Ely Tigers kept up the chase on league-toppers Wymondham after serving up a festive feast of tries against struggling Thurston.

The Tigers finished off their final home fixture of the year in style, shutting out their opponents and easing their way to a comprehensive 53-0 victory on a mud-soaked pitch.

Ely had conceded just 11 points in their previous three fixtures prior to the visit of Thurston, but went close to going behind early on after the visitors were allowed to pick the ball up from the kick off and drive through the Tigers’ defence.

Ely shook off their cobwebs though and were first on the scoreboard through Paul Dewey, after quick hands forced the ball wide and he touched down for an unconverted try in the corner.

Ricky Neale added a second try soon after when he embarked on a stomping run down the blindside, crashing through the last defender for an unconverted try.

The Tigers were in their own territory against the wind and Joel Scott Paul chipped through, with the Thurston defender knocking the ball on.

The ball eventually found its way to Scott Paul who was in support, who darted under the posts for a converted try.

Before the half ended, Ely asserted their dominance and Matt McCarthy scored after the ball was passed down the line and he bounced off the last tackler and touched down.

In the second half, Harry Rogerson had a go for the line, before driving through the heart of the Thurston defence and touching down for yet another Tigers try.

Ely continued to dish out the punishment to Thurston and notched again after a scrum on the half-way line led to Scott Paul chipping through.

McCarthy was on hand to fly-hack the ball towards the line and the ball bounced just before the line and Jackson was able to collect the ball and dive over in the corner.

Sam Benzie bagged a try soon after when he threw an inventive dummy which bamboozled the Thurston defence, giving him space to saunter home for a try.

Dewey and McCarthy were not finished with their try scoring and both got their braces which brought the final score to a resounding 53-0.

Ely’s mauling of their Suffolk counterparts means they move to 36 points in the Eastern Counties Greene King Division One, only one point behind league leaders Wymondham.

The Tigers will be looking to carry their excellent current form – four consecutive wins - into their final fixture of 2015 against Thetford on Saturday.