to make it 33-30 and keep hopes alive.

Late interceptions, however, sealed it for the hosts, who ran in two more tries to reach the half-century.

Although the Tigers couldn’t secure the win, the match showcased their attacking flair and determination, promising an exciting season ahead.

Photos: Adam Tallack & John Surbey – @rugby__tog photographer
Ely Tigers RFC – Cambridgeshire RFU

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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

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During the visit, the Guides had the chance to get hands-on with the sport; trying out basic rugby skills in a fun, supportive environment. After the session, they joined some of the Ely Tigers Girls team in the clubhouse for refreshments and a chance to chat about the sport.

As part of the RFU’s badge initiative, the unit has been given a rugby ball so that they can continue to practise their new skills whilst at Guides.

Ely Tigers Girls Visit The Cromwell School for End-of-Year Sports Taster

The Ely Tigers Girls section were recently invited to The Cromwell School in Chatteris (home to our very own Mr Mills) to lead a girls’ rugby session as part of the school’s end-of-year sports taster activities.

Both the players and coaches thoroughly enjoyed the session, which wrapped up with a lively and competitive game of rugby golf; a clear favourite among the participants! We hope this marks the beginning of a strong and rewarding relationship between Ely Tigers Girls & Women and The Cromwell School.

@rugby__tog photographer

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As part of this new collaboration, Premier Travel will become a valued member of the Ely Tigers Business Club and will offer exclusive travel discounts to all Ely Tigers club members, adding significant value to players, families, and supporters.

The partnership will also feature the Premier Travel logo prominently on the sleeve of the Tigers’ playing kit, underscoring their visible and ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots sport and the local community.

Steve Cox, Director at Premier Travel, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership:
“We are delighted to partner with Ely Tigers, a club with a remarkable community spirit and a growing presence across Cambridgeshire rugby. As a local business with deep ties to the region, we are proud to support the club and its members, not only through sponsorship but by providing genuine travel benefits to the Tigers family.”

This agreement represents a significant milestone in Ely Tigers’ ongoing efforts to establish mutually beneficial relationships with businesses that share our passion for community development and sporting excellence.

Joe Hemsley-Rudd, Partnership Manager at Ely Tigers, added:
“We are thrilled to welcome Premier Travel as our new sleeve sponsor and official travel partner. The team at Premier Travel has demonstrated a genuine commitment to the values of our club, and we are immensely excited to collaborate with them. This partnership transcends mere branding; it aims to create meaningful opportunities for our members to benefit, and we are confident that this partnership will yield remarkable outcomes.”

Ely Tigers members will have access to exclusive travel discounts and offers, with special deals on holidays, group bookings and more coming soon. Keep an eye out for upcoming promotions!

For media enquiries, sponsorship opportunities, or further information, please contact:

Joe Hemsley-Rudd
Partnership Manager
Ely Tigers Rugby Club

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This collaboration brings together two community-focused organisations that share values of reliability, hard work, and ambition. As part of the sponsorship, a standout performer in every Ely Tigers First Team match will receive the Cambridge Discount Electrical and Plumbing Contractors Limited MOM award, celebrating excellence and dedication. The First Team squad will also don branded polo shirts provided by the sponsor, showcasing professionalism and pride throughout the season.

“We’re delighted to welcome Cambridge Discount Electrical & Plumbing Contractors Limited to the Ely Tigers family,” said Joe Hemsley-Rudd, Partnership Manager of Ely Tigers RFC. “Their support is not only a boost for our squad but a strong signal of local businesses backing grassroots sport in our area.”

Founded in 1985, Cambridge Discount Electrical & Plumbing Contractors Limited has become a cornerstone of the region’s trade and DIY sectors. With a reputation built on competitive pricing, excellent customer service, and a wide range of electrical products—from lighting and cables to tools and smart home solutions—the company has become the trusted go-to supplier for both professionals and homeowners alike.

With their flagship store based just outside central Cambridge, the business prides itself on local knowledge, personalised service, and a hands-on approach that matches perfectly with the spirit of rugby and team sport.

“Partnering with Ely Tigers was a natural fit for us,” said John Surbey at Cambridge Discount Electrical & Plumbing Contractors Limited. “We’ve been part of this community for decades, and we’re passionate about supporting teams and causes that bring people together. The Tigers have a fantastic culture and we’re excited to be part of their journey this season.”

With pre-season underway and anticipation building, Ely Tigers are gearing up for a competitive and exciting 2025/26 campaign. The backing of Cambridge Discount Electrical & Plumbing Contractors Limited adds further momentum to a club that continues to grow in strength, spirit, and community support.

For media enquiries, sponsorship opportunities, or more information, please contact:

Joe Hemsley-Rudd

Partnership Manager

Ely Tigers Rugby Club

elytigerssponsorship@gmail.com

07935 396861

Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes coverage of the new partnership launch and the 2025/26 season ahead.

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This partnership represents more than just a sponsorship. It is a celebration of a long-standing relationship built on a deep connection to the Ely community. Pocock & Shaw have been long-time supporters of the club and this latest commitment signals their belief in the Tigers’ future both on and off the pitch.

The link between the club and Pocock & Shaw is especially meaningful thanks to Magnus Woodroffe, Director at Pocock & Shaw, who is also a former Ely Tigers player. Magnus’s enduring passion for the club has played a pivotal role in bringing this partnership to life.

“We are incredibly proud to welcome Pocock & Shaw as our main club partner,” said Joe Hemsley-Rudd, Partnership Manager at Ely Tigers Rugby Club.
“We’d like to offer a heartfelt thank you to Magnus, Greg, Chris and Jan at Pocock & Shaw. Their unwavering support of the club over the years has been invaluable and we are delighted to now be working together in this official capacity.”

“Having one of our former players in a key role at Pocock & Shaw makes this partnership all the more special. It speaks volumes about the strength of the community we’ve built around Ely Tigers and the connections that last well beyond a playing career.”

The rebranding of the Tigers’ home ground to Pocock & Shaw Park marks a major milestone in the club’s development and reflects a shared commitment to supporting community sport, developing young talent and creating a welcoming environment for everyone involved with the club.

Support from Pocock & Shaw will help the Tigers invest in facilities, coaching and youth development, enabling the club to expand its reach and impact across Ely and the surrounding areas.

Magnus Woodroffe, Director of Pocock & Shaw, added:

“As a former player, Ely Tigers holds a special place in my heart. The club gave me some fantastic memories and it’s a real privilege to now give something back.
We’re proud to be part of this exciting new era and can’t wait to see what the future holds for Pocock & Shaw Park and the Tigers.”

An Exciting Future Ahead

This announcement marks a pivotal moment for Ely Tigers as the club looks to build momentum on recent successes and lay a strong foundation for growth at all levels from mini rugby and youth development to senior men’s and women’s teams.

The club invites supporters, sponsors and the wider Ely community to join in celebrating this fantastic news and to look forward to a promising future together at Pocock & Shaw Park.

For media enquiries, sponsorship opportunities or more information, please contact:

Joe Hemsley-Rudd
Partnership Manager
Ely Tigers Rugby Club
elytigerssponsorship@gmail.com
07935 396861

Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes coverage of the new partnership launch and the 2025/26 season ahead.

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This partnership brings together two of Ely’s most community-focused organisations with a shared vision: to celebrate grassroots sport, build stronger community engagement, and promote Ely both on and off the pitch.

As part of the agreement, Spotted in Ely’s branding will appear on the match shorts worn by all senior Ely Tigers teams. In addition, the club will receive ongoing media coverage and promotional support across Spotted in Ely’s established digital platforms.

Supporters can look forward to exclusive interviews, match previews, club features, and behind-the-scenes content — offering an authentic look at the players, volunteers, and personalities who shape the club’s spirit.

Ruth Buckley, Chair of Trustees at Spotted in Ely, said:

“We are thrilled to support Ely Tigers as both a sponsor and media partner. This club represents everything positive about community sport — teamwork, resilience, and inclusion. We’re excited to bring their stories to a wider audience and be part of their journey.”

The partnership reflects the Tigers’ commitment to building strong local relationships and giving back to the community that supports them. It also provides Ely Tigers with a powerful platform to showcase club initiatives, spotlight youth development, and keep fans informed and connected.

Joe Hemsley-Rudd, Partnership Manager at Ely Tigers Rugby Club, commented:

“We’re proud to welcome Spotted in Ely into the Tigers family. This partnership is about more than just visibility — it’s about storytelling, local pride, and connecting the club to our wider community. Their support on the shorts and across their media channels gives our club a platform to grow and engage like never before.”

Supporters can expect Ely Tigers content throughout the season via Spotted in Ely, including interviews with players and coaches, community highlights, and special match-day features.

⸻

For press inquiries, partnership details, or media requests, contact:

Joe Hemsley-Rudd
Partnership Manager
Ely Tigers Rugby Club
elytigerssponsorship@gmail.com
07935 396861

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Diss made a quick start, scoring a converted try within the first four minutes. Tigers, still seemingly on the bus, struggled to settle into the game and were plagued by early errors.

Twenty minutes in, Ely finally found a breakthrough. Moving the ball from right to left, they created space for Jordan Barnes to go over in the corner. The conversion was missed, and almost immediately from the restart, missed tackles proved costly as Diss slipped through for another converted try under the posts.

Diss stretched their lead further with a long-range penalty from halfway, taking the score to 17–5. Just before the break, Ely won a penalty directly in front of the posts and opted to kick for points – but the attempt drifted wide.

The second half saw Tigers return with more intent and energy. A lineout deep in the Diss half led to a well-finished try by John Surbey in the corner. The conversion was missed, keeping the score at 17–10. Diss had a chance to respond with a penalty of their own but pushed it wide.

A yellow card for Diss gave Ely a boost, and they took the points from another penalty – this time the ball bounced off the upright and dropped over, closing the gap to 17–13.

Momentum swung again when Adam Tallack broke the line and sent the ball wide to Surbey, who went over for his second try of the afternoon, giving Ely an 18–17 lead.

With just minutes remaining, Tigers needed to manage the game and hold on. But a late handling error gave Diss one more chance, and they made it count – scoring a try and nailing the conversion to win 24–18.

The result leaves Ely Tigers 8th in the table on 51 points. A strong season with plenty of positives to take forward.

Photo caption: Try scorer John Surbey in action for Ely Tigers.

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The opening 15 minutes saw both sides locked in a tight battle with neither gaining the upper hand. That changed in the 22nd minute when Alfie Allen crossed the line for the first try of the game. Matt McCarthy added the conversion to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead.

Minutes later, Ely extended their advantage with a moment of sharp thinking from captain Jim Storey. After Paul Dewey’s kick was blocked, Storey reacted first. He chased down his own kick and won the footrace to ground the ball under the posts, giving McCarthy another easy conversion.

At 31 minutes, Walden responded with a try of their own, breaking from deep after a successful scrum and scoring under the posts. The conversion missed, leaving the score at 14-5.

Just before the break, the Tigers applied pressure on the Walden line with a series of scrums. Eventually McCarthy spotted the gap and dived over for Ely’s third try. His conversion attempt bounced off the upright and through, giving Ely a solid 21-5 lead going into half time.

Much like the first half, the second started evenly. But Walden began to grow into the game and Ely’s discipline started to falter. Jake Alsop was shown a yellow card and Walden quickly capitalised, scoring and converting to close the gap.

Despite being down to 14 men, the Tigers hit back. Luke Turner intercepted a pass and ran it in for a try. McCarthy added the conversion to make it 26-12.

Walden weren’t done. A missed tackle from the Tigers allowed them in for another try, though the conversion drifted wide. A penalty soon followed which brought the score to 26-20.

Ely’s problems deepened when Ryan Edgeworth and Ach Clark were both shown yellow cards. With the Tigers reduced to just 13 players, Walden saw their chance. A try in the corner followed by a confident conversion handed them the win in the final moments.

After the game, head coach Des Lloyd said:

“Result-wise it wasn’t what we wanted and losing by a single point on the last kick of the game is heartbreaking—especially after leading 21-5 at halftime. Unfortunately, discipline cost us. Three yellow cards in a game is unacceptable and spending 20 minutes with 14 men plus another 5 or 6 minutes with just 13 was ultimately what cost us the match.”

Photo – Lee Thompson looking for a way past the Walden defence

Ely Tigers travel to Diss on 5 April for their last match of the 2024/25 campaign.

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The second half mirrored the first, with Southwold continuing to score with relative ease. By the hour mark, the home side had surpassed the 50 point threshold. Ely Tigers managed to make a mark on the scoreboard with Adam Tallack crossing the try line, and Jake Alsop adding the conversion with 60 minutes on the clock, However, from the restart, the home side responded quickly with another score, followed by a final converted try of the afternoon. Ultimately, Southwold emerged as decisive winners, concluding the match with a score of 67-7.

Photo – try scorer Adam Tallack 

No game this coming weekend, the next fixture is 22nd March, before the last game of the season is 5th April

The post Ely Tigers Match Report 10th March 2025 appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

First Half: Trading Blows

Both teams started strong and the game stayed tight in the early stages. It took until the 18th minute for the first breakthrough when Shelford found space out wide and dived over for the opening try.

Ely hit back fast. Matt McCarthy broke through the defence to score and with his conversion sailing through the posts Ely took a 7-5 lead.

Shelford responded straight from the restart. An error handed them possession and they made no mistake. Try under the posts with the conversion added put them 12-7 ahead.

As halftime approached Ely struck again. McCarthy spotted a gap and slipped the ball to Jake Alsop who powered over the line. Rhys Williams Goldman stepped up and slotted the conversion to put Ely in front 14-12 at the break.

Second Half: Missed Chances and Big Calls

The second half followed the same pattern with both sides battling for every inch. Ely were the first to strike. Adam Tallack saw his chance broke through and dived over. The conversion attempt missed but Ely were 19-12 up.

Shelford responded with pressure inside Ely’s half. The penalty count started to climb against the Tigers and Declan Wolverson was shown a yellow card. Down to 14 men Ely defended hard but Shelford took advantage scoring a crucial try to close the gap to two points.

With five minutes left Ely had the chance to put the game to bed. A penalty just inside Shelford’s half. McCarthy struck it well but the ball dropped just short.

Shelford came forward one last time. They won a penalty right in front of the posts. The kicker made no mistake and the final whistle blew.

20-19. A tough one to take.

A Tough One to Take

Ely put in a huge shift and gave everything but it was not quite enough.

Try Scorer: Jake Alsop

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On Saturday, Ely Tigers hosted Colchester IIs, looking to build on their previous week’s win. The match was played under extreme weather conditions, with rain, hail, sleet, and snow making play difficult.

First-Half Action

Despite the challenging conditions, Ely struck first at 25 minutes when Rhys Williams Goldman slotted a penalty kick to take a 3-0 lead.

Ten minutes later, Williams Goldman executed a pinpoint cross-field kick to Matt McCarthy, who secured the ball and scored. The conversion was successful, extending Ely’s lead to 10-0.

Ely’s momentum continued as Luke Turner’s speed set up John Surbey for a try in the corner. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, but Ely maintained a 15-0 advantage.

However, just before halftime, Colchester pushed back, scoring a converted try to reduce the gap to 15-7.

Second-Half Standout Moments

Ely started the second half strong, with McCarthy crossing the try line again to increase the lead to 20-7.

Colchester applied heavy pressure, spending 13 minutes camped on Ely’s try line, but Ely’s defence held firm. A strategic restart allowed Joel Scott Paul to break free and add another 5 points to the tally.

Colchester responded with a late try in the corner, but they missed the conversion, keeping the score at 25-12. Deep into stoppage time, Colchester continued to push, but Ely’s defence remained resolute to secure the win.

Final Score: Ely Tigers 25-12 Colchester IIs

This victory sees Ely climb to 7th place in the league standings.

Photo 1: Group photo showcasing the tough match conditions
Photo 2: Scorer Matt McCarthy

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The second half saw a slow start from Ely as Ipswich applied pressure. However, despite this pressure, it was the Tigers who scored again by moving the ball across the pitch from a line-out on the right-hand side, eventually allowing John Surbey to score in the corner. Ely found themselves under pressure again during the half and were pinned back in their own half. With their penalty count rising, they were reduced to 14 men as Matt French received a yellow card from the official, and during this time, Ipswich scored a converted try. An injury to Lee Thompson required Ely to reshuffle, and they remained under pressure, unable to enter Ipswich’s half. A cross-field kick allowed Ipswich to score their second try of the game, making the score 24-12. As the game neared its end, Ipswich went down to 14 men after a red card, releasing some pressure. With 5 minutes remaining, Ely’s Matt French ended the game by touching the ball down after Ely pushed the Ipswich scrum back across their own try line, with Williams Goldman adding the conversion, resulting in a 31-12 win for Tigers.

Picture – Double try scorer Matt French

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The home team took advantage of an early opportunity to score by securing a penalty and choosing to kick for points, resulting in an early 3-0 lead. This was followed by a try as the home team found space on the wing to score. With the successful conversion, they extended their lead to 10-0. Ely gradually regained momentum and after 20 minutes, Alfie Allen scored a try in the corner, with Matt McCarthy adding the conversion, reducing the deficit to 3 points. Walden had a player sent off with a yellow card, and during first-half stoppage time, Jim Storey scored Ely’s second try. McCarthy successfully converted again, giving Ely a 14-10 lead.

