Ely Tigers travelled to Thurston last Saturday afternoon looking to extend their unbeaten run to three, again the selection saw changes to the starting 15, the forecast all week had mentioned the incoming storm and for a change the forecast was spot on as the game was played in rain and gusting winds
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
Photo Credit: Steve Wells
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