Cantabrigians I 16, Ely 1st XV 12 Ely Tigers are still looking for their first league win of the campaign after narrowly losing at Cantabs on Saturday. Ely dominated the early exchanges, but a penalty and a try gave the home side a lead of 8-0. Flanker Da

Cantabrigians I 16, Ely 1st XV 12

Ely Tigers are still looking for their first league win of the campaign after narrowly losing at Cantabs on Saturday.

Ely dominated the early exchanges, but a penalty and a try gave the home side a lead of 8-0.

Flanker Dan Gardner powered through for an Ely try however, and Jamie Russell converted to reduce the deficit to a single point.

Tigers conceded another try from the re-start, but fought back after a midway scrum, Dan Coulson's deft chip leading to an exchange between Lee Coulson and Tim Mills which resulted in a touchdown from the latter.

The conversion was missed unfortunately, and that left Ely one point adrift. Cantabs exploited the situation with a late penalty which made the final score 16-12.

Saffron Walden 2nds 17

Ely 2nd XV 29

With both teams in the top three of the Merit League, a close game was expected.

Mitch Jones ran under the posts to open the scoring, and Lee Berzie converted to make it 7-0 to the visitors.

Joel Paul-Scott converted a penalty soon afterwards as Ely asserted their authority, and he then converted to make it 17-0 after Jules Thorne had finished off some fine rucking and mauling by the Tigers' eight.

Walden looked a different proposition after the break, and got back into the game with two unconverted tries.

Further pressure saw Walden get back on level terms, but the momentum shifted back in Ely's favour when fly-half Vic Cato charged down a clearance and Kimi Hattingh waltzed through the home defence to score.

Scott-Paul's conversion made it 24-17, and Lloyd Palmer gratefully received a pass from Cato to extend Ely's advantage.

Cato gave a special mention to Andrew Manning in his last game for the club before going home to Manchester.

"He's been terrific and has played his heart out week in, week out, in whatever position he's been asked to. All the lads wish him the very best."

Ely 3rd XV were also successful at the weekend, beating Haverhill 2nds.