Second half started, with neither side gaining the upper hand, again it was missed tackles that caused Tigers downfall, as the home side score a try, with the conversion added, with the help of the upright, they regained the lead, Ely went down to 14, as Lee Thompson is shown a yellow, with time running out, Walden score again, breaking on the left, and with players overlapping they go over in the corner, the try denied Tigers a losing bonus point. they were unable to add the conversion, the miss signalled the final whistle as the final score finished in a 22-14 defeat

Photo : Captain Jim Storey

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The opening 20 minutes saw Southwold struggle to get to trouble the Ely back line, but the one chance they got they pushed back the Ely scrum on to their own back line to score their first try, and by adding the conversion, all of a sudden Tigers lead was only three points, The try lifted “Wold”, as they picked up the lion share of the game, as the moved the ball around the pitch, however it was Tigers that scored next, with a strong break from Captain, Jim Storey,  with Ely picking up the ball to drive forward, the ball was passed out to Tom Green who proved to powerful for the home defence to score, but again came the visitors from a Ely scrum deep on the Ely back line, they were pushed back on their try line for the match official to award a penalty try for the visitors, which meant only a 1 point lead for Tigers

As half time approached Ely were awarded a penalty in front of posts, with McCarthy opting to kick for the points, the ball went through the uprights to add the three points as Tigers lead 18-14 at the break

The second half started much like the first, with both sides unable to get a grip of the game, with the “Wold” scrum gaining them yards as they pushed back the home side when they got the chance, after some pressure on Tigers that had the chance to extended their lead, with the award of penalty, Tigers opted to kick for the points once more, but the cross field wind pushed the ball to the left of the uprights, from the  “Wold real start Ely went on the attack, with three or four probes close to the try line, finally Rhys Williams Goldman found a gap to score, with the conversion added, from another penalty awarded to Ely they were able to cross the line once more, moving the ball from right to left, finding Adam Tallack out on the wing to score, again the wind proved too much for the conversion to be added, final moments saw Ely down to 14 as two try scorer, Bell, was shown a yellow card, during this time Southwold scored a try as they pinned back Tigers on the try line, with the added try, the Tigers lead 30-21, as the game was coming to a close it was the home side that added to the scoreboard, still a man down, as Mitch Kennett, capped a man of the match performance with a try, from a penalty awarded in a dangerous position, again the wind proving to much for the conversion to be added, there was little time for the restart as the referee blew for full time, as Tigers recorded only their 4^th win of the season

The side are next in action on the 7^th December when they travel to Saffron Walden.

Photo – Two try scorer, Archie Bell

The post Ely Tigers Match Report appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

With half an hour on the clock, a penalty to Ely, saw them opting to kick for the points, Rhys Williams Goldman scored the three points, but moments later back came the home with another converted try

On 48 minutes on the clock, Colchester add to their score with another converted try, as the home side over power Ely, on 54 minutes the home side cross the try line again, from a line out they cross the line in the corner, but they were unable to add the conversion. 40-3, with 60 minutes on the clock, Tigers cross the try line, during their best passage of play, as they start to win the ball, and move thru hands, finally seeing Jordan Barnes crossing the line, However, the were unable to build on this as from the restart Colchester went on the attack, scoring a further try, again they were unable to add the conversion, with the game coming to an end there was still time for one more try, a hopeful punt forward looked to be going out of play, but the ball bounced unkindly for Ely in there own try goal area, and was failed to be cleared as the home side picked up the loose ball to score, they were unable to add the conversion as the full time whistle blew.

Photo – Lee Thompson

The post Ely Tigers Match Report appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

The game started brightly for the Tigers, as they were awarded an early penalty in front of the posts, opting to kick for the points, Jake Alsop slotted the ball over the uprights for an early lead,

A mistake from a line out in the Ely half presented Norwich with an opening, as the slipped by Ely tackles to score in the corner, however the conversion was missed, Try to Ely, as Adam Tallack picked up the ball and ran at Norwich, scoring to the left of the posts, Alsop adds the conversion,  from the restart, Norwich push forward, slipping tackles, and having an overlap on the right, to score in the corner, again the conversion was missed as the score were tied at 10 each

Norwich take the lead, this time by moving the ball out to the left, again slipping tackles to score in the corner, however a change of kicker saw the conversion added to open a seven point lead.

Ely score, from a penalty, opting to tap and go they passed the ball along the field, for Jim Reed to score in the corner, the conversion was missed, as half time drew close Ely went in ahead, as Jim Reed picked up the loose ball from John Surbury, to score, Alsop added the conversion for Ely to lead 22-17, the final play of the half saw Norwich award a penalty, opting to kick for the points, they closed the half just 2 points behind as Ely went into the break 22-20 award.

The second saw Norwich go up a gear and show why they are league leaders, from the start of the second half, Norwich broke from their own half, to leave Ely behind to score adding the conversion, from the restart they increased their lead with a mirror of the previous try, breaking out from the Ely half to race forward to score, a slip proved costly for Tigers as Ely went to tackle the defender slipped leaving space for Norwich who attacked to score in the corner, with the conversion added, Norwich lead by 20 points.

Another try for Norwich, as again the picked the ball up inside the Ely to again race forward to score, conversion added, from a nudged kick forward by Norwich they scored a further try, racing on to the loose ball, conversion added, to pass the 50 point mark, as Ely attack a loose pass was picked off by Norwich from deep in their own half to race forward to score, conversion missed as it hits the upright posts, Norwich then went down to 14 , during this time Ely got on the scoresheet as Tallack scored his second try of the afternoon, with Alsop adding the conversion, but before the end of the game there still time for Norwich to score again to run out 67-29 winners.

Photo – Two try scorer Jim Reed

This coming Weekend (2nd November) is a blank weekend for the Tigers, at the moment there is a friendly away to Thetford

The post Ely Tigers Report appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

Meanwhile, the Ely Tigers Girls U12s played with their Cambs Barbarians Cluster team in the first of their Conference games. They all played fantastically well and the scores reflected their efforts with 2 wins!

Photo – Ely Tigers Girls U12s at Shelford

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An early chance for the home side, as they are award a penalty, opting to kick, but the upright post came to the aid of the Tigers as the bounced off the post and to safety, but it was only a brief spell before the home side had points on the board, from a line out on the right Walsham with a try on the left hand side, the conversion was missed as the ball once again cannoned off the upright, with 15 minutes on the clock another penalty to the home side, this time in front of the posts, but this time the upright didn’t come to rescue of the Tigers as the home side lead 8-0

A quickly taken penalty for the home side saw them cross the line once more to extend their lead, to 13-0, as they once more wasted the conversion start, on 32 minutes the Tigers went down to 14 as they received a yellow card for a late tackle.

First half injury time, the home side score again, as Ely fail to make their tackles count, with the conversion added to lead at the break 20-0

The second half started with e penalty to Ely, Matt McCarthy opting to kick but the ball fell short, A list of errors while Tigers were pushing towards the Walsham try line, saw Walsham break free,  adding another try to the scoreboard as the score under the posts, conversion added, another penalty to Ely, saw them opt for the kick, this time McCarthy added the points, more missed tackles saw the home side add to the scoreboard with another try and conversion saw a further try and conversion, the final score of the afternoon came as full time closed in, and it came from another mistake from the Tigers, as the home side added a further try and conversion to run out 39-3 winners

Tigers face league leaders, Norwich, this coming weekend at the Cambridge Commodities Park, as the injury list continues to grow for Des Lloyds side as he’ll need once again to make changes.

Photo – Mitch Kennett

The post Ely Tigers Match Report appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

After the game Club Chairman, Andy Gunbie issued the following statement “As Chairman, one of my roles is to travel to away matches and support the first team, Today was no exception, we travelled to Ipswich Rugby Club, by now, you will have seen the result. We had a tough day at the office, with 31 players unavailable, Des could have taken the easy option and called the game, but not wanting to give away 10 points, a team was pulled together, and the match went ahead. 3 coaches and the youth chairman pulled their boots on to avoid just giving the match away. I am immensely proud of those who played today, as they showed the true spirit of rugby and demonstrated the pride in the badge we wear.”

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

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Tigers were forced to change their starting XV due to injuries, after a bright start for Ely it was the visitors that opened the scoring with an early try the conversion couldn’t be added  as they took a 5 point lead, a tap and go penalty under the posts saw Tigers open their scoring as Mitch Kennett  bundled the ball over to score, Alsop add the conversion as Tigers took a 2 point lead.

Mistake at a line out allowed Newmarket to score again, in the same spot as previous try, this time the conversion was added, from here it was the visitors that controlled the game, as they  break free once more from a line out deep in their own half, with Tigers unable to make the tackles count as they allowed Newmarket free to score under the posts, conversion added, missing tackles and moving the ball quickly saw another try for Newmarket, with the conversion added, with the aid of the upright as there score board read 26-7, from a line out, Ely won the ball as Jordan Barnes took the ball over for a try, a penalty to Newmarket in front of the posts saw them opt for the points, with three points being added to the score board with the successful kick, as half time approached Newmarket score again, as Ely fail again to hold on to the player as the visitors break again down the wing, cutting in to score under the posts, with the conversion added they lead at the break 36-14.

Second half started with neither side able to get a hold of the game, and it was the hosts that put the first points on the board, and came from an error from the visitors, the error put Ely deep into the Newmarket half, the ball finally being taken across the try line by Jim Storey, Alsop was able to add the conversion, but it was missed tackles, highlighted by head coach, Des Lloyd, after the game, that came back to trouble Ely again as Newmarket crossed the try line once more, again with the conversion added the visitors lead 43-21,  

Ely finished the game with 14 men as Matt McCarthy was shown a yellow card for a high tackle, the final whistle blew soon after as the points headed back along the A142 to Newmarket.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

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It was the Tigers that got the first points on the scoreboard after a spell of pressure, finally moving the ball from left to right finding Adam Tallack who found a gap in the corner to tab the ball down, with Jake Alsop able to add the conversion points, a penalty awarded soon after saw Alsop add a further three points to the scoreboard as the Tigers led 10-0.

The home side started to get a foot in the game as they picked up a loose kick and attack, with the ball out to wings, finding the gaps to score their first try, with the conversion added Tigers leaded narrowed, a penalty for Bury saw them opt for the three points to level the scoreboard,

Half time approach with the award of a penalty, Alsop opting to kick for the points, but the chance was missed as the scores reminded level, it was the home side that took the lead on the stroke of half time, with a quickly taken penalty resulting in a try, with the conversion added as the home side took the lead for the first time, from the restart Ely were awarded a penalty, for the same point as the one moments earlier, this time Alsop made no mistake, and with the help of the upright the ball dropped the right side as the half ended with Bury leading 17-13

The restart of the second half saw a turning point of the half, as Bury went down to 14, following a high tackle, with the extra man Ely made it count, with Mitch Kennett going over, and with Alsop adding  the extra points, Ely lead once more, but that lead didn’t last long, as back came the home side with a penalty, and once again the score board were level at 20-20.

Ely broke through again, with Rhys Williams Goldman, scoring his first try since joining the club in the Summer, with Alsop adding the extra points to open a seven point lead,  but Tigers were unable to build on the lead as once again to level the score up, as they break free from tackles to find a gaps to cross the try line , with the conversion added, with the help of the post as once again the scoreboard was level, back came Ely as the broke deep from their own half for a powerful run from Matt McCarthy, the ball finding Paul Dewey whose las gasp pass found Williams Goldman who touched down for the try, Alsop was unable to add the extra points, as the game reached the end, Bury pulled level once more, as they scored a try in corner, as Ely missed tackles once more, the conversion was missed and it looked like the game was going to finish in tie, but from the restart there was still time for a final twist, Ely restarted and kicked the ball into the middle of the part towards the Bury backline, but as the ball came down the defender dropped the ball and knocked on, for the official to award a penalty, Alsop opted to kick, the ball sailed over the posts as the official blew for the final time as Ely ran out 35-32 winners.

Speaking after the final whistle Head Coach, Des Lloyd said the following  “very tough game, and we got through it, however, we still have lots to work on, and that’s what we’ll be doing over the next week during training, we missed some tackles today and that’s just one area we’ll be working on as a group”

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

The post Ely Tigers Match Report appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

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

The post Ely Tigers Match Report appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

Des joins us from Watton RFC, where he held the position of DOR/Head Coach for 7 years. In that time, he re-energised the club, helping to re-introduce a second team and securing 2 promotions for the 1st XV. Prior to that he had also held the role of Head Coach at Swaffham RFC.

No stranger to the types of needs a grass roots organisation like Ely requires, Des has shown a willingness to contribute to all areas of the running of a club, having held a multitude of committee and coaching positions during his development. Des holds a level 2 RFU coaching qualification, as well as a level 4 sports masseuse and taping qualification. He is also a trained pitch side medic and mental health first aider.

He also comes to the club with the seal of approval from our new Club President, and previous Head Coach, Buzz Coulson. We were always keen for Buzz to be a part of the process and having sat down with Des at the club last month, he made it clear he felt he would be a good fit within the Tigers Family.

We are very happy to confirm Tim Mills will continue to be a part of the coaching setup, assisting Des in the role of defence coach. We will also be looking at other avenues to help assist Des, with the hope of future appointments to come.

Des had this to say on his appointment: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to join Ely Rugby Club. I enjoyed plenty of years playing against Ely back when I was growing up, playing for Swaffham. I have always been impressed with the set up that Ely has, starting with the Mini’s, all the way up to Seniors. I love the fact it has the family feel and that I’m able to join that family is something I’m looking forward to”.

New Club Chair Andy Gunbie added: “At the AGM we announced the appointment of Des Lloyd as the new first team coach. Des comes with an impressive CV, and has held many positions in his previous clubs over the years. Des is a qualified pitch side medic and physio, and we are looking at the potential for Des to run some ‘bookable’ physio sessions for club members and players. Welcome to the team Des, I’m looking forward to working with you in the years ahead”.

Press Release from Ely Tigers RFC.

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The game started with a early chance for Tigers as they were awarded a penalty, Jake Alsop steps up to slot the ball home, with the help of the post, from the restart there was pressure from the home side, but a handling error by the home side saw Ely able to clear their lines, Ely cleared the ball from a line out on the right, passing their way to the left, finally allowing Matt McCarthy to score, with Alsop adding the conversion to give Tigers a 10 point lead

The home side come back from the restart, with a converted try to narrow the lead, with the score the home side started to get a foot in the game, and it wasn’t long until their second try came, with the conversion added they lead 14-10, with half time approaching, Ely take the lead, with Declan Wolverson diving over to score, the conversion was missed, but it meant the Tigers lead by a single point, in added on time, the home side piled on the pressure, they crossed the try line, but the Tigers held the ball up, giving the chance to clear the lines from a kick under the posts, the clearance was just a brief rest bite for Tigers, as back came the home side, as they crossed the line to score and lead at the break 19-15. 

The opening moments of the second half saw Tigers have a mountain to climb as the quickly conceded two quick tries, a low kick forward bounced kindly for the forward to score, with the difficult conditions not making the conversion hard, the ball fell short of the uprights, from the restart the home side scored again, making use of the overlap on the the wing, to score in the corner, again the conversion was missed 

The try of the afternoon came from the home side as the scored their third try of the half, with another cross field kicked pass, found the the winger who picked up the ball in his stride to score, this time the conversion was added 

The second half proved hard work for Tigers, which much of it with them camped deep in their own half, the home side turned the screw with another try, and a conversion, but it was Tigers that finished the game with the final try of the afternoon as Jim Storey crossed the try line to score, Alsop was unable to add the conversion as the game finished in a 43-20 defeat for the Tigers. 

The final league table saw Tigers finish in 6th place on 65 points, with a record of 14 wins and 8 losses.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

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The first attack of the game saw Ely drive over the first try of the afternoon as Mitchel Kennett scored, conversion added by Jake Alsop, as the Tigers took a 7-0 lead, Southwold’s first real attack on the game came on 15 minutes, when they picked gaps in the Ely back line, Tigers Paul Dewey stopped the attack, for now, but Southwold won the ball back from a line out to score, with the conversion added, the lead 7-7, 

After scoring Wold had the better of the game, keeping Tigers pegged back, a penalty to Ely for a high tackle, in front of the posts, Tigers opted to kick for the points,  up stepped Alsop to add the three points on 30 minutes, 10-7. 

A high number of handling errors by Tigers was giving Wold the advantage, another penalty to the fixtures gave them a chance to level the scores as half time approached, the kicker making little mistake as the ball sailed through the uprights, 10-10. 

Injury time of the first half, saw Mitchell Kennett cross over the line again, with Jake Alsop stepping up with the conversion, but stood and watched as the ball bounced of the upright, to leave the score at 15-10 at the break. 

Second started, with Southwold breaking free on the left to score, finding the gaps in the Tigers backline scoring in the corner, they were unable to add the conversion from the tight angle. the scores were level at 15-15.

Tigers started to make the replacements, with Grant Storey coming on, the game was to close to call, with both sides looking to get the next score, and it came from a mistake from Wold, that saw Lee Thompson pick up a loose pass to stroll across the try line under the posts, Alsop was able to add the conversion, 22-15, Tigers made a further two changes as John Surbey and Adam Tallack coming on, to see the came, there was still time for another score as Jake Alsop added a further 3 points as he slotted home a penalty in front of the points, 25-15 

Neither side was able to trouble the scoreboard further as the game drew to a close, with the final score finishing in a 25-15 win for the Tigers. leaving them in 6th place with a game to go.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

The post Match Report Ely Tigers vs Southwold appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

The squad once more saw changes from the previous week, which may have explained the slow start by Tigers and it was against the run of play that Tigers take a lead, as Ely break, from a scrum deep in their own half, moving the ball left to right finding space allowing Mark Assenti to break only a last ditch tackle with the try line in sight, stop Assenti from scoring, but Tigers keep the ball alive finding Matt McCarthy to score, Jake Alsop adds the conversion (0-7)

Diss go down to 14 after a yellow for a number high tackles, from the resulting penalty Ely get their second try of the afternoon as Jordan Barnes scores, again Alsop was able to add the conversion (0-14)

Diss get on the score sheet with a try in the corner, going over unmarked as Tigers seemed to have stopped waiting for the referee to bring back play, but the try stood, unable to add the conversion (5-14) 

Tigers regain the gap with with McCarthy going over to score his second try of the afternoon, Alsop adds the conversion on the stroke off half time to give Tigers a healthy lead at the break (5-21)

The start of the second half saw yet more rain fall on the heavy pitch, the game started to get disjointed and wasn’t helped when Diss went down to 14 men after a red card, having watch Tigers all season could this be the time that they kicked on and piled on the points, coach Buzz Coulson looked to the bench bringing on Ricky Neale and Lee Thompson, soon to follow was Adam Tallack, despite being a man down the home side were pushing Ely back with the game mostly being played in their half, the home side went down to 13 as the referee produced another card.   

