Ely Tigers finished January with a rearranged home fixture against league leaders Bury IIs.
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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