Ely Tigers’ unbeaten start to 2023 was cut short after a visit from the unbeaten league leaders. 

Tigers’ contest with Saffron Walden in the London 1 Eastern Counties League on January 28 started evenly, but it was the visitors to Cambridge Commodities Park who troubled first in their 24-5 win. 

Ely were pushed back following a lineout as the ball broke out wide for Walden to score unchallenged. 

That was the clearest chance of the first half in a stop-start contest where Ely were reduced to 14 men after Grant Storey was shown a yellow card. 

During those 10 minutes, the home defence stood firm but Walden extended their lead 10 minutes into the second half. 

It was the leaders’ turn to go down to 14 men as they carved the clearest chance since the restart as they broke through an Ely scrum. 

And with the try line in sight, Tigers were saved from going further behind thanks to a last-gasp tackle. 

Matt McCarthy did ensure Ely registered on the scoreboard after good work from teammate Adam Tallack, although the conversion flew wide of the posts. 

The next try proved pivotal in deciding the result, and it was Walden who did so having opted to kick for points from a penalty just inside the Ely half. 

Those three points put the game out of Ely’s reach and the visitors, who have won all 15 league games this season, added to their advantage as Tigers were unable to clear. 

Walden moved the ball out wide to cross and add the conversion to continue their march towards the league title. 

As for Ely, who won their previous two games since the turn of the year, they sit fifth in the league table ahead of a home clash with Southwold on February 4.