RUGBY ROUND-UP Old Cantabridgians 1st XV 40 Ely Tigers A XV 6 ELY took the non-league fixture as an opportunity to try out fresh playing combinations and to re-introduce developing players ahead of next week s big game at home against Dereham. Fifteen m

RUGBY ROUND-UP

Old Cantabridgians 1st XV 40 Ely Tigers A XV 6

ELY took the non-league fixture as an opportunity to try out fresh playing combinations and to re-introduce developing players ahead of next week's big game at home against Dereham.

Fifteen minutes into the game, Gavin Ross made no mistake with a penalty kick but soon Cantabs levelled at 3-3.

Ely failed to deal effectively with the tackle situation, and Cantabs fly-half dummied, shrugged off a half tackle and ran in for an unconverted try before Gavin Ross kicked a penalty.

Cantabs came back strongly and as tacklers fell away, Cantabs added a converted try to go into half time 15-6 up.

The Tigers restarted with but once more struggled to get into the game and gifted the opposition an intercept try taking Cantabs into a 23-6 lead. Ely had chance to attack but the ball was turned over and Cantabs support saw them break away for 28-6.

Tigers soaked up pressure only to embarrass themselves defensively as Cantabs went 33-6 up. As Ely put on reserves, it was Cantabs who had the final word. From a five-metre scrum they produced an effective wheel and managed to pick up and drive through the despairing tacklers for a somewhat flattering scoreline of 40-6.

St Ives Under-15s 34

Ely Tiger-15s 3

THIS match started with Ely facing against the wind, consequently making kicking difficult.

This combined with a strong opposing side meant Ely soon found themselves on their try-line. But at 12-0 down Ely received a penalty. Chris Hobson, Ely fly-half stepped up to take the kick. Against strong winds he landed it neatly between the posts and getting Ely their much-needed three points.

However the second half was a courageous but poor effort by Ely as St Ives scored a number of tries.

Mini-Section Round-Up

ON a very cold February morning Ely Mini-section travelled to Saffron Walden to do battle against Saffron Walden and Chelmsford.

The Tiger-Eights started playing the home team, Saffron Walden, and were 5-0 down very quickly. Then sustained pressure by Ely led to George Bowman and Joseph Shirley scoring to make it 10-5 at half-time. Saffron Walden pulled back to 10-10 but then Mark Parry and a sublime try by James Walton made it 20-10 to Ely. Even although all 15 of the squad were used,

The Tiger-8s went 10-0 down before a good running try by Joseph Shirley gave Ely some hope in the second game against Chelmsford. Ely carried the ball a lot in this game but played too closely to make space.

Chelmsford carried the ball five times and scored four times. The exception being the time when Ely managed to collect all seven tags, led by Megan Humble with four tags. Nevertheless Ely lost 20-5.

The Tiger-10s had a five-try scorer in William Marshall, who scored one in the first match against Chelmsford, and he with Cairan Russell were Ely's only scorers in losing 20-10.

However in the second game William Marshall scored four tries in the Tigers' 40-10 win against Saffron Walden.

Cairan Russell got another two with Andrew Goddard and Alex Hammond getting one apiece. Joe Walker won player of the match for his continued improvement.