Despite being down to 13 it was the home side that looked likely to score, and they did, from an Ely line out the home side picked up the ball and attacked skipping tackles to cross the try line (10-21), conversion was missed, despite the home side being down on numbers they were still talking about getting the two tries required for the bonus point from the game

A charged down kick by Tallack saw Ely score their bonus point try, Tallack beat the defender to the ball and run free to set up McCarthy for his hat trick try, aswell as the Bonus point try, under the posts, with Alsop adding the conversion (10-28)

The try was a blow for the home side so it was no surprise with the game coming to a close that Ely scored again as Barnes adding his second try, with Alsop adding the conversion (10-35) as Tigers made the extra players count, as Jordan soon added another try inside the last five minutes, as Ely finally made the man different count, as captain Lory Martin was able to cross the line to score during the last play of the game, with Alsop able to add the conversion as the full time whistle blew with the final score finished (10-42)

The win moved Tigers up to 4th place on 65 points, just one point behind 3rd place Ipswich.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

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Ely were forced once more to make changes to their starting XV, it was the visitors that started the brightest pushing Tigers back towards their try line so it was a surprise when the Tigers took the lead when Lee Thompson bulldozed his way past the YM defense to dive over the line, Jake Alsop was able to add the conversion, (7-0), from the restart, Y.M again pushed Tigers back as they soon scored their opening try, going over in the corner, despite a last gasp tackle from Paul Dewey, but they couldn’t add the conversion (7-5).

Back came Tigers, as the pace of Jim Reed helped him dodge around tackles to cross the line, with time on his side he managed to put the ball down under the post, with Alsop able to add the conversion (14-5) the score line looked tough on the visitors, but Tigers had taken their chances, from the restart Tigers conceded a penalty in front of the posts, Y.M opting to kick, added the 3 points with ease (14-8) from the restart, Tigers break, with Reed once more, his pace causing issues, and was able to score close to the corner, Alsop adding the conversion points (21-8), from restart, Y.M score again, breaking free, slipping one tackle to break and score under the uprights, with the conversion added to close the gap, (21-15) the game felt like, we’ll score one, and then the visitors would score.

Jim Reed thought he’d scored his hat trick try, but International TMO official, Rowan Kitt, indicated the ball had been held up, from the drop zone restart, Y.M handed the ball straight back to Tigers, enabling Mitch Kennett to cross the line to the right of the posts, giving Tigers the bonus point try, with Alsop adding the conversion (28-15)

Ely pick up the clearance from the restart with Rob Armer breaking away, supported by Jordan Barnes who unchallenged scores under the posts, Alsop adds the conversion (35-15), a penalty to Y.M, much a carbon copy of the one earlier in the half, on the stroke of half time, again Y.M made no mistake to add the three points the same place on the strike of half time, (35-18) 

The start of the second half, Ely score again, with half time replacement Mark Assenti picking up a pass out wide, as he looked to pass out wide to the supporting Matt McCarthy, Assenti dummied the pass to dive over the line in the corner, with Alsop unable to add the conversion from the angle, (40-18)

The restart saw Tigers back on attack with Jim Reed scoring in the corner proving too strong for Y.M back line, again Alsop was unable to add the conversion points (45-18) A quickly taken penalty, sees Ryan Edgeworth, free Reed whose paced again helped him to score in the corner, this time Alsop was able to add the conversion as Tigers break the 50 point mark (52-18)

After a string of try’s for the home side the game settled down with Y.M looking to add to their score, with the game coming to a close, Ely cross the line once more with Rob Armer going over under the posts, conversion added by Alsop (59-18)

Another break my the impressive Reed, again his pace with another break, he proved too strong for the backs to score his 5th try of the afternoon, Alsop was able to add the conversion as the game came to a close with a (66-18) win.

The win moved the Tigers up a place and still in with a chance of third place.

Structural Engineers (Cambridge) Ltd, Man Of The Match – Jim Reed

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

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The game got off to a bright start as Nathan Brookes with the home side passing the ball through hands, eventually finding captain Lory Martin crossing the line to score, with Jake Alsop adding the conversion points.

The visitors soon levelled up the scores as they score a try, breaking free down the wing to score, with the conversion added, Tigers were soon to regain the lead, as Jordan Barnes crossed the line in the corner, leaving a difficult conversion kick, which Alsop was unable to add, the home side

Ely regains the lead. With Jordan crossing the line in the corner leaving a difficult kick, conversion missed, taking a 12-7 lead Tigers started to get a foothold in the game, with Matt McCarthy picking up the ball to score under the posts, the bonus point try was a carbon copy of the McCarthy’s try, with Matt French scoring under the posts, as Tigers lead 26-7 at half time.

First try of the second half, as Ely win a line out ball, out on the left, passing across the field to find Alfie Ramswell on the wing to score, conversion missed, Ely forwards continued to push Walsham back as they start to flag saw another try on the board as Ricky Neale dived over to score, with the conversion added.

As the game drew to a close, Ely win another line out close to the Walsham back line, a strong maul pushed the visitors back, they managed hold Ely up only briefly as Tigers release the ball to the left finding McCarthy to score, with Alsop off the pitch, McCarthy took over the kicking duties but he watched on as the ball cannons off the post as the game comes to a close with a 43-7 win.

This coming weekend Tigers are once more at home as they play Ipswich YM in a rearranged game from earlier in the season

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

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The home side the lead, despite their league position, looked the b righter of the two sides, pushing Tigers back, it was no surprise that they scored the opening try, when Ethan Garford, crossed the line to score, the home side were unable to add the conversion, from the restart Ely attack the home side, and they soon score their opening try as Jim Storey scores, diving over the line, the returning Jake Alsop, back on kicking duties, was able to add the conversions, as Tigers took a two point lead.

A penalty awarded to Tigers saw their second try of afternoon, Tigers quickly took the penalty close to Wisbech try line, where it was picked up by Storey for his second try off the afternoon in the corner, Alsop was unable to add the conversion from tough line.

A kick forward by Ely, saw a fumble at the back for Wisbech putting their back line under pressure, a chance to clear their lines, but a kick forward failed to Wisbech any breathing time as back came Tigers, the finally finding Rob Armer to cross the line to score to the left of the post, giving Alsop an easy chance to add the conversion, as half time approach, Tigers picked up a bonus point as they scored their fourth try of the afternoon, as they kept up the pressure on the home, the ball being moved  crosses again keeping the pressure on, moving ball from right to left, Alfie Ramswell  crosses to score, Alsop manages to add the conversion to give a 26-5 half time lead.

The second half turned into a scrappy and messy game, with neither side able to get a grip of the game, on the hour mark, Wisbech put pressure on the Tigers, a knock on gave Tigers the chance to clear, but a penalty against them put the pressure back on themselves, a line out to the home side saw Wisbech camped out on the try line, finally finding the overlap in the corner to score, with a the conversion missed, inside the last ten minutes Tigers went down to 14 as Alsop when shown a yellow card, but during this closing period neither side could add to the scoreline as Tigers ran out 26-10 winners.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

The post Match Report: Ely Tigers vs Wisbech appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

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

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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

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From the start of the game Tigers showed their intention, from a Bury line out, which Ely stole the ball to set up the attack, seeing the ball pass through the hands of Jordan Barnes, Lee Thompson and Jim Storey finally seeing Matt McCarthy crossing the try line, McCarthy added the conversion for the perfect start, the next attack saw the home side awarded a penalty in front of the points, McCarthy opted to add the points to extend the lead to 10-0

With twenty one minutes on the clock, Ely win a penalty close to the Bury try line, they push forward looking for gaps in the defensive line, the ball found Storey who dived over the line, with the conversion added, direct from the restart the home side was able to extend the lead as Luke Turner broke free to score to the right of the posts, McCarthy added the conversion as they extended the lead to 24 points.

The only blot on the first half for the home side was Paul Dewey was forced off due to injury, on came his replacement, Jim Reed, who made an impact straight away as he broke free on the stroke of half time, even a stumble failed to stop him as he crossed the try line for his first try for the club, McCarthy added the conversion in front of the posts to give the home as 31-0 lead at the break.

The start of the second half saw a yellow card for Bury, which saw the award of a penalty to Tigers, McCarthy added the three points, from the restart Ely attack once more, with Ely pushing forward the ball went out to McCarthy who raced forward from former Tigers player Ash Clark into the corner to score, leaving himself a difficult kick, but McCarthy made no mistake to extend the lead.

Bury started to push forward and finally got on the scoresheet, after a period of pressure on the home side back line, eventually crossing the line, conversion was missed, the score seemed to lift the visitors as again they went once more on the attack, during this period it was the home side that went down to 14 as Declan Wolverson was shown a yellow card, Ely held up Bury and went on the attack again, winning a penalty, which was moved a further 10 meters forward after dissent from Bury, opting for the scrum Tigers moved the ball from right to left, finding Dan Piper out of the wing to score, this time McCarthy wasn’t able to add to his points tally

From the restart, a mis-placed ball from the home side allowed Bury their second try of the afternoon, which was soon followed by the third, with the conversion added, the score stood at 46-17 as the game drew to a close, Luke Turner broke free once more, he was brought down, and a penalty was awarded for a high tackle, McCarthy opting to kick for the extra points, he watched as the ball hit the inside of the posts and dropped the right side of the uprights as the final score finished 49-17

Next Saturday the side travel to league leaders Shelford 2’s

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

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The home side took the lead on 7 minutes, as a mistake from Ely proved costly, with the referee playing the advantage, Wymondham raced forward to cross the try line, the conversion was missed, with 20 minutes on the clock and the home scored their second try of the afternoon, after winning a line out they found gaps in the defence to cross the line. with the conversion added they led 12-0

In a stop-start game Ely were awarded a penalty, opting to kick fo the points, Matt McCarthy slotted the ball through the posts, 

Ely were forced to make changes as Adam Tallack was forced off with an injury, as the game reached half time with no further score. 

Second half, saw Ely camped in the home sides half, with Wymondham able to gain ground, eventually they found a way in to the Ely defence from a scrum spreading the ball out form right to left, eventually crossing the line to score, 

Tigers chance of the half came late in the half, however the home defence stood up to the test, and as Tigers conceded another penalty, which gave the home side the chance to clear, as the game edged to full time with the final scoring finishing with a 17-3 home win.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

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Tigers got off to the perfect start during the opening minute. Ely won a scrum and break quickly, with Matt French who in turn finds Joel Scott Paul to score under the posts, with the conversion added from the boot of Matt McCarthy, the lead was quickly doubled, with the home side, dominating the scrums Ely once more broke free, moving the ball across the pitch to find Jordan Barnes who went over the try line in the corner, a testing conversion was score from McCarthy, Barnes soon scored his second try of the afternoon, from the restart Ely picked the ball up and serged forward and in a mirror of his first try, Barnes went over in the same place in the corner, leaving another testing conversion for McCarthy, but this time in bounced off the upright and away.

The bonus point trey quickly came, from a line out Ely won the ball, and pushed back towards their own try line, with Grant Storey shielding the ball until releasing Jeremy Darley who crossed the line, the lead soon increased from the restart Barnes adds his hat trick try, again in the same corner, in what in the same corner that Tigers added another try, after Storey picked up a loose ball from a West Norfolk line out close to their own try line, he fed Barnes who went over, once again Ely pushed back West, that saw French go over for his second try of the afternoon, as Tigers lead at the break 41-0.

The second half didn’t see the same scoring rate as the first half, in fact paly was held up for a while due to an injury to a West Norfolk player, soon after that break in play Tigers went over again, from a clearance from the visitors Ely’s Mitch Kennett picked the ball up and breaking forward, freeing McCarthy, who finds second half replacement, Dan Piper to score, McCarthy adds a further try, and an conversion as the pressure from Tigers once more takes it toll, the last play of the game see’s Paul Dewey going over in the corner, unable to add the conversion the final score finishes with a 58-0 win

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

On Sunday Ely Tigers Colts player, Tom Gunbie, was selected for the final Cambridgeshire Under 18 squad, as they travelled to Lowestoft & Yarmouth Rugby Club to play their Norfolk counter parts, Gunbie was able to chip in with 7 points, in a 32-5 win for Cambridgeshire, which was them lift the Tri-Counties Trophy for 2023/24

The post Match Report: Ely Tigers vs West Norfolk appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

Five minutes on the clock, the home side make the breakthrough, a missed tackle on the wing allowed them to cross the line for the first try of the afternoon, despite the wind behind them the conversion was missed,  from the try Ely were camped in the home sides half, but were unable to find the try line, finally a chance came for Ely from a penalty, in front of the posts, but the strong head wind held the ball up, bouncing off the crossbar allowing the home side to clear their lines.

A misplaced pass gave Southwold their second try of the afternoon, as Wold kicked the loose ball towards the try line before going doing on the ball over the try line, under the posts, the conversion was added, With a brisk wind behind them, Wold opted to kick a penalty from half line, the kick had the distance but the ball drifted the wrong side of the posts.

As half time approached, Wold camped out on Ely try line, probing with a number of scrums, which after a time of probing Wold found the gap and went over for their 3rd try of the afternoon, they were unable to add the conversion as they lead 17-0 at the break.

Second Half saw Ely in Wolds half, and finally get on the scoreboard. as Matt McCarthy scored with a penalty, A mistake from Ely from the restart saw a home try, deep in Ely half, Wold moved the ball right to the center, finishing with a cross field kick straight in to arms of the winger to score the bonus point try, again unable to added the conversion points

A mistake from the home side saw Ely cross the try line, from a scrum, as Mitch  Kennett finds a gap to dive over, a quickly taken conversion was missed, Ely went down to 13 as two players were shown yellow cards, the home side were mastering the conditions better as they tried to ply further pressure on to Ely, but it was Ely that added to the score as Luke Turner went over, to score, conversion was missed, as the final whistle blew it was a 22-13 defeat.

Tigers sign off 2023 with a home game against West Norfolk (2pm) kick off this coming Saturday 16th December.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

The post Match Report: Ely Tigers vs Southwold appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

Two players from the clubs colts side were named in the Cambridgeshire Under 18 side to play their counterparts from Suffolk at Shelford Rugby Club on Sunday.

Both Tom Gunbie and Alfie Allen came into the game as second-half replacements, Gunbie converted a penalty as the Cambridgeside side ran out 17-0 winners.

From Ely Tigers Rugby Club

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Again, Tigers were faced to make changes to the starting 15, it was the visitors that took the lead with five minutes on the clock, when they were awarded a penalty, opting to kick for the points, with the wind behind them.

Pressure from the restart, saw several times Ely going close, on 15 minutes the pressure paid off with Ely scoring the opening try in the corner, leaving a difficult chance to the conversion, which was missed, direct from the restart, another penalty to Diss, again opting to kick, again adding the 3 points to take a one-point lead. a quickly taken penalty saw Adam Tallack dive over for the second try, again in the corner saw the conversion missed, another penalty to Diss, from the same range, again adding the points, to close the gap to a point once more. With 32 minutes on the clock, a line out was won by Ely, pushing back Diss towards their own line, enabling Tigers to walk the ball over the line for the third try, again the conversion was missed,  moments later from the restart, Ely break, Luke Turner finding Joel Scott Paul, who in turns feeds Jim Story to score, to give Ely a 20-9 lead at the break.

Opening 15 minutes of the second half, saw neither side gain any foothold in the game, on 65 minutes, Ely breaking from the left, eventfully finding captain Lory Martin to score in the corner, conversion missed, from the restart Ely picked up the ball, with Scott Paul going in under the posts, the conversion was added, from the start an error saw Diss apply pressure, but Ely defence stood firm, there was a brief break in the pressure on the home side but again Diss pushed forward looking for gaps in the home defence, finally the break came as they score their first try of the afternoon, just close to posts, conversion added.

The try seemed to lift Diss, as once again they pushed Tigers back in to their own half, as the final whistle was close, on 79 minutes Tigers added another try, as Tigers cross the try line from a scrum on the right, there was still time for another try, with Luke Turner  going over under the posts from the wing, with conversion added just before the final whistle sounded as the final score finished  44-16.

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Tigers again were forced to make changes in the starting 15, and that maybe showed during the first 40 minutes, as they struggled to get their passing rugby going, with to many errors, the opening 15 minutes were littered with penalties from both sides, which eventually saw the hosts down to 14, while they were down a man the home side took the lead, a penalty just inside the Tigers half, and the wind at their backs, they opted to kick for the points, the ball drifted right, but stayed the right side of the posts to put 3 points on the board

The first try of the afternoon came from Ely’s best passage of play of the half, passing the ball from left to right eventually finding Luke Turner, who crossed the line in the corner, leaving a difficult kick for Jake Alsop, kicking into the breeze, the ball drifted the wrong side of the posts.

As half time approached, another penalty for the home side right in front of the posts gave them the chance to lead at the break, which they scored, as the half time whistle blew.

The second half started with pressure from Tigers as Matt McCarthy went over the try line, again in the corner leaving a difficult kick once more for Alsop, the conversion was missed, Ely started to up the pressure, winning a line out deep in Walsham’s half, saw them press the home defence, with Mitch Kennett going close, they reloaded the attack which ended in Jim Storey going over the line, again Alsop was unable to convert, the bonus point try came as the Tigers saw McCarthy freeing John Dibb from a tap and go penalty, Alsop was able to add the conversion, the last try of the game came as the Tigers old guard combined with John Dibb breaking freeing Joel Scott Paul to score, as the game drew to a close, once more the home side went down to 14 as Ely ran out 32-6 winners  

This coming weekend the Tigers face Diss, who have yet to win away from home.

