East Cambs Rugby

RUGBY

Ely 1st XV 11 Southwold 1st XV 10

ELY Tigers met league leaders Southwold at Downham Road on Saturday, determined to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

It was a war of attrition, with Ely preventing the visitors from making progress in the opening 20 minutes and frustrating them in the process.

Jamie Russell added the first points of the game with a penalty for the hosts, but this seemed to inspire Southwold and within a few minutes a well-worked move enabled their winger to dive over for a try which was converted.

Southwold added a further three points before the interval to establish a 10-3 lead.

From the re-start the Tigers' forwards worked hard to get their opponents on the back foot, and with this goal achieved the backs were able to run hard at the line.

After a sustained attack, the Tigers were rewarded when Kimi Hattingh squeezed into the corner for a try, but Russell missed the kick so Ely still trailed by two points.

As the minutes ticked by Southwold came under increasing pressure, and eventually conceded a penalty which Russell fired between the posts to secure the win.

"They guys showed great determination today," said Head Coach Paul Coulson afterwards. "This was always going to be a hard-fought game but we showed real character to come back and win."

Ely 2nd XV 0 Shelford 3rd XV 12

ELY second team were at home again on Saturday, but played Shelford 3 instead of Welwyn 3 because the Hertfordshire team could not raise a side.

The conditions were dry but windy, and Shelford used the elements to good effect in the first half, putting a dozen points on the board within the first 20 minutes.

They continued to test Ely's defence for the remainder of the half, but were unable to extend their advantage.

Tigers camped in Shelford's 22 during the second period, but despite creating several chances were unable to score themselves.