ELY Tigers slipped to their ninth defeat of the season at the weekend as they went down 15-8 to a robust Woodbridge side. Though an extraordinary start to the match promised much from a spirited Tigers side, some costly lapses at key junctures in the gam

ELY Tigers slipped to their ninth defeat of the season at the weekend as they went down 15-8 to a robust Woodbridge side.

Though an extraordinary start to the match promised much from a spirited Tigers side, some costly lapses at key junctures in the game allowed high-flyers Woodbridge to overcome the home side in what was a bruising encounter.

The loss keeps Mark Mitzman's side languishing in 10th position in the Eastern Counties Division 1 with only two points to their name.

Motivated, drilled and ready to get amongst their opponents, Ely started the game at an irresistible pace and it wasn't long before Woodbridge found themselves pinned in their own 22, desperately trying to hold Ely at bay.

For all their effort though, the visitors could only succumb to the Ely onslaught as following several drives for the line, the Ely pack managed to force Mitch Kennett over for the opening try.

Though Ed Fahy missed the resulting conversion, Ely quickly re-settled into the match and complemented their impressive attacking play with some meticulous defence that kept them in the ascendancy.

As the half wore on however, Woodbridge gradually began to wear the Tigers defence down and, after gaining useful yardage from successive penalties, a loose ball was gathered for the Woodbridge two to steal over the line for a try.

After the half-time break, Woodbridge settled quickly and took control of the play as Ely contented themselves in defence. Some intelligent play from the visitors soon unpicked the Ely line though, as Steward ran home a second try, this time converted.

A soft penalty just after the hour mark allowed Woodbridge to open up a daunting 15-5 gap but Ely remained unfazed and stepped up their attack in the last 15 minutes in a bid to salvage some points.

A penalty from Fahy with a little less than 10 minutes remaining galvanised Ely for a final push but despite a veritable assault on the visiting defence in the closing minutes, Ely failed to find a way through Woodbridge's imposing defence.