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The home side went into a early lead as Luke Turner went over for a try in the corner, the conversion was missed as Jake Alsop put the ball to the left of the uprights, the visitors came more into the game, but is was Ely that added to the scoreboard, as Tigers win the ball at a line out on the right, the ball passes thru hands to find Jeremy Darley to race across the line, Alsop adds the conversion, Turner adds his second try of the afternoon as he goes over the line, again as the conversion is added, to open a 19-0 lead,

Tigers went down to 14 as Wisbech attacked the try line, a number of penalties against the home side saw the visitors on the scoresheet with a try score under the posts, with the conversion added Tigers lead 19-7 at the half time break.

Second half, started with the visitors on the attack, a chance to clear the ball with Alsop kicking up field, the kick was charged down, luckily the ball fell nice to Jordan Barnes, who sprinted forward, intern he freed Turner to race home for his 3rd try, and the bonus point 4th try, conversion added 26-7, the game was then halted after a clap of thunder nearby the referee called the players off until the storm passed.

After the restart Darley got his second try of the game, from a line out, Ely walked the ball towards the try line, as they crossed the line Darley touched the ball down, with the game coming to an end there was still time for one more try, as Matt McCarthy crossed the line to score under the posts, with Alsop added the conversion as the final score finished 38-7.

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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.

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Close opening exchanges saw neither side able to get a foothold in the game, it was the home side that took the lead, from a Tigers line out the ball is worked out to Adam Tallack who goes over in the corner, Jake Alsop was unable to add the conversion from the touch line, from the restart the visitors add their first try of the afternoon, with the added conversion they took the lead.

From the restart Ely win a penalty, Alsop opts to go for the points but the ball drifts left of the posts, from the restart a Shelford error gives the ball back to Ely, but Tigers were unable to take up the advantage.

The penalty count for both sides were starting to creep up and it was one awarded to Ely that gave Ely a slender lead as Alsop adds three points in front of the posts, Shelford break from a line out and look to attack and adding pressure on the Tigers back line, but a handling error led to a Ely scrum and the chance to clear the ball away.

Another line out saw Ely win the ball over on the right, the ball is worked out to the left as the ball passed hands, with Matt McCarthy finding Luke Turner to score, the conversion was missed from the touchline.

Shelford penalty in front of the posts gave them a chance to close the gap, which they did, from the restart Shelford cross the line to score in the corner, with the conversion missed the visitors lead at the half time break.

The second half started with Ely taking the lead under the posts as McCarthy scored, Alsop’s conversion kicked was charged down as Shelford rushed out to narrow the angle, Alsop was soon to have another chance as the penalty count increased, this time the kick was to the right of the posts as Alsop made no mistake as the opened a slender lead, another penalty saw a six point lead open, but again the lead was cut by Shelford as the score another try, the conversion would have given the visitors the lead, but the ball went off to the right off the posts.

With the game coming to close, Alsop once more saw his penalty kick drift wide of the posts, it was then the visitors turn to take a chance for 3 points, as they were awarded a penalty just in the Ely half, but the kick fell short giving the home side a chance to clear up field, from that clearance back came the visitors, piling on the pressure on the home defence, despite the effort from the home defence Shelford found the gap to score a try, with the conversion added the game came to a close with a 27-21 defeat for Tigers.

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With 30 minutes on the clock, and with the game even as neither side could find the break, with the home side found themselves behind as Ricky Neale went over the try line, conversion added, Tigers lead 7-0, from a Ely line out Tigers scored their second try of the afternoon, as Tigers move the ball from right to left, John Surbey fed Jordan Barnes who crossed the try line, the conversion fell short,

Tigers looked to be going into the break with a lead, but the home side struck back almost straight away, as from the restart. Bury go over the line under the posts, with conversion added, with Ely on the attack in the Bury half, an intercepted pass inside their half was picked off as the Bury players raced three quarters of the pitch to score under the posts, with the conversion added, the half time whistle was blown as the home side lead 14-12

Second half, and another break away try by the home side with Ely inside the 5 meter line the ball was lost and Bury broke to score, again the conversion was added as the winning gap grew, the final try came as a mirror of the others, as Ely were caught again allowing the home side to break away to score their fourth try of the afternoon, as the final score finished 28-12.

Ely drop to 10th in the league, as they play 4th place Shelford this coming Saturday 

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Tigers had the first chance to post points to the scoreboard with a penalty chance in front of the posts, upstepped Jake Alsop who made no mistake, Wymondham soon after had a chance to level the score with a penalty, against the wind, the kick pulled right of the posts and fell short,

From the restart, back came the visitors, a Ely failed to clear their lines, Wymondham pushed forward on the attack, and managed to find gaps, Ely missed tackles as they scored under the posts, with the conversion added, Tigers fall behind.

The penalty count was building against Wymondham and it was going to be those that would cost them, as Ely were awarded another penalty in front of the posts, to close the gap to a point,

While Tigers were chipping away with 3 points, the visitors were opening the gap with tries, as they found gaps in the back line, to score in the corner, leaving a difficult conversion, which was missed, two more penalties for Alsop saw the scores level at 12-12 at the break.

Second half starts with the visitors on the attack given them another try in the corner, conversion falls short, the try was followed up with a penalty, to open the gap to 8 points, the game looked to be slipping from the home side, a reshuffle for the home side as Adam Tallack was forced off due to injury, another Alsop penalty closes the score line to 5 points.

Wymondham’s penalty count finally caught up with them as they went down to 14, Ely tried to apply pressure on the visitors, and it took moment to switch the game, with Tigers looking to apply pressure and cross the try line Matt McCarthy picked up a pass and looked across the field to kick the ball towards the opposite corner,  where Sheriden Mead who picked up the pass to score in the corner, leaving a difficult conversion, which Alsop was unable to convert, with the scores at 20-20

A pen to Wymondham just to the left of the posts, where it looked impossible to miss, but somehow the ball crashed against the upright, the miss seemed to lift the home side as Ely push forward, applying pressure, the pressure pays off as the returning Nathan Brooks goes over to score a try, Alsop adds the points as Ely led 27-20, with the game closing, both side found themselves with 14 players. 

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The home side made a bright start, applying pressure on the Ely back line, Tigers held firm to win a scrum on their back line, the ball went back giving Tigers a chance to kick to touch and to clear their lines, but a poor clearance gave the ball directly back to the home side to apply more pressure, a penalty to Ely again gave them the chance to clear, which they did.

Against the run of play it was Tigers that put the first points on the board,  Tigers break from a line out, sitting up an attack, the referee awarded a penalty to Ely in front of the posts, Jake Alsop stepped up to give Ely a 3-0 lead, the lead didn’t last long as the home side hit back directly from the restart, finding the gaps in the Tigers defence to score, with the conversion added, the lead was quickly stretched with a second try in the corner, the conversion was missed, with the ball hitting the post.

Tigers looked stretched at the back with the home side adding another try to extend their lead to 17-3, as the half time break approached Tigers get their first try on the board, as Matt McCarthy crossed the line, with Alsop adding the conversion to close the gap to 17-10 at the break.

The second half started with Ely drawing level, as Jake Alsop steals the ball inside the West’s half, and crosses the try line, Alsop also added the extra points to put the scores level.

From the restart, West break down the right hand side, despite tigers hold out, West pass the ball out left to find the space and spare numbers to score, the conversion was missed, the home side once again add to their lead, after another penalty against Ely, the home side cross the line under the posts, the extra points added

The home side edged the game since extending their lead, pushing the Tigers scrum back a number of times, it was Tigers that posted the next points on the board, after a kick forward by West was chased down, John Surbey, crosses over on the wing to score a try on his debut, Alsop was unable to add the extra points as the game closed out with a 29-22 loss for the Tigers,

The loss sees Ely in 4th place in the league, as they look forward to hosting second placed side  Wymondham (30/9)

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From the restart Ipswich apply pressure on the home side, from the line out, Ipswich push towards try line, but the home side hold the ball up, giving the home side the chance to clear their lines.

First try of the afternoon comes from an Ely scum, ball out to the right to Paul Dewey, who goes over, Jake Alsop adds the extra points, a penalty to Ely, in front of the posts, gives Alsop another chance, slotting over from 27 meters to extend the lead, with half time approach, Ipswich post their first points on the board with a try, extra points added, 13-7

The start on the second half, sees Ely awarded a penalty try, much to the confusion of the Ipswich players, it also saw the visitors go down to 14 men, from the restart Ipswich hit straight back, crossing the try line to close the gap, 20-12, they were unable to add the extra points, with the ball hitting the upright 

The visitors make three changes as the visitors continue to peg Ely back in their own half, and it was the home side that were reduced in numbers as John Dibb gets shown a yellow. 

Finally, the pressure tells as Ipswich cross the try line to close the gap, 20-17, as the extra points were missed Ely hit back with open the gap, with the ball going from left to right along the try line, with Sheridan Mead crossing over in the corner after a well worked move, Alsop added the extra points to open a ten point lead, Alsop extends the lead with another penalty,  Jim Storey breaks free along the touch line to power over the try line to claim the bonus point, Alsop was unable to add the extra points.

With the game closing, from a line out, Ipswich cross the line, to also claim the bonus point, with the extra points added the game finished in 35 – 24 win for Tigers

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With St Ives struggling to field a front row, the game saw uncontested scrums, and it was the home side that applied the early pressure, but the visitors stood firm, but the home side finally made the break, with Luke Turner scoring in front of the posts, with Jake Alsop adding the conversion, the lead was quickly doubled with Tiger taking advantage of an advantage, with Matt McCarthy picking up a pass from Paul Dewey, to kick the ball forward, while racing on to pick up his own pass to rush forward to score under the posts, again the conversion in front of the post was added from a penalty to Tiger’s Mitchel Kennet scores Ely’s third try of the afternoon going over out wide, this time the conversion was missed, Alsop breaks from inside the Ely half, freeing McCarthy to score, Alsop misses the conversion as the ball comes off the upright

With half time approaching St Ives finally made inroads in the Tigers half, eventually crossing over the try line to score, with the conversion added, there was still time for Tigers to score once more, with Alsop scoring from a quickly taken a penalty, scoring under the posts, Alsop adds the extra points from his try as the half time whistle went.

From the restart, Ely score again, with another try under the post as Jimmy Storey powering over under pressure to score, another conversion from Alsop, Ely down to 14 as Adam Tallack gets shown a yellow card, during the spell of being a man down Turner adds his second try of the afternoon, with another conversion added, Turner was soon to his third and fourth try’s of the afternoon as the score board clicked towards the 60 point tally, on the stroke of full time McCarthy added his second of the afternoon, as the full time score finished 66-7 as Tigers booked their place in the final where they will play Saffron Walden on the 15th April.

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The first half started with the home side having the lion share of the ball, but unable to make the chances count, but with 11 minutes on the clock Holt crossed the try line, with a player on the overlap on the wing, where they crossed the line in the corner leaving a difficult conversion, which was missed, a error lead to the home sides second try of the game, with a kick charged down putting pressure on the back line, allowing the lead to be doubled, with the conversion added.

The home side went down to 14 for a high tackle, with the man advantage Ely looked to find a way back into the game, and they were awarded a penalty soon after, Jake Alsop opting to kick for the points, but ball went wide of the posts, a break away try for the home side from a scrum deep in their half, moving the ball out to the wings, a kick forward lead to a foot race, which the home side won to touch the ball down, conversion added, with half time approaching Ely score a try in the corner, leaving a hard conversion chance which Alsop was unable to convert, on the stroke of half time, another Ely penalty, again opting to kick, in front of the posts, Alsop scores as half time comes with Tigers trailing 19-8.

Another try for the home side, and again it was down to the extra man over on the wing, which saw the try scored in the corner, conversion missed, the home side go over the try line again, with missed tackles proving costly as the they score under the posts, leaving an easy conversion. With Ely coming back into the game, they had their best spell of the half, edging closer to the try line, a misplaced pass proved costly as the home side pick up the ball deep in their half to sprit forward to score the easiest of try’s, the conversion was added.

Holt down to 14 once more, and Ely take advantage with Mitch Kennett going over as game neared the end, conversion was missed, as time runs out, Ely score again, from a line out they pushed forward with a rolling maul as the try line gets closer Grant Storey peels of the side to dive over the line as the game finishes in a 39-18 defeat.

The defeat meant that the Tigers finished in 5th place following over clubs results, which exceeded expectations in the newly formed league, Ely now face St Ives on the 1st April in a Cup double header, for the annual Percy Walker Cup, normally a pre season fixture and the Semi Final of the Cambridgeshire Senior Cup.

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An early chance for Ely, as they were awarded a penalty, which Jake Alsop scores, soon after the first try of the afternoon came, with Ely playing the ball quickly a pass from Matt McCarthy setting up Ryan Edgewoth to show some quick footwork to sidestep a challenge to score under the posts, with the conversion added Tigers opened a 10 point lead, McCarthy went from provider to try score for Tigers next try, again the conversion was added by Alsop, Tigers switched off as Diss got their first try of the afternoon, conversion added to close the score to 17-7. McCarthy at the heart of the next Ely try, passing to Matt French who goes over the line under the posts under the tackle, Alsop adds conversion as the score at halftime finished 24-7.

Second half, starts with McCarthy kicking forward to the wing, where Aarron Borland picks up the ball to sprint home to score under the posts, Alsop added the conversion. Diss charged down a kick deep in the Tigers backline to score their second try of the game, conversion added, but directly from the restart, Tigers score once more as Luke Turner goes over to score, again the conversion was added. 

Diss score two quick try’s to close the gap, as it seems Ely seemed to switch off and close the gap to ten points, to give them some hope, but Tigers opened the gap further as Micheal Reeves bundles the ball over in the corner to score, Borland adds his second try of the afternoon, after a pass from Turner on the wing to score under the posts, Alsop adds the conversion as the Tiger hit the 50 point mark, as the referee blew the final whistle.

Next Week – Holt away, last league game of the season, 1st April, Cup fixture at home against St Ives.

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After a bright start by the home side Ely had to endure 15 minutes of pressure deep in their own half, but it was Tigers that posted the first points on the board, after a award of a penalty, Joel Scott Paul opted to kick in front of the post, the ball went over to give Tigers the lead, the lead last 10 minutes as the home side came back, a low cross field kick perfectly found the hands of the winger who crossed the line in the corner to score, with the conversion added,

A charged down kick provided Shelford with their second try of the afternoon, as they crossed the under the posts, with the conversion added, the lead quickly doubled 14-3, and that how it stayed to the half time break.

Early second half, Ely was awarded another penalty, again Scott Paul opted to kick, adding the three points to the scoreboard.

From the restart, Tigers handed the home side a chance to increase their lead, after an awarded of a penalty for a knock on, some ill-discipline saw the ball moved forward a further 10 meters, to make it an easy option to kick for three points, to open up a 11 point lead.

Tigers had a chance to post another three points on the board following a penalty for offside, Scott Paul once more opting to kick for the points, but the ball drifted the wrong side of the posts, however it was Ely that posted the next score, as Ricky Neale bulldozed his way over the line to close the gap, the conversion was missed, soon after the game looked to have changed around as Jordan Barnes broke down the wing after being released by John Dibb to score, again the conversion was missed, and proved costly as Tigers would have taken the lead, from the restart the game changed as the home side scored another try, going over in the corner, with the conversion added, as full time was getting closer, the home scored once more, as a kick forward saw a foot race which the home sides forward won as he went over the line to score, as the game finished in a 29-16 defeat for the Tigers

The coming weekend sees the final home league game of the season as they face Diss, 3pm at Cambridge Commodities Park.

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Tigers showed their early intent applying some early pressure in the scrum, and that early pressure sore Tigers go over for an early try from a scrum, the conversion was missed, from a Thurston scrum, the kicked clear, Ely managed to pick the ball up and drive forward, Jimmy Storey breaking, an inside pass to Aaron Borland to score, Jake Alsop added the conversion to increase the scoreline. 

Matt McCarthy adds another try, as Thurston were once again unable to clear their lines, Ely back on the front foot, Alsop adds the conversion, and with half time approaching Borland adds his second try of the afternoon after a pass from Paul Dewey, from the restart Ely carried on where they left off at the end of the first half as Mitchel Kennett diving over the line to score the 5th try of  the afternoon, with the conversion added, 

Borland added his third try of the afternoon, after sprinting along the wing to score, Alsop was unable to add the conversion, the try marked the end of the game for Borland as he replaced, Ely went down to 14 as Matt French was shown a yellow card, during this period the visitors scored, as the home defence was finally breached, with a nudge kick and chase to score unchallenged under the posts, the conversion was added to make the score 38-7.

From the restart second half replacement Dan Piper picks up the Ely kick, the ball was released to McCarthy who goes over the line under the posts, alsop conversion added, Kennett adds his second try soon after with another try under the posts as Ely start to turn the screw, Alsop adds the points for the conversion as Tigers pass the 50 point mark, with full time approaching McCarthy adds his third try of the afternoon in the corner, Also was unable to add the extra points as the final score finished 57-7 

Ely travel to West Norfolk on Saturday as the season draws to the business end Tigers try to cement a top four finish.

