Junior Rugby: Ely Tigers under 13s take bragging rights against local rivals Newmarket

Ely Tigers under 13s made the short trip to Newmarket for their first County Cup game of the season, coming away with a 24-10 victory.

The game was played in misty conditions, but the play from both sides lightened up an otherwise murky day.

Ely chose the starting line up, won the toss and took to the field. kicking towards Newmarket.

Newmarket were quick to run the ball back, cutting holes in the Tigers’ line with some jinking runs.

Newmarket come out firing, with some great back line play giving the Ely wingers a lesson in tracking and tackling.

The home side had the better half and made good use of their scrums and turning the ball over well, causing them to score two unconverted tries before half time to send them into the interval ahead.

Ely began the second half brightly, and looked to progress through some phases.

This bright start eventually saw Fletcher run the length of the pitch to and score a brilliant unconverted try under the posts.

Ely’s scrum was starting to work well after a change in the front and second rows, driving Newmarket back and giving scrum half Billy Pinto a good base to supply the back line with.

The Tigers forwards’ phase work then allowed man of the match Ollie Lupton-Pike to score his the first of his two tries.

The last 15 minutes was all Ely, and the Tigers added another try to increase their lead.

Jake Clifton then managed to score a great try against his old team; a maul from Todd Taylor and Harvey Williams was initially held up, the ball bounced off a Newmarket player and Clifton dived on it to score.

After the full time whistle, Ely Tigers manager Steve Brown praised his players, saying: “As expected it was a close game to begin with, but our never say die attitude and fitness shone through.”