Tigers take the Win

Ely Tigers welcome Shelford 2’s to the Cambridge Commodities Park, Tigers are still unable to field their first choice 15, as players are still out carrying injuries,

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.

Press release from Ely Tigers Rugby Club

Photo credit: Steve Wells