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Both sides were missing players and it showed in a disjointed game, it was the home side that scored first, with Mark Assenti crossing the try line to give the Tigers an early lead, with Matt McCarthy adding the conversion, with the early pressure it was though the home side would kick on, but the visitor’s slowly got a foothold on the game, and had a chance to cut the lead, with the award of a penalty just inside the Tigers half, instead of kicking for touch and further yards to apply pressure, they opted to kick for the three points, the kick fell short and Ely cleared their lines, only for ‘Wold to come back at them, being award another penalty, this time there was no coming up short as the ball went through the uprights, the visitors come back was hindered as they went down to 14 men for a high tackle, and Ely took advantage as McCarthy went over for the second try after a run forward to win the foot race to score, he was unable to add the conversion, the third try was soon to come, Aaron Borland had threaten with his pace a couple of times before, only for last ditch tackles to prevent him, but this time there was no stopping him, picking the ball up mid way in the Tigers half, he sprinted passed a couple of tackles to score off the wing to touch down under the posts, McCarthy added the conversion.

Another penalty for Southwold, which was added to the scoreboard, from restart, Ely break over for the bonus point try to increase the lead, with the conversion once added, back came the visitors with a the award of a penalty try. It was then Tigers chance to add three points as they were awarded a penalty, which McCarthy added, replacement John Dibb added a further try, and again the conversion was added, to increase the score to 33-13. As Southwold cleared their lines, the ball fell nicely to Ben Fortheath who quickly glanced up and scored with a drop goal.

Southwold came back into the game as the game entered its closing stages, as they added two unanswered try’s & a conversion, to close the gap to 10 points, however the pace of Borland once more caused an issue to the visitors, with the Conversion added the score stood at 43-25, it was the visitors that had the final word with the last try of the afternoon, with the conversion missed the final whistle blew with a 43-30 win, which see’s the side sit in joint 3rd place in the league

Saturday sees the side travel to play Cantabs.

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The game started evenly but it was the visitors that troubled the scoreboard first, from a Walden line out, forcing Ely back, the ball breaks out wide finding a gap in front of the posts to score unchallenged, with the conversion added Walden lead 7-0, that was the real chance of the half as it became a stop/start game.

Ely went down to 14 men as Grant Storey was shown a yellow card, but during that 10 minutes, the home side defence stood firm. As half time approached, there was no further score.

Ten minutes into the second half, Walden scored their second try, after camping out in the Ely half, Walden push over from the number 8 at the rear of the scrum to score as the scrum dominated all afternoon, the conversion was added as the score stood at 14 – 0, it was then the visitors time to go down to 14, during this time Walden had the best clear cut chance of the half, breaking from an Ely Scrum deep in the Walden back line, picking off the gaps, with the try line in sight, only a last minute tackle save Tigers going further behind, 

Ely were able to apply some pressure on the Walden defence, but they stood firm, they briefly lost another man and it was during this time Ely crossed the try line, with Matt McCarthy diving over, after some good work from Adam Tallack, the conversion went wide of the posts, the next score was to prove all important, and it was Walden that added to the scoreboard, with the award of a penalty they opted to kick for the points from just inside the Ely half, with time running out the 3 points put the game out of the reach of Tigers and it was in fact the visitors that scored on the stroke of full time as Walden camped out in the Ely half as the home side were unable to clear their lines, Walden moved the ball out wide to go over, and add the conversion as the final whistle blew as Walden march towards the league title and promotion.

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An early chance for the home side saw the first points on the board, and like previous weeks it was missed tackles the proved costly as the home side broke free to score, the conversion was missed, moments later the score was increased as missed tackles proved to be the stumbling point for Tigers, as once again the home side crossed the try line, this time the conversion was added as the home side lead 12-0.

Tigers started to come more into the game as the ball went from side to side, as the game stopped and started with both side conceding penalties, as half time approached Ely were on the scoresheet as Mitch Kennett went over as Ely applied strong pressure on the home sides backline, Jake Alsop added the conversion to reduce the arrears, there was still time for the home side to lead one more attack, but it came to nothing as the half time whistle blew.

Ely looked the brighter of the two sides as the half started, and the scores were soon level, as Michael Reeves goes over in the corner to tie the scores, the conversion was missed by Alsop, Ely in at the side, giving the home side the chance to kick for three points in front of the posts, for the home side to lead by three, with full time approaching the home side soaked up the Tigers pressure, unfortunately it was one more error from the Tigers with the try line in sight that brought the game to a close as the home side kicked the resulting penalty into touch as Tigers picked up a losing bonus point.

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It was Tigers that till an early lead with the opening try, a high cross field kick from Jake Alsop into danger area, bounced kindly into arms of Adam Tallack to score unchallenged, the conversion was missed by Alsop, Shelford pressure from restart, Ely able to clear their lines but gift Shelford the ball back from a line out, an error led to a penalty awarded against Ely allowing Shelford an easy 3 points in front of the post, the penalty count was starting to increase for both sides as Ely were awarded a penalty in front of posts 27 meters out, Alsop had no problem slotting the ball over.

Shelford pen, scrum option, despite Ely holding up Shelford get the ball out wide and find the gap to ghost pass the back line to score and take the lead, stolen ball by Ely saw the ball find its way out to the wing for Tallack delaying the pass to Aaron Borland to open his legs and miss the tackles to go in under the posts, with the conversion added, Ely once more took the lead, however the lead didn’t last long, Shelford score under the posts, after another missed tackle by the Ely back line to lead at half time 15-17

Second half started very much like the first, with Ely being awarded an early penalty, with Alsop opting to kick for the three points, but the distance was too much as the ball fell short of the upright, finally Ely made the breakthrough to score a try in the corner after a couple of penalties, the conversion was missed, but once again the lead swapped as Shelford were awarded as penalty try to open a four point gap, from a Ely scrum the lead once more swapped hands, Jim Storey breaks out of the try and surges across field, releasing Borland to pass two Shelford players to score, the scores were soon level again as Shelford were award another penalty, in front of the posts, leaving a easy chance, soon after the game was level was more with another Ely penalty, again Alsop added to his tally, finally there was daylight on the scoreboard as Eli Williamson diving over from close range, with the conversion add there was a 10 point gap, Shelford still looked to apply pressure on the home side, and from a break it allowed Ely to clear their lines, which resulted in Shelford going down to 14 for the last few minutes of the game, Ely soaked up further pressure and put the ball out of play to signal the end of the game.

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Tigers applied pressure early on with a bright opening quarter of a hour, with Ely having the first sight of the try tine, the move broke down giving the home side the ball, the penalty count for the home side was increasing, but tigers failed to take advantage, Ely were forced into an early change losing Michael Reeves with a head injury, bringing in Muncey, and it was the replacement that set up the opening try, a scrum under the post for Ely saw Muncey peel of the back, finding Nathan Brooks who wrestled his way over the try line, the conversion was missed as the ball crashed against the upright, the home side had the ideal chance to get on the scoreboard with a penalty, opting to kick, but the pull was pulled to the right of the upright, however, soon after another penalty, from almost the same position gave the home side another chance, this time they made no mistake as the ball sailed thru the middle of the posts, another penalty awarded against Ely gave the home side the chance to take the lead, again the kick was good as they took a point lead, as the first half wore on the home side were slowly finding their feet and getting a grip of the game and on the stroke of half time they crossed the try line, despite the efforts of the Ely back line, Thurston crossed the line next to the post, with the added conversion points they lead 13-5 at half time.    

First chance of the second half to Ely, with a penalty with Joel Scott Pau opting to kick, closing the gap by 3 points as the kick was good, from the restart the home opened the gap again scoring another try, after Ely left a man spare out on the wing they cross the try line in the corner but was able to touch the ball down nearer the post, leaving an easier conversion, the home side down to 14 after, a high tackle resulted in a red card, from the resulting scrum Ely went over to score with Luke Turner crossing over to bring the score back to 13-20, leaving a difficult conversion out on the touchline , the kick fell short, as the game entered the last 5 minutes the Tigers down to 14 as Brooks was shown a card, as Ely looked to kick the ball away to gain yards the ball found the arms of the home side allowing them to apply more pressure as the game finished in a 20-13 defeat, which meant Tigers picked up a losing bonus point, with this Saturday a blank week for the league, Ely hope that the break will see some of the injured players come back to the fold.

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Alsop was soon back on the score board, with a mirror image of the first penalty, again he made no mistake as Tigers went into a 11-0 lead, Cantabs started to come into the game going close twice, the first the referee played an advantage but the home side stood forward, so the play was played back, from this penalty it looked like they’d had in face crossed the line, but the official deemed that Tigers had held the ball up, giving Tigers to clear the ball up field, on the next move Cantabs did infact cross the try line after a period of pressure they found the gaps to score next to the post, leaving a easy chance for the conversion to make the score 11-7

With half time approaching Tigers were awarded another penalty, this time for a high tackle, Alsop opted to kick adding a further 3 points to lead 14-7 at the break.

The second started very much like the first, with neither side able to take control, with the first points of the half important for the either side, and it was Ely who scored first, from a scrum the ball found Aaron Borland, whose pace was no match for the backs as he founds gaps to score, Alsop was able to add the extra points, but only with the help of first the left hand upright and then the opposite upright before dropping over.

Cantabs were able to find another score, clearing a penalty kick deep in the Tigers back line, Tigers were unable to win the resulting line out, with Cantabs going over in the corner, leaving a difficult conversion, which was missed, the game was played out with no further additions to the score as the game finished in a 21-12 win.

The victory leaves Tigers in 4th place, just a point ahead of 5th place, this weekend the side travel across to Thurston, with a 2:30 kick off.

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The home side laid down their marker for the game early on, it was a game of small margins, with Tigers unable to hold tackles, or even missing tackles that cost them as Walden took an early lead, a lead that was doubled soon after, after conceding two early tries Ely looked to have cut the lead as the crossed the try line, but the referee deemed they’d been held up, soon after Tigers did cross the try line with Grant Storey diving over, but again the home side came back, and again it was errors and miss tackles that allowed the home side to increase their lead, despite the home side looking strong, their was signs that Ely could find a way back in the game as they started to find space, Olly Watts, was one player to find a gap as he broke free to pass out the ball to Matt McCarthy, but with the try line in sight the home side recovered to halt the attack, a further chance for Ely to apply pressure cam as the home side went down to 14 men, and they had the ideal chance in front of the post, a quickly taken penalty with the try line in sight, was knocked on giving the ball straight back to the home side, sound after Walden picked up their bonus point with their fourth try afternoon, soon after adding a fifth, with half time approaching their was still time for another try to lead at the break 32-5

Second half started brighter for Ely, but again missed tackles once more caused costly as Walden crossed the try line once again, with the added conversion, another try under the post saw the scoreboard heading towards 50 points, but it was Ely that added points to the scoreboard as replacement, Michael Reeves, cap an impressive display with a deserved try, Jake Alsop was able to add the extra points, the next try was also for Ely as Aaron Borland, returning to side after injury, scored under the post, leaving a straightforward conversion for Alsop, but that nearly summed up the afternoon, as a mis kick nearly saw the ball go the wrong way of the post, but the extra points were added, but Walden still found time to add another try to take them over 50 points as Walden broke from the half way line to score unchallenged, it was Ely that has the final word, score their fourth try of the afternoon to seal a losing bonus point as Ryan Edgeworth went over to score, with the conversion added the game finished in a 51-26 defeat for the Tigers.

This coming Saturday the side face Cantabs at Downham Road, having picked up an injury, it looks like they’ll be with Matt McCarthy, who was forced off at the weekend.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

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One of those changes was the welcome return to Jake Alsop who had an early chance to put some points on the board with a penalty just inside the 22 meter line, but his kick went the wrong side of the post, with that miss it was Holt that put the first points on the board, it was missed tackles that once more allowed Holt to find gaps in the back line to score the first try of the afternoon, the conversion was missed, from the restart Ely has the ideal chance to get points on the board with the reward of another penalty, Alsop made no mistake as he cut the lead, Tigers soon found themselves in front, with their first try of the afternoon with Matt McCarthy crossing the try line in the corner, with the conversion added the score stood at 10-5, the second try of the afternoon soon followed with Mitchell Kennett going over the line, with Alsop adding the extra points, the visitors looked rattled and they soon found themselves further behind, with Tigers winning the ball at the line out, they pushed forward with the maul to eventually cross the try line in the corner, leaving Alsop a difficult conversion, which was missed,

Holt’s afternoon was made more difficult with half time approaching as they were reduced to 14 men, Tigers made the advantage count as Tom Elliot added another try after finding space out on the wing to go over, with Alsop adding the conversion the Tigers led at half time 29-5.

The second half started with Holt still a man down and it was during this period that Tigers added another try with Matt French breaking free he found Josh Fry out wide who capped a man of the match performance with a try, crossing the try line unchallenged, sitting up a easy conversion for Alsop, with the score board showing 36-5, Holt, now back to a full 15, hit back with two quick try’s to make the score 36-17.

With the game heading towards full time, Alsop added a further two more penalties as the game drew to a close, Holt found themselves down to 14, but as the player left the field of play the referee blew the final whistle, the win moved Ely upto 4th place in the league, but will be tested once more next Saturday (29th) as the travel to unbeaten Saffron Walden, who have 7 wins on the board so far this season.   

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

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The game started with neither side able to get  a grip on the game, but Ely managed to get the first points on the board, with Tigers pushing YM back deep into their own half, winning a penalty, Tigers decided to take the scrum option, the Tigers pack pushing the home side further into trouble, the ball broke with Adam Tallack, whose pass out to James Buckland found Jim Storey who went over to score, with no recognized kicker in the squad, Tallack stepped up for the extra points, but the ball fell the wrong side of the points, the home sides plight was made more difficult as they went down to 14 men after a high tackle, while they were a man down, Tigers added their second try, with Alfie Ramswell going over in the corner, with a cross field wind the ball held up for the extra points as the conversion fell short.

The third try soon came, a kick out of defence by YM was picked up in the Ely half by Olly Watts, who picked his way pass the YM players to sprint forward, picking out he gaps in the home defence to cross the try line to the left of the posts, the conversion was add to give Tigers a 17-0 lead, soon after the bonus point try arrived, and again is was the Tigers pace that saw Luke Turner score under the posts, the conversion was missed, it was now that the home side finally started to apply pressure on the Tigers back line, and on the stroke of half time YM troubled the scoreboard, with Ely unable to clear the ball out, YM found the gaps to score their try, aswell as the converted points.

The second half started with the home side looking brighter, however the Tigers backline was standing firm, however the home sides second try soon came, again Ely were unable to clear their lines allowing the home side the chance to attack once more, where they finally found the gap to cross the try line under the posts, with the conversion added the lead was narrowed 8 points, Tigers then went down to 14 men as Storey was shown a Yellow card, from the resulting penalty the side opted for the three points, instead of going for the corner and applying the pressure further on Ely, the home side added the points to narrow the gap to five points, Ely now had to manage the final minutes of the game to ensure the win, they went better than that, by adding a further try, with Nathan Brooks going over the try line, with the conversion missed the referee signalled the end of the game for a 27-17 win, this Saturday (22nd) the side face Holt for their first home game in three weeks.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photos credit: Steve Wells

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The game started with neither side able to take a foothold on the game, but Diss looked the brighter of the sides, and had the first chance of the game, winning a line out close by the Tigers try line, winning the ball they moved the ball across the park, the move broke down with Ely winning a penalty giving them the chance to clear, the kicked clearance failed to find touch and the home side set up another attack, but again the move broke down with Ely winning another penalty.

Ely started to come more into the game and were given a chance to put some points on the board with a penalty, Jake Alsop deciding to kick for the points, but his kick was pushed to the right of the posts, giving the ball back to Diss to clear their lines, soon after Tigers took the lead, winning the ball from a scrum Adam Tallack broke out and waited to the prefect moment before releasing the ball to Tom Elliott who sprinted free to score the opening try, Alsop was unable to convert the conversion.

The next chance fell to the home side, winning a line out on the left hand side they moved the ball out to the right, with a man over, and the try line begging, the final ball bounced of the Diss players chest and to the ground and to safety, from a Diss scrum Ely were pulled up for a knock on giving Diss a chance to make some yards up field with half time approaching, another penalty to the home side, this one was in range to add some points to the scoreboard, as the home crowd watched on, many had already added the three points on, but the kick was hooked left of the posts, much to manys disbelief, with the last play of the half the home side were finally level, Ely cleared the ball into Diss half, had the ball found touch it would have been half time, but the ball stayed in play finding the scrum half who broke free missing tackles, finally finding a team mate who carried on to score, the conversion was missed as the half finished 5-5.

The second half saw Tigers take the lead once more, with Jake Alsop converting a penalty , but the lead didn’t last long as the home side bounced back, a kick forward found a gap leading to the Diss player picking up the ball to cross the try line, with the conversion added the home side opened a gap, the lead was soon extended further as Ely missed their tackles as a another try and conversion saw the score 19-8, at this point there was only one side in the game, the score soon went to 26-8, as once again Ely were unable to hold on to the tackles which allowed Diss to score a further try.

Soon after the restart a quickly taken penalty saw Tallack dive over the line to score the Tigers second try, Alsop was unable to add the conversion, back came the home side, but again the penalty count was increasing as Ely were awarded another, this gave Matt McCarthy the chance to gain some meters inside the Diss half, but the scrum half kept the ball in play to set up another attack putting the Tigers on the back foot, it was during this attack that the home side scored their final try of the afternoon, the conversion was missed as the score stood at 31-13, from the restart Ely pushed forward to win another penalty, which saw the home side go down to 14 men following a yellow card, it also signaled the end of the game. The game also saw further injuries sustained to the squad for this coming weekends trip to bottom side Ipswich YM. 

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

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The boys and coaches came up with the ‘Touring Tigers’ a 2881-mile coastal exercise challenge. This was the distance From Ely to Hunstanton then all the way around England’s coastal paths back to Hunstanton then back to ‘Cambridge commodities park’ the home of the Ely Tigers.

Steve, one of the U14 coaches set up Strava so everyone could record their efforts and inspire each other to achieve the goal by walking, running or cycling the combined 2881 miles. All the boys got involved with varied distances and activities and managed to get their parents involved, pushing the miles up. Alex and James, the other coaches got the boys recording their miles during training, keeping the boys fit and the team spirits strong.

