Ely Tigers will be hoping their first result of 2017 was a mere blip after they were sent to a 36-17 defeat to table-topping Harlow on Saturday.

The Tigers sunk to their first defeat since late October at the hands of the Essex side, who showed why they are eight points clear at the top of the standings with an awesome attacking display.

Harlow ran in three unanswered converted tries and a penalty in a dominating first half performance, before Stacy Mould reduced the deficit with a well-taken try following a rolling maul.

Mitchell Kennett crashed over the line soon after to give the Tigers some hope, but Harlow replied with two more tries to extend their advantage.

Ely pushed forward in the latter stages but couldn’t find a way through until man-of-the-match Paul Dewey dived over in the corner.

The Tigers pushed forward on the search for a bonus-point try, but Harlow held their ground to send Ely to their fourth defeat of their London League 3 North-East campaign.

Ely will hope for a more positive result when they take on third-placed Southwold on Saturday (14).