Rugby Ely Tigers 34 Swaffham 5

Ely’s winning run stretched into its fourth successive game on Saturday as they crushed mid-table Swaffham at Downham Road.

Earlier in the season, John Dibb’s side went down 21-17 in a close fought encounter at Swaffham but there was no such trouble for the Tigers this time as they ran in six tries.

The win keeps Ely in third place in Eastern Counties Division One, thought they remain nine points behind leaders Newmarket with three games left to play.

Eager to banish memories of November’s defeat in Norfolk, Ely blasted out of the blocks and spent the first 10 minutes camped in the Swaffham twenty-two.

After a period of intense pressure, Charlie Coupland finally darted over the line for a well-worked try. A few minutes later, captain and man of the match, John Dibb, made a wonderful sniping run and touched down for Ely’s second try of the match.

Ely were rampant and, before the end of the half, Adam Chapman picked up a loose ball from a Coupland break and dived over in the corner for an unconverted try.

The Tigers continued to apply pressure after the break and a well-placed punt to the corner from Ed Fahy allowed Ely to squeeze up as Swaffham were awarded a throw. Ely’s forwards won the line-out against the head and a strong forward maul forced Ricky Neale over the line.

With a mountain to climb, Swaffham were finally able to maintain possession, forcing Ely to concede a penalty for offside. A quick tap penalty eventually led to an unconverted try for the visitors.

In the final 15 minutes of the game, Swaffham’s heads dropped and Ely took full advantage. Quick ball came to Coupland on the wing and stepped his opposite number and crashed over the full back to touch down for an unconverted try. Swaffham kicked back and Ely immediately gained territory. Chapman shook off multiple tackles with a storming run and touched down for a converted try to round off the win.