As the summer drew to an end, the boys smashed the miles target reaching 5076 miles-2195 over target! They also hit their fundraising £2000 target meaning on their first game back they all had extra new balls and equipment to use which they had raised through their hard work during the summer.

On Tuesday 5th of October, the boys got to support Ely foodbank by shopping for over £700 worth of goods which they donated to the foodbank by with the support of the manageress of our newly opened CO-OP store on St. Marys Street, Ely, Donna Smith and Steve Smith the local CO-OP member pioneer, and a representative of Ely Foodbank Sophie Bell.

Sophie said “This is a fantastic amount of food and it’s really going to help our clients at this difficult time. As the cost-of-living crisis if affecting so many of us, we are seeing a rise in the number of people coming to us for help to put food on the table; some are regular or returning clients, but many are new individuals, couples, and families too. At the same time, we are also seeing a drop in donations, as our regular donors are having to make difficult choices about where they spend their money as well. So, to see this much food coming in really is wonderful and everyone at Ely Foodbank is very grateful.”

Alex, Steve and James said “It’s been great to watch all the boys bonding whilst keeping themselves active and supporting their mental health after what been an unprecedented few year for them. You can see how they felt understanding what all their hard work has achieved making us all very proud coaches.”

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

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It was the home side that troubled the scoreboard first, winning a line out they moved the ball right to left finding the winger, who was able to brush off and miss tackles to score, with the conversion added, the home side lead 7-0, Tigers were forced into a early change, but they drew level soon after the opening try, a kick forward by Jake Alsop bounced kindly for Aaron Borland, who picked up the loose ball to glide in un challenged to score under the posts, with Alsop adding the conversion to level the scores.

Bury once again took the lead in a carbon copy of the first try, once again moving the ball out to the winger who added his second try of the afternoon. The side then were reduced to 14 men, following a penalty, which gave Jake Alsop a chance to reduce the score line from just outside the 22, in front of the posts Alsop put the ball through the posts to make the score 14-10.

Despite being a man down Bury once more increased their score, again missed tackles and space out wide proved the downfall of the Tigers as Bury crossed the line, but they were unable to add the conversion, an error by Bury from the restart once again saw the pace of Borland that proved to much for the home side as he was able to cross the try line under the posts, once again giving Alsop the chance to add the conversion, to close up the score line

Ely had the chance to nudge ahead, wining another penalty, further out than the previous ones, and more at the angle of the posts, Alsop was unable to add the points as the ball stayed low and went off to the right. A perfectly place kick forward from Alsop placed the ball perfectly in the corner to set up Ely’s next attack, with the line out placing Bury on their own try line, but Tigers were unable to win the ball giving the home side the perfect chance to clear their lines, but the head win meant the ball didn’t travel far and back came Ely, but the attack was halted with the award of a penalty to the home side, where the referee was forced to take both captains to one side following a bout of pushing and shoving as the first half came to a close.

The second half saw the home side take control of the game and they soon added another try, from a scrum deep in their own half the ball broke out and within two passes the home side run the length of the pitch to score, with the conversion added, it seemed the try deflated Ely, but another penalty after a tip tackle gave Alsop a chance to again reduce the score line, the chance was converted, but two quick try’s took the game away from Ely, the first coming from a Bury scrum enabling them to score in the corner, giving the kicker a difficult chance with the conversion, which was missed, sound after the added another try after once again tackles were missed leading to Bury scoring with the conversion added, it was Ely’s turn to be reduced to 14 as the came entered the final stages, an error from Ely lead to the final try of the game, a kick forward bounced unkindly and just out of reach for the Tigers defence, but fell nicely into the hands of the home side who was able to run forward to score with the added conversion to wrap the game up, with a 45-20 score line

The defeat leaves Ely in 7th place in the league on 9 points, the Tigers are on the road again this coming weekend as they travel to 9th place Diss, for a rearranged fixture from the opening day of the season.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

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Tigers started the game the brighter and were first to put points onto the scoreboard, with Tigers winning the scrum on the left they worked the ball across field, with Matt McCarthy picking out the ideal time to release the ball to Aaron Borland whose pace was to much for the Norfolk defence as he crossed the try line to score, with Scott Paul adding the conversion to give Tigers an early 7 point lead, moment later Scott Paul had a further chance to add to the score, with Tigers being awarded a penalty just outside the 22 meter line, they opted to kick for the points, which they did as the ball sailed through the posts.

West Norfolk started to come more into the game, applying pressure on the Ely defence, with the try line within sight, and with the overlap and space, the final ball was dropped and knocked on, giving Tigers the chance to clear their lines, but the ball wasn’t cleared out enough as back on the attack West came, eventually winning a penalty in front of the posts, like Ely they opted to kick for the points to reduce the deficit to 10-3, from the restart a mistake handed the ball back to West Norfolk on the half way line, West won the scrum and broke free, only some last ditch tackles prevented the scores being level, again West applied pressure on the Tigers back line, again the overlap was there but the Tigers backline held the ball up to prevent the try, from the restart, West Norfolk again won the ball, as they moved the ball from left to right across the field of play, eventually winning another kick-able penalty to reduce the score to 10-6.

Despite all the pressure it was Ely that scored the next try of the game, as Tigers won a line out on the left, and by moving the ball quickly through hands, finding Borland once more on the wing, whose quick pace and feet saw him ghost pass the tackles to score unchallenged under the posts, giving Scott Paul and easy conversion chance to extend the lead, from the restart Ely went on the attack once more, with kick forward from McCarthy not finding touch as West kept the ball in play, but their kick forward was poor and was picked up by Adam Tallack whose strong surge forward released Scott Paul to go over the try line and again to touch down under the post, with the conversion added.

The second half with West on the attack once more and they were first to trouble the scoreboard scoring under the posts, with the conversion added, with West looking to apply more pressure, Tigers were dealt a blow as replacement Luke Turner received a yellow card, to reduce the Tigers to 14, but it was Ely that added to the score line as Borland added his third try of the afternoon, once again his pace  caused all sorts of issues for West Norfolk, as he dabbed the ball down under the posts, Tigers added a further try soon after, a break from Scott Paul saw Matt French to race clear to score in the corner, leaving a difficult kick for Scott Paul and the conversion, but Scott Paul kick was measured to a tee as the ball dropped the correct side of the posts for the extra points, back came West, a cross ball pass was picked up and unchallenged West crossed the try line unchallenged under the post, conversion added to make the score 38-20

With the game nearing full time Tigers went down once more to 14 men, with Scott Paul being shown a yellow card, along with Ely Coach, Paul Coulson, again with just 14 men it was Tigers that added to the scoreboard, with French breaking free to race forward and touch down under the posts, the conversion was added by McCarthy, but as the final whistle blew that was still chance for West Norfolk to go down to 14 men as Tigers run out 45-20 

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo Credit: Steve Wells

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Forced into changes due to player availability meaning some players would be playing off position, the game saw a league debut for Aaron Borland, and the return to the pack for Eli Williamson.

The game didn’t start well for the Tigers as they were forced into a early change as Tom Elliott was forced off due to injury, both sides failed to get an early grip to the game, with the home side trying to take advantage of the strong cross field win, but it was Ely that posted the first points on the board, moving the ball across field from left to right finding Borland out on the wing where his pace was too much for the home side touching down in the corner, kicker Matt McCarthy was unable to add the conversion as the wind held the ball up, McCarthy was soon to have a further chance to extend the lead with a penalty but again the kick was missed, the home side then had a penalty of their own to reduce the score line, with the wind in their favor the ball went through the posts.

From another kick forward, with Southwold looking to add pressure on the Ely backline, Ely went on the attack, the ball dropping kindly to Paul Dewey who moved forward across the pitch until releasing Borland once more to add his second try on the afternoon under the posts, with the conversion added, Ely looked to be in control of the game, soon after McCarthy added a try to his points tally, again going cross the line near the posts, with the added conversion, the home sides afternoon then got harder for10 minutes as they went down to 14 men, but it was the home side that posted the next points with a penalty kick, with half time approaching it was Ely turn to be reduced in numbers with John Dibb being shown a yellow card.

With Ely starting the second half a man down it was the home side that tried to make it count as they camped out in the Ely half looking for in gaps in the Ely defense, but they stood firm, it was Ely with the next chance to increase their lead with another penalty, instead pushing on looking for the bonus point try, they decided to kick for the points, but the kick fell short allowing Southwold to pick the ball up and look to clear their lines, an even second half saw play ebb and flow from side to side, and the home side eventually finding the gap to score their opening try of the afternoon, the conversion was missed, but the score seemed to add some extra belief into Southwold, but from the restart Ely were awarded a further penalty, with McCarthy added the points, with the game heading towards the final stages the game came to alive, with Southwold adding another try and a conversion, Southwold need to push forward from the restart as the could sense a victory, however they gave away another penalty giving Ely the chance to open the gap up once more, McCarthy made no mistake with this kick using the wind just perfectly as the ball went through the post as the referee signaled the end of the game as Ely run out 25-18 winners.

Speaking after the game, Captain Lory Martin said “Southwold is a tough place to go and play, but everybody stepped up and it was a strong performance from the entire squad which deserved the win. Excellent defence was shown against a big pack, and our backs were superb considering we had some newer players and players out of position. A great platform to build on for next week’s game against West Norfolk”

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

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As part of our recent affiliation to Northampton Saints we were invited to be their club of the match. The day involved a coaching session from the club, followed by an official signed shirt presentation and then forming the guard of honour to welcome the teams onto the pitch. As we arrived at the Gardens the heavens opened, but not to be deterred sixty minis and youth tigers took to the training pitches for their session. Showing the true grit and determination that our Tigers are renowned for they all had a great time in the rain and worked hard.

Once we had all dried out Ely Tigers were presented to all the Saints fans in the village. Club captain Lewis Ludlam was on hand to make the presentation of the signed shirt and was kind enough to take lots of photos and sign autographs for our Tiger cubs.

As the presentation was made the sun broke through the clouds and we suddenly thought we were in for a bright spring afternoon. Alas the sunshine did not last long, but this did not take the shine off the afternoon. Just before kick off forty of our finest took to the pitch to take part in the Guard of Honour, forming an impressive tunnel of black and gold. Speaking as parents as well as a coach it was a very proud moment for us all seeing them represent our club. 

Ely Tigers is a great family club from root to branch and this was evident as we had players from 6-16 and then parents, grandparents and aunties and uncles all coming along to share the day with us. In what was a hard fought game in which the conditions played their part, Saints narrowly lost out. So congratulations go to Sale in what was a hard fought game. As the final whistle blew it gave our Tigers the opportunity to meet the players, something that wouldn’t be possible in other sports. Hopefully this spurs them on to work even harder and one day we will see an Ely Tiger running out for the 1st XV. 

In speaking to the Saints team after the match they were so impressed with our players and support. Through our affiliation they are about to start a rugby programme at City of Ely College and we are looking to roll this out to further schools in the coming year. So if you are a local school that would be keen please contact our ambassador Chris Holmes at elytigerssaints@gmail.com for further information. 

Luke and the team at Saints mentioned how impressive our reach into the community is and that they can see Ely is a rugby city. This is through all the hard work of our players, parents, volunteers and supporters.

So a massive thanks goes out to you all, we wouldn’t be who we are without you. As a community we are greater than the sum of all our parts, so long may this continue. 

Please watch this space for further Saints/Tigers matches and coaching sessions at the club. 

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

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Tigers fielded a changed starting 15 handing debuts to Michael Reeves and Joe Coyle, there was also a place for Joel Scott Paul, who due to injury has been missing from the squad.

Tigers made the brighter start, and with 14 minutes on the clock they scored the first try of the evening, as in previous weeks, Ely scrum has been powerful, and proved the same again, as they pushed Shelford back towards their try line, George Newman was able to break from the rear to find Nathan Brookes to go over, Jake Alsop added the conversion to give Tigers a 7-0 lead, with 21 minutes on the clock, the second try of the evening came, and a it was a mirror image of the first, Ely scrum, Shelford pegged back on their try line, Newman finding Brookes for his second try of the evening, with Alsop adding the conversion, the lead was soon increased again, and again it was the Ely scrum proved to strong for Shelford, again Newman was able to peel of the back and carried the ball over the try line, Alsop was able to add the extra points.

Ely were continually getting success from the line out, with the impressive Matt French winning the majority of the ball in the air, and it was from a line out that the fourth try of the evening came, a line out inside the 5 meter area, saw the Ely pack push back Shelford, with the try line in sight Brookes went down with the ball, Alsop was able to add the extra points with half time looming, from the restart the home side had their best spell of the game, forcing Ely into needless errors and penalties, it was from a penalty that Shelford scored their first points of the evening, going over the try line near the posts as Ely’s defense gave out, the conversion was added as the half time score finished 28-7.

The second started with both sides failing to gain any advantage, it was Ely that added to the score board first, from another line out inside the 5 meter area, Ely were able to get Brookes over again for his third try of the evening, Alsop was unable to keep his 100% record as the ball went to the right of the upright as Ely led 35-7, Ely then lost their advantage at the scrum with the scrums going to uncontested, on 65 minutes Ely added to their score, with Brookes finding space to break his pass found second half replacement, Grant Storey, who sped forward to go over the try line to keep up his impressive recent scoring record, as the final score finished with a 40-7 win.

Tigers go back to league action this weekend with the visit to the Cambridge Commodities Park of third placed Thurston, kick off 3pm.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

The post Cup Win for Tigers appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

With Storm Eunice passed, the weather was still to play its part on the fixture with the heavy rain making the pitch sticky, and the cross-field breeze making kicking difficult.

Tigers had an early chance to post a score on the scoreboard with a penalty award two meters inside the Woodbridge half, Captain Matt McCarthy opted to hand Jake Alsop an early chance, but the win pushed the ball to the right of the uprights for the chance to be missed, with 20 minutes on the clock Tigers finally broke the deadlock with Eli Williamson going over the try line to the left of the post, leaving Alsop an easier chance to add the extra points to lead 7-0.

The lead was increased soon after, with Ely winning the ball at the line out inside the 5 meter line, the pack pushed Woodbridge back until Grant Storey at the rear was able to touch the ball down for a try, the extra points was missed as the ball once again was hindered by the wind, the next try come as a mirror image of the last, line out ball won, after pushing the home side further back, McCarthy spun of the back to free Adam Tallack to score in the same place as the previous try, again the conversion fell short to give the Tigers a 17-0 lead at half time.

The second half started with the bonus point try, with Nathan Brooks going over in the corner unchallenged, McCarthy took over from Alsop for the extra points, but again the crossfield win pushed the ball wide and short, Ely started to play some flowing rugby, moving the ball across field with second half with second half replacement, Jordon Barnes,  starting the move, but with the try lay in sight the referee pulled back play for a earlier infringement, however the next try soon came, this time it was Alfie Ramswell that crossed the try line, again Alsop was unable to add the conversion.

As the rain and wind started to dull down, there was still time for a final try, with Barnes capping off a fine second half performance with a try in the right hand corner, again Alsop was unable to add the conversion points as the game come to a close, with Tigers running out 32-0 winners, the win brings Tigers 7 points behind Holt, with two league games left to play.

Tigers take a break from league action this week, as they travel to Davey Field, Shelford to play the clubs 2nds in a County Cup fixture, on Friday evening.    

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

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The post Tigers Winning Run Continues appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

Ryan Clark got the game underway for the Tigers, as the ball came down it was gathered by Adam Tallack, the forwards helped push the ball forward picking up momentum until the ball was released by captain Matt McCarthy to Alfie Ramswell who crossed over the try line in the corner, Jake Alsop was unlucky with the conversion, made difficult by the strong winds, on this occasion the ball hit the upright and fell away, the lead was quickly doubled, with Tigers winning a line out, again the forwards pushed forward, pushing YM backwards, as they were unable to prevent Nathan Brooks going down to score, Alsop was able to add the conversion to lead 12-0.

YM started to come more into the game from the restart, and on their first attack they were able to put points on the board, as they went over to the right of the post, the conversion, like the Tigers first one cannoned off the posts, the game started to settle down with both sides looking to gain yards, and it was Ely that troubled the scoreboard once more, from a Tigers scrum, with George Newman breaking out of the scrum to feed Alsop, who broke free to weave thru the defense to score, he was unable to convert his own try, with 15 minutes on the clock, Ely had secured the bonus point try, with Newman once more in the thick of things, with the ball finally finding Ramswell for his second try of the afternoon, again the conditions hampered the conversion as Tigers lead 22-5, the visitors chances of coming back into the game were hampered when they went a man down to a yellow card for a tackle, Tigers were unable to make the numerical advantage count as they weather the storm, as YM went back to their 15, it was Tigers that then then lost a man, with Matt French shown a yellow card, with the resulting penalty YM camped out on the Ely try line, but they failed to take any advantage as the half time break came.

The visitors started the better of the two sides with Ely pinned back and it cam as no surprise when they scored a converted try to close the gap to 10 points, from the restart Tallack once more gathered up the ball from the restart but YM stole it back, applying more pressure on the Tigers line, on 61 minutes YM were awarded a penalty, opting to go for the points, a successful attempt would have brought YM to touching distance away, the kick looked good, using the wind to bend the ball back in, but it didn’t move enough as the ball hit the post and fell to arms of Ely, enabling them the chance to clear up field.

Another penalty for YM gave them another chance to close the gap, this time closer in, and this time there was no mistake as the ball sailed thru the posts, the visitor’s were now just a converted try away from drawing level, on 73 minutes a mistake from YM that was to prove a costly one, with Matt French picking up the ball to race free towards the try line, managing to touch down under a challenge, with Alsop able to add the extra points, to open on a gap, as the game drew to a close, there was still time for YM to finish off the scoring, with 80 minutes on the clock they managed to score a converted try, the time was now in the hands of the official, a mistake from the restart from Clark gave the ball back to YM and a scrum, on the half way line, Ely had to win the ball back, they stood firm, the official finally brought the game to a close with players from both sides pushing and shoving each other as tempers rose.

