Ely Tigers signed off the 2023/24 season with an away game at Ipswich RFC which ended in defeat.

Until recent weeks, Tigers were pushing Ipswich to finish in third place, but a conceded game away to Ipswich YM pushed Tigers down the league, and with Shelford dropping points Ipswich were looking to take the runners-up spot, as both sides went into the final game on 80 points.

The game started with a early chance for Tigers as they were awarded a penalty, Jake Alsop steps up to slot the ball home.

From the restart, there was pressure from the home side, but a handling error 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 came back from the restart, with a converted try to narrow the lead.

Ipswich then started to get a foot in the game, and it wasn’t long until their second try came, with the conversion added they led 14-10.

With half-time approaching, Ely took the lead, with Declan Wolverson diving over to score, the conversion was missed, but it meant the Tigers led by a single point.

The home side piled on the pressure went into 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.

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, Ipswich turned the screw with another try, and a conversion, but it was Tigers who 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 sixth place on 65 points, with a record of 14 wins and eight losses.