The win leave Tigers in second place, 8 points behind league leaders Holt, with three games left, it looks like a play-off place for Tigers come the end of the season, with third placed Thurston 10 points behind, and who have still to visit Ely.

Next up for Tigers is an away trip to bottom placed Woodbridge on the 19th February.  

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

The post Tigers Hold Out for Win appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

Newmarket had already taken the points earlier in the season when they visited Ely, Tigers made one change to the starting XV, with James Buckland coming in to replace the injured Charlie Coupland.

From the first whistle the game had that feel of a local derby, with Tigers looking the busier of the two sides, and it was no surprise that they put the first points on the board, with Grant Storey scoring for the third match running, after Ely won the ball at a line out, Storey was able to dive over the line to score, Jake Alsop added the conversion for a 7-0 lead, a mistake from a Ely scrum enabled Newmarket to apply pressure on the Tigers back line, but Ely once more won the line out ball, giving them a chance to kick the ball clear, but the blustery wind meant the ball wasn’t cleared far.

Matthew French was proving to be too much in line out for Ely as they won yet another line out from Newmarket ball, the chance gave Ryan Clear a chance to kick forward, it was another line out that Ely scored there next try, this time opting to go short in the arms of Ricky Neale, as Ely pushed forward the ball found Mitchel Kennett who crossed over the line to touch the ball down, Alsop added the extra points, moments later Alsop added a penalty to the score board as Tigers led 17-0.

Newmarket were the next to trouble the scoreboard, moving the ball across the pitch until finally they found a gap in the Tigers backline to go over the try line under the posts unchallenged, with the conversion added with ease, directly from the restart Ely opened the gap once more, Clark fed the ball out to the wing, missing out Alsop into the hands of Paul Dewey who showed a clean pair of heels as he headed to the corner, going down over the try under the challenge from Newmarket, Alsop was unable to add the conversion, as the half came to an end Newmarket were awarded a penalty, they decided to kick for the points, but the ball fell short.

The second half saw Tigers loose one of the advantages as the scrums went to uncontested, the scrums during the first 40 minutes saw Ely gain some important meters, Ely started the half very much like the first, winning line out ball giving the change for Matt McCarthy to set up Alfie Ramswell to score, Alsop failed to add the conversion, from the restart Ely were quick to win the ball back, McCarthy kicked forward, wind assisted the ball was once more in the danger area, put the home side under pressure from another line out, with Tigers bearing down on the try line, Newmarket managed to hold Kennett up, giving Newmarket the chance to clear the ball from under their posts, but with wind holding the ball up, Ely were once more on the attack, Clark put in a small looping kick, which should have been collected by the home side, but an awkward bounce fell to second half replacement Mark Assenti who showed some neat footwork to kick the ball forward over the try line for Assenti to touch the ball down, Alsop was unable to add the conversion, another line out ball won by Ely saw another try for Tigers, with Eli Williamson going over the try line, Alsop was able to able to add the conversion, the last play of the game saw Newmarket on the attack and pushing Ely back, but a handling error from Newmarket brought the game to an end.

The game see’s Ely stay in second place 8 points behind leaders Holt, Tigers next game will be at home on the 12th February when they face Ipswich YM, a side that have started to find some form and another side that beat Tigers earlier in the season.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

The post Tigers Continue Winning Streak in Derby Day Win appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

From the start both sides looked to gain the upper hand, with Thetford kicking their way into the Ely half, but the home defence stood firm, it was the home side that posted the first points on the board, quick hands saw a break from Matt French, taking him over the try line, the conversion looked to be a straight forward keep for Jake Alsop, but the ball stuck the upright and bounced to safety, the lead was soon to be doubled as Tigers picked up the momentum, a line out in the corner was won by Tigers as the pack pushed Thetford back enabling Grant Storey to score, again Alsop failed with the extra points as Tigers led 10-0.

From the restart, Tigers were soon back on the front foot, again moving the ball around the park with quick hands, the ball finally found Eli Williamson on the try line to go over under the posts, Alsop added the extra points, as Ely went into a 17-0 lead, Ely looked in control of the game and it wasn’t long before the bonus point try came, it came from yet another line out win, with the impressive French winning the ball a number of times, the Ely pack was to strong from Thetford pushing them back, the ball coming out of the pack finding captain Matt McCarthy who went over to score.

The penalty count was increasing for Thetford, and the next try came from a penalty, with Ely winning a scrum inside the five metre area, again the ball came out the rear as Tigers pushed Thetford back, George Newman appeared from the rear to cross over the try line with ease, Alsop added the extra points, with the half time break approaching McCarthy added his second try of the afternoon, another impressive break from French set up McCarthy who crossed the try time, Alsop added the conversion as Ely lead 36-0 at the break.

Second half started as the first had finished, with Tigers on the attack, again it was Ely’s power at the scrum that proved to much as Williamson going over for his second try of the afternoon, Alsop added the conversion, from the restart Ely went on the attack, a quickly taken penalty which enabled allowed Newman to cross the line for his second try of the afternoon, Alsop was unable to convert the extra points as Thetford charged down the kick.

A penalty against Ely saw the visitors opt to kick for points from just inside the Ely half, the ball fell short of the posts allowing Ely the chance to clear their lines, but the as Ely picked the ball up a handling error saw a knock on, giving Thetford the chance to apply some pressure, and they finally broke the Ely try line, the conversion fell short as the scoreboard read 48-5.

Ely where soon back on the attack, following another powerful scrum, enabled Adam Tallack cross over, again Alsop was unable to add the conversion, from now to the final whistle it was attack after attack from the home side, with Mitchel Kennett going over the try line under the posts, again after some good work from Man Of The Match, Matt French, with Alsop adding the conversion, soon after Kennett had a chance to score his second try of the afternoon, but the Thetford defence held him up, however the home side was soon to trouble the scoreboard once again as McCarthy scored his third of the afternoon, with Alsop adding the conversion, from the restart they crossed the line once more, with home side picking the ball up and moving the ball across the pitch, with Paul Dewey and Storey open in space in the right, with Storey going over in the corner for his second try of the afternoon as Ely breached the 70 point mark, Alsop then added to his conversion points, by adding two try’s to his tally, the first coming after some good work by Nathan Brooks, as the game entered into the final minutes Alsop cross over again for the final core of the afternoon as the game finished 84-5

The win puts Tigers 8 points behind Holt, and sets up the weekend’s A142 derby as they travel to Newmarket.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

The post Tigers Pile on the Points to Keep Pressure on Leaders appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

The side travelled to Fakenham, a side they’d already beaten heavily back in October, the game started brightly for Tigers, pinning the home side back in their own 22, but it was the home side that made the first breakthrough, Tigers having been penalised gave the home side the chance to put the ball into the corner, winning the resulting line out, Fakenham went over in the corner to score the opening try from Luke Boynes, with Murry Tindal adding the conversion.

Both sides looked to be suffering from rustiness, with knock on’s and forward passing seeing the game stop-start, on 30 minutes captain Matt McCarthy crossed over the try line for Tigers, despite some solid defence from the home side, Jake Alsop added the conversion to level the scores, from the restart, the lead was increased as Grant Storey broke forward, with the try line in sight, Storey was brought to ground, but Tigers carried on pushing forward with the ball once more in Storey’s hands as he went over to score, Alsop was unable to convert the extra points, with Half time looming, the Tigers lead increased further, this time it was Alfie Ramswell who crossed over the line after a break from Matthew French, French timing the pass at the right time to enable Ramswell to score, again Alsop was unable to add the extra points.

The second half started in similar pattern to the first, Ely on the attack, while the home side looked likely to score, Ely soon however got back in their stride, as they looked for that all important bonus point try, some quick hands moved the ball quickly, with Luke Turner feeding Alsop who crossed over to dab the ball down to the right of the post, Alsop was able to add the conversion as the scoreboard read, 24-7.

Fakenham started to fight back, with the home side adding pressure on the Tigers defensive line, during this play, French was shown a yellow card, and the home side took advantage of it as a outside pass to winger Jamie Tuck for his first senior try, Tindal was again added the extra points, with a man down, Ely needed to work hard, however it was Tigers that scored the next try, Alsop turned provider a small dab forward through a gap in the defence saw some neat foot work also from second half replacement Nathan Brooks, saw the ball cross the try line before Brookes dived onto the ball to score the try, Alsop added the extra points.

There was still time for another Tigers try, some quick neat passing from Ryan Clark, Alsop and Turner set up Lory Martin who went over to score, Alsop was unable to add the extra points, as the game came to a close it was the home side that had the last word as Ashley Stewart scored the last try of the afternoon, the conversion was unsuccessful as the final score finished with a 36-19 Tigers win.

Tigers Line Up, Stacy Mould, Grant Storey, Ricky Neale, Mitch Kennett, Tom Green, Matt French, George Newman, Adam Tallack, Ryan Clark, Alfie Ramswell, Matt McCarthy, Charlie Coupland, Paul Dewey, Jake Alsop – Replacements, Nathan Brooks, Jim Storey, Luke Turner  

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

The post Tigers Start Year Off With An Away Win appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

The game started well for the home side, scoring the first try of the afternoon on 10 minutes to give them an early lead, the conversion points couldn’t be added as the ball drifted wide, a poor clearance from Wisbech enabled Ely to go on the attack, Jake Alsop picked up the ball by the try line, with Adam Tallack to cross over the try line to draw the sides level, with the conversion added by Alsop, Tigers edged the lead, the lead was quickly doubled, an Ely scrum and some quick hands saw captain Matt McCarthy dance thru the Wisbech defence to score, again Alsop was able to add the extra points to open up a gap, from the restart the Tigers got caught napping allowing Wisbech to go over the try line, a mirror attack of the first, again the conversion was missed.

The home side went down to 14 men after the player kicked the ball away after the award of a penalty in front of the posts, inside the 22, it seemed that with the home side down a man, the option of going for the try would have made sense, but captain McCarthy opted for the 3 points, Alsop obliged and slotted the ball over, meaning Wisbech would need a try and conversion to draw level, Ely opened the gap further, this time with Charlie Coupland finding a gap to go over after finding another gap in the backline, Alsop again added the extra points, with half time looming there was still chance, with Nathan Brooks finding another gap in the back line to dive over for a try, Alsop was unable to add the points from the angle, with that the referee blew for end of the half with Ely leading 29-10

A stop/start beginning to the second half saw the penalty count for both sides increase, and it gave Alsop the chance to add to his points tally of the afternoon from inside the 22 and in front of goal, he easily made the points, but again from the restart, Ely got punished with Wisbech picking up a loose ball, and missed tackles enabled Harry Holmes to go over unchallenged, the conversion was missed.

The game started to eb and flow, with the side starting to gain some extra meters, a low kick forward put Wisbech inside the 5 meter line, giving them the chance to apply pressure on the Tigers backline, Tigers managed to steal the ball from the line out, given Ryan Clark the chance to clear the ball, but the home side was able to come back and apply more pressure, another line out gave Wisbech the ideal chance, but it was deemed not straight allowing Ely another chance to clear their lines, after soaking up the pressure, Ely once more crossed the try line, with Alsop finding the speed and the gaps to race towards the try line, unchallenged he crossed the line under the post where he converted the points, Alsop was soon back on kicking duties as another penalty was awarded inside the 22, and again the three points were added.

Another break from Ely’s Paul Dewey, saw Wisbech finish the game with 14, as Dewey released the ball the tackle came in late, and the yellow card came out, Ely finished the game on top, with two more try’s, Mitchell Kennett scored his first try of the afternoon, Alsop wasn’t able to add the conversion points, while McCarthy added his second try of the afternoon, from a kick forward, McCarthy raced forward and showed some neat foot work to knock the ball over the line before adding the hand to put the ball down under the posts, with Alsop adding the extra points to complete the scoring for the that afternoon as Tigers run out 54-15 winners

The win moves Tigers into second place, and hope to pick up on the 15th January when the league program resumes after the Christmas break with an away fixture against Fakenham.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

The post Tigers Take the Spoils in Derby Day Win appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

The game started well for both sides, as both sides tried to get a foot hold in the game, it was the home side that put points on the board as the referee award Ely a penalty, they opted to kick for the points, as Jake Alsop made light work of slotting the ball thru the posts, on the half hour mark, Tigers extended their lead as Ricky Neale went over in the corner, Alsop added the conversion to give the home side a 10-0 lead.

The league leaders looked rocked as they looked for a way back into the game, but it was the home side that added to the scoreboard as half time approached, again it was Neale that went over the line, again with Alsop adding the extra points to give Tigers a 17-0 half time lead.

The second half started very much like the first, with both sides looking to gain meters, but it was Ely that had the upper hand, a clearance into the corner, out pressure on the Holt line out, which was won by Ely, this gave them the chance to push forward towards the try line, with Nathan Brooks going down over the try line, Alsop was unable to add the extra points, on the next drive it was a mirror image of the try scoring move, again the line out was won, and Ely pushed forward with Matt French going over to score, Alsop was able to add the extra points as Ely lead 27-0, with the clock closing in on the 80 minute mark, Holt started to push and pressure more, but as the Tigers defense stood firm, but a poor clearance fill nicely for Holt, which enabled Ollie Woodrow to go over, with Grant McConnell kicked the added points for the conversion, the clock had passed the 80 minute mark as on the next play from a scrum Ely put the ball into touch for the final whistle to sound for a 27-7 win for Ely

The win leaves Tigers in third place, with a derby against Wisbech on Saturday, as they sign off before the Christmas Break

Ely Tigers First Team: Nooteoom, Neale, Edgeworth, Kennett, French, Holloway, Martin, Brooks, Tallack, Clarke, Ramswell, McCarthy, Coupland, Assenti, Alsop – Replacements Linton, Wolverson, Yates

Cambridge Commodities Man Of The Match – Adam Tallack

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo Credit: Steve Wells

The post Tigers Halt League Leaders Unbeaten Run appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

The game started with Thurston on the front foot, picking the ball up inside the Tigers half, too many missed tackles meant the home side crossed the try line for an early try, with the conversion added, they lead 7-0, Ely were award a penalty, and took the decision to go for the points instead of looking to add pressure in the corners, up stepped captain Matt McCarthy, in the absence of Jake Alsop, the kick looked on target but fell just short of the post as the win pushed the ball away, soon after Tigers crossed the try line, with Nathan Brooks diving over with an outstretched arm to place the ball down, McCarthy added the conversion to tie the scores up at 7-7.

The home side had the chance to take the lead as the half time break was looming, awarded a penalty inside the 22, in front of the posts, it looked like the home side would have that lead at half time, however the wind once more effected the ball, pushing the ball to the right and hitting the upright, giving Tigers the chance to clear the ball up field.

The second half saw both sides cancel each other out as both sides tried to gain meters but the conditions were making it tough for both sides, the break thru came for Tigers who scored there second try of the afternoon, with Jack Yates, making his first senior appearance of the season, crossed over the try line in the corner, McCarthy was able to convert the conversion, again due to the gusting winds as Ely lead 12-7, the home side upped the pressure, looking to draw level, they looked to have found a gap, but some solid and stern defending held the ball up on the line, giving the Tiges chance to clear up field, as the game drew to close, it was becoming a stop/start game as the penalty count increased, the final penalty of the game saw Ely put the ball out of play for the final whistle to blow.

With Newmarket winning at home against Wisbech, Tigers slip to third place, just a point behind, with league leaders Holt visiting Ely on Saturday (3pm kick off)

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

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The post Tigers weather the storm to take the away win appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

The game started brightly for the home with the forward line on the front foot, with Nathan Brookes breaking clear only to be pulled back by the referee after an infringement, and it was from the restart that Woodbridge took full advantage, a high kick forward from their 22 meter line bounced kindly for the visiting forward who raced forward to cross the try line, with the conversion added to give the visitors an early 7-0 lead.

The lead didn’t last long, as Ely crossed the try line with George Newman going under the post, to give Jake Alsop the chance to draw the Tigers level, with the extra points converted, Ely from the restart started to apply pressure and it was no surprise when they took the lead, with Adam Tallack fed the ball to Mitch Kennett who crossed the try line, with Alsop adding the extra points, on the next drive the lead was extended further, with captain Matt McCarthy freeing Alfie Ramswell who jumped over a lunging tackle to cross the line in the corner, Alsop failed to add the extra points, midway thru the half and with Ely leading 19-7, the bonus point try was just around the corner, with Kennett scoring his second of the afternoon after finding space in the back line, again Alsop added the extra, as Woodbridge heads started to drop, the next try was soon to come as Tom Green went over the line, despite two Woodbridge backs trying the best to hold him up under the posts, with Alsop able to add the extra points.

The Ely forward line looked to be back to its best after a few stuttering performances  of late, and the next try was possibly the best of the afternoon, with the forward line moving the ball from side to side and with the use of some quick hands and a one handed lay off from Ryan Clark to Brookes, saw Brookes cross over to score his first try of the afternoon, again Alsop added the extra points, before the half time break there was still chance for a further try, with Kennett adding his third of the afternoon, after some good work along the wing by Ramswell, again the extra points were added to give Ely a 47-7 lead going into the break.

The second half started much like the first, it seemed like Ely had switched off, allowing Woodbridge to cross the try line, very much like the start of the first half, but this time the conversion was missed, but from this point, the home side went up a gear, and it seemed like each visit to the Woodbridge half that the home side would score.

McCarthy scored two tries in quick succession, and with Alsop converting the extra points, the score board soon passed the 60 point mark, further tries from Newman, Kennett, his fourth and fifth of the afternoon, Coupland, Brookes, his second, and Green, his second, the later pushing the scoreboard to the 103 point mark, soon after the referee called time on the game as Tigers run out 103-12 winners.

The win leaves Tigers 5th in the league, 5 points off second placed Newmarket, with a game in hand, and that game in hand comes on Saturday, 20th, when they play Wisbech at home, kick off 3pm.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

The post Tigers Hit Woodbridge with 100 Points appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

In a tight first half it was Ely that looked to cross the line first, but George Newnham was adjudged to have been held up, on the next attack Tigers crossed the try line, when a break from Newnham, who passed the ball out to Dibb who found Alfie Ramswell who crossed over in the corner. Jake Alsop was unable to add the conversion points, the home side drew level soon after the Tigers try, making the most of space out on the wing the cross the line in the corner, despite a last ditched tackle from Matt McCarthy, despite the windy conditions the conversion was added as the home side took the lead.

The penalty count against Ely was totting up and it was costing Tigers the chance to apply pressure in the right areas, and it was from a penalty that presented YM a chance to increase their lead, and the chance was taken, this time the conversion was missed, with the breeze holding the ball up, to give the home side a 12 – 5 lead at the break.

Ely came out for the second a different side, pushing forward and applying pressure on the home sides back line, and soon after the restart, Adam Tallack crosses the try line to draw the sides level, with the extra points missed the score reminded level, Tigers were still looking to take game to YM, and on the next drive Charlie Coupland  was held up, but like the first half the penalty count was once again totting up and once again the home side took advantage, as YM once again took the lead, with a try and conversion to lead 19-12, a chance fell to Mitch Kennett, who crossed over to score while Alsop added the conversion points to level the scores once more, but from the restart Tigers once again switched off as the home side crossed over once more, this time the conversion was missed as the score stayed at 24-19, as the clock was heading towards 80 minutes the side could have scored again, only this time the final pass was dropped as the try line was there to be crossed. Moments later the final whistle blew to end the game as Tigers went down a second successive defeat.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

The post Away Day Blues for Tigers appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

From the start it was visitors that started the brightest, applying pressure on the home side, and seemly having a man over on the wing on each attack, and it was that the could have seen Newmarket post the first points on the board, however the final pass was over thrown and out to touch, as the half went on, Ely could release the pressure as they were pinned back in their own half, finally Ely found some space as they put together an attack, which saw Paul Dewy heading for the corner, only to put out to touch just as he was about to dive over in the corner, from the resulting play Newmarket kicked the ball clear, which bounced kindly for Newmarket as again they went on the attack, from a scrum they feed the ball across the park, left to right, finding a gap in the Tigers back line to score the opening try of the afternoon, the conversion was missed, Tigers thought they’d drawn level as Ed Fahy crossed over, but the play was brought back due to forward pass, as half time approached the home side finally had some points on the board, as Jake Alsop slotted over the post with a penalty kick, as the half finish 5-3 to the visitors.

The second half started very much like the first, once again Newmarket were on the attack and they had an early chance to extend their lead when they were awarded a penalty, but the ball just fell short, a rare Ely attack was stopped after a forward pass, one of many mistakes during the afternoon, back came Newmarket applying pressure on the back line, and during one of the attacks the referee showed Tigers Ryan Edgeworth a yellow card, and sent the home side down to 14 men, and it was during this time that the back line couldn’t hold up any longer as the home side defence was breached, as Newmarket crossed the line, and with the conversion added they opened up a 12-3 lead, and the lead was increased soon after when they broke free to once more cross over to score, to make it 19-3 with the conversion added.

With Newmarket looking at the clock, looking for that bonus point try, Ely finally looked dangerous, as the backs started to push forward, and it was on one of these attacks that saw Matt McCarthy crossing to score, with Alsop adding the extra points, to make it 19-8.

Had Newmarket switched off, or did Ely think they could get something out of the game as the clock neared the 80 minute mark, Ely once more went on the attack, and a cross field kick bounced kindly for Paul Dewey, how this time made no mistake as he gathered the ball and crossed the line to score, Alsop was unable to add the extra points, as the score was 19-13, was there still a chance, Ely once more went on the attack, but again passing errors gave the ball back to Newmarket, with Ely inside the twenty two metre area, there was just one more chance for Tigers, but a again an error gave the ball back to the visitors, who kicked the ball into touch as the final whistle blew to give Newmarket the points.

The win lifts Newmarket into third, just above Ely, who have a game in hand, Ely travel to Ipswich YM on Saturday, a side just below Tigers in the league but who were unable to field a side at the weekend.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

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Tigers got off to a prefect start as James Buckland crossed the try line in the corner to give them a lead inside the opening five minutes, but the home side soon drew level and added the extra points to take a 7-5 lead, a lead that was soon to be extended on 19 minutes after the home took an advantage of a gap in the Tigers defence which lead to a easy chance of a try, with the conversion added, the lead increased to 14-5, Tigers need to close the gap, and on 23 minutes the gap was close, good work from Nathan Brooks and Lory Martin freed Nathanael Musvaire dived across the line in the corner, four minutes later and Ely took the lead with Mark Assenti went across the try line, with Jamie Alsop adding the conversion points, Assenti added his second try of the half on 35 minutes after a break from inside the home side half, again Alsop added the extra points to increase the score to 24-14, on the stroke of half time Assenti became provider, as he passed to Buckland who crossed over, again Alsop added the extra points as the half time whistle blew with Tigers leading 29-14.

The second half started brightly for the home side, but they could breach the Tigers back line, and it was no surprise when Tigers once more added to the score line, with Assenti adding his third try of the afternoon, leaving Alsop to add the extra points from under the posts, the score seemed to deflate the home side more, as quickly after Mitchel Kennett crossed over, again Alsop added the conversion, Tom Green added another try to pass the 50 point mark after finding a gap in the home defence to cross over the line unchallenged, with the added points from Alsop, Kennett was able to add his second try of the afternoon as the game neared the final whistle, crossing the line under the post to give Alsop the chance to add the extra points in front of the posts, on the stroke of full time there was still chance for one more score, but it was the home side that found the gap in the back line to cross the line, with the conversion points missed, the final whistle blew with the final score 57-19.

The win puts Ely in third place in the league, having played 4 games, compared to Holt (1st) and Thurston (2nd), both of which have played 5 games, the win sets up Saturday’s (30th) home derby fixture against Newmarket, kick off 3pm.

Steve Wells

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

The post Ely Tigers v Thetford Match Report appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

Ely got off to the perfect start, from a line out Ely won the ball, and moved the ball out to the left where Ed Fahy crossed over the try line, Jake Alsop, on kicking duties in the absence of Matt McCarthy and Joel Scott Paul, fell just short to convert the extra points, just minutes later the lead was doubled, again Ely winning line out ball, and surging towards the try line, with Rick Neale going down with ball  in hand over the try line, Alsop again failed to covert the extra points with the ball hitting the posts.

With 20 minutes on the clock Ely once more added points to the score board, with a quick break the ball eventually found Paul Dewey on the wing to cut in over the line under the post, with Alsop adding the extra points, directly from the restart, Ely were once more on the attack with a Charlie Coupland attack, who freed Alfie Ramswell, who in turn found Ryan Edgeworth who crossed the line under the posts, moments later it was George Newmen’s turn to be provider, as he broke from Fakenham’s defence to freed the ball to Coupland to cross over, again Alsop added the extra points.

With the half time break approaching there was still chance for Ely to add more points, Ely won the ball at the scrum close to the Fakenham line, Newman broke from the rear to cross the line under the points, with the extra points converted, there was still time for Fakenham to get points on the board before the break, a mistake in the back line handed the visitors a try which was converted.The start of the second half didn’t start as quickly as the first, as it took 12 minutes for Ely to add to the score line, from a line out on the right Ely won the ball and feed the ball out to the left where Dewey scored his second try off the afternoon.

Ely soon reached the 50 point mark, another line out was won saw Neale add his second try of the afternoon in the corner, again Alsop watched his kick come back off the posts, the visitors afternoon then got made harder, as they went a man down, Ely broke the try line again, this time second half replacement Nathan Brookes bundled the ball over the line, with Alsop unable to convert the extra points, as the game neared the end, there was still time to add to the tally, as Brookes added his second of the afternoon following on some good work from Ryan Clarke and Tom Green, as the game ended 60 – 7 to leave Tigers 4th in the league after three games.

Meanwhile the clubs Development side travelled to Cambridge to face Cantabs 3s, where they returned with a 68 – 0 win.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo Credit: Steve Wells

The post Ely Tigers Get Back to Winning Ways appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

The scheme, started in 2020 is designed to build links with grassroots clubs and help provide support with the affiliated clubs development. You can read more about the announcement here:

https://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/community/affiliate-clubs 

We cannot wait to start this exciting new chapter in the clubs history and look forward to seeing what opportunities this affiliation can bring. 

Our Saints representative will be coaching coordinator and U11’s Lead Coach Chris Holmes. He was the driving force behind our acceptance on to the scheme and we thank him for his ongoing efforts.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

The post Ely Tigers Join Northampton Saints Club Affiliation Scheme appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

Tigers welcomed new faces to the starting 15, but it was one of the old guard that took the scoring honours, with Joel Scott Paul scoring the opening points with a penalty, Scott Paul extended the lead soon after as he crossed the line to score the opening try, and completed the scoring with the added conversion, Scott Paul doubled his try scoring record soon after, going over the line under the posts, having been found by captain Matt McCarthy, again the conversion was added, the visitors pulled a try back, going over in the corner, however the visitors were unable to add the conversion

From a poor restart Ely recovered the ball, where Charlie Coupland picked up a loose ball, he in turn fed Scott Paul, who found debutant George Newman who crossed the line for a try, again Scott Paul had no trouble adding the extra points

The start of the second half saw the visitors pinned in the Ely half, with the home side unable to clear their lines, and moment after the restart the visitors breached the home sides try line as they crossed over the try line in the corner, again the conversion went amiss, Ely managed to add some further day light to score board as Scott Paul added another penalty, the visitors came back again, with another try to keep the pressure on the home side, but again the conversion was missed.

As the game drew to a close, Tigers managed to put some daylight on the score, a kick forward by Jake Alsop bounced kindly away from the Norwich player and into the arms of Coupland who freed Scott Paul to score once more, another try for the home side from Newman after a break, put the game beyond the visitors but there was still time for another home try to secure a bonus point win, as Alfie Ramswell broke free where he handed the ball inside to McCarthy who crossed over the try line to complete the afternoon’s scoring.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells

The post Ely Tigers Match Report: Ely Tigers 48 – 15 Norwich Union appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

James Stevens, CEO at Cambridge Commodities said: “Supporting a club such as this is really important to Cambridge Commodities. As a local business, we like to support the community where we can. The breakfast club had outgrown its last venue so we’re really pleased we can support with the new location. This means there is now extra space for new members to join.”

The purpose of the Ely Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club is to bring veterans and serving armed forces personnel together to meet face to face. The clubs aim to create a relaxed and safe environment for members to enjoy breakfast and banter among like-minded people.

Breakfasts are held on the first Saturday of every month. To be eligible to join the Ely Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club, potential members must be able to show proof they have or are serving in the armed forces.

People can request to join through the Ely Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club Facebook page.

The first breakfast club is due to be held at 9am on Saturday 7th August at the Ely Outdoor Sports Association. The breakfast club has put extra precautions in place to help protect its members from COVID-19.

Press release from Cambridge Commodities

The post Cambridge Commodities Sponsors Ely Armed Forces and Veterans Breakfast Club appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

The car park at Ely Outdoor Sports Association (EOSA) is desperately in need of resurfacing but will cost £45k to do so!

Our goal is to fundraise £10k using GoFundMe and other fundraising activities, and then secure government grants and Council support to complete the funding.

EOSA is a not-for-profit organisation run by volunteers, that provides sporting and social facilities for its member clubs Ely Tigers Rugby Club, Ely City Hockey Club and Ely Tennis Club as well as for the wider Ely community as a whole. A number of local adult and junior football clubs, a local school and a training provider use the facilities on a regular basis and the Clubhouse is regularly hired out for parties and events in non-COVID times.

The car park is used every day and is full most evenings and weekends when the sports clubs are training or playing matches.

Recent refurbishments to the Clubhouse and the replacement of the astro pitch have enabled EOSA to start to generate income through the hire of its facilities but even before COVID restricted the use of our facilities, it was going to take many years to raise the money needed for this large capital outlay.

It currently costs about £1,000 each year to just fill the potholes with tarmac. This year, to save money, our Directors temporarily filled the holes themselves.

This GoFundMe is the start of the fundraising campaign to raise the necessary monies for the car park.

We hope that by the generosity of members of the public and by applying for local grants, we can raise enough to resurface the car park in the next 12 months.

To donate please visit our GoFundMe page here

From Ely Outdoor Sports Association

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On Tuesday, sponsorship secretary Liz Sanderson, and club Chairman, Chris Day headed over to the Minor Injuries Unit in Ely on behalf of the club to present them with the donation raised from the #ThankyouNHS scheme we held during the summer.

In partnership with our kit manufacturer O’Neills we sold 3 limited edition t-shirt designs with the slogan #ThankYouNHS on them as well as Ely Tigers face masks to show our appreciation for the hard work the amazing staff of the NHS do. During the ongoing pandemic they have continued to work tirelessly while under added pressure and expectation to keep us and those we love safe. As a club we have experienced first hand how awful Covid-19 can be when senior player Stacy Mould had to be hospitalised while suffering from it.

In all we sold a massive 168 t-shirts and 36 face masks, raising a fantastic £1100 in the process! The popularity of the t-shirts surpassed even my greatest expectations and it was great to see them being bought by not only members of the Ely Tigers family but beyond, with shirts being sent out around the country and even as far as Spain.

The reason we chose the Minor Injuries Unit as the recipient of the donation is that it is a huge part of our local community, providing an essential service on our doorstep and it’s fair to say over the years many an Ely Tiger, including myself, has found themselves requiring their assistance, often on a cold and wet Saturday afternoon and we are truly grateful to them.

Erica Warner, Clinical and Operational Manager for the Minor Injury Units, said: “We are delighted that the players and staff from Ely Tigers have chosen to make their donation to the team at the Ely MIU via CPFT’s Head To Toe charity. The staff are proud to serve the community and provide the very best treatment and support to people across the area. It’s fantastic that their work has been recognised in this way. The team do so much to look after others, and we’ll make sure this generous donation is used to enhance the wellbeing of all our staff and the patients they serve.”

Meanwhile Community Fundraising Officer, Tom Petie said: “This is a fantastic donation from Ely Tigers which will really help us give some additional support to the staff that work in the Ely Minor Injuries Unit, and the patients who need their care. It’s really wonderful that the team have decided to show their gratitude to our staff for, in their words, ‘fixing them up’ over the years after matches. We’d like to thank everyone at the club for their support.”

Chairman Chris Day added “On top of what they said I would also like to add a huge thank you to Liz Sanderson and Adi Storey, who played a major part in getting this scheme off the ground. Liz in particular put in many hours of work going through emails, sorting payments and arranging deliveries. We are extremely lucky to have so many volunteers in the club who go above and beyond time and time again to help the club, it is always appreciated”

Keep an eye out on the social media pages over the coming weeks as we have some special plans for us as a club to help raise funds for and commemorate Remembrance Sunday.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

The post Ely Tigers Say Thank You to NHS appeared first on Spotted in Ely.

It has long been tradition that at their end of season party the awesome boys and girls in our Mini’s section (U6’s-U12’s) would be presented with a little trophy as a thank you from the club to them for their hard work and enthusiasm to learn over the course of the season.

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing pandemic we were forced to cancel this year’s event and our young Tigers had to adapt and ended up holding their end of season events online. This meant we were not able to all get together and present them with their trophies!

This is when our Mini’s Chairman Christian Griffin came up with an idea to do something a little different this year and still show our appreciation to the children, whilst also hopefully helping towards their physical and mental health over the summer and beyond. 

A proposal was made and wholeheartedly approved by the committee and we are very happy to announce that instead of trophies, this year we have decided to issue each our of Tiger cubs with their very own rugby ball….. all 195 of them! 

Christian had this to say about the new venture:

“As a club we recognise that the COVID-19 has been very challenging for people all over the globe and certainly been hard on our local rugby community. It has been fantastic seeing our community coming together with fun activities for our players and hilarious “pass the ball/toilet roll/loaf of bread” videos being shared over Facebook.

We are very happy to announce that an idea for the Minis Section that we have been formulating for some time is now ready, so we can tell you all about it!! We think this will help all of our players keep up their physical and mental health and also their love of rugby!

As our season was cut short and we missed out on the Awards Presentation Day, we wanted to do something extra for our players to mark the end of this season and start them thinking about the summer holidays and preparing for next season (whenever that might be!!)”

Club Chairman Chris Day added:

“One of the highlights of my season in recent years has been attending the Mini’s end of season party and presenting the kids with their trophies. It was a real shame we couldn’t all be together to celebrate this year but this new initiative is certainly a very good alternative! We are immensely proud of our young Tiger Cubs, their numbers continue to grow year on year and they always have a smile on their faces, despite the early start and changeable English weather!”

We would also like to say thank you to RAM Rugby, our equipment supplier, for their assistance in putting together the order and being so efficient in getting them to us.   

Tristan from RAM Rugby had this to say about it:

“It is a challenging time for all at the moment and it is heart-warming to hear what many rugby clubs, including Ely, are doing in their communities. We were delighted to support Ely Tigers initiative to donate rugby balls to their Mini’s to both help them practice at home and more importantly still feel part of the Ely Tigers family”

We will be issuing the balls this weekend and we look forward to seeing lots of smiling happy Tigers practicing and playing in the garden, the park, the beach, wherever and whenever they can.

#ElyTigers #TigerCubs #LoveRugby

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

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