Tigers get back to winning ways

Ely Tigers rugby v Thurston, (Image: Archant)

Ely ended a difficult month on a winning note as they overcame struggling Thurston at the Downham Road ground.

The Tigers came into the game on the back of two consecutive defeats, which all but put paid to their hopes of winning the league, but emerged with some positives to take forward as they battle to secure second place.

The win kept them four points clear of Newmarket in the Eastern Counties Division One, with seven games still to play this season.

Ely Tigers rugby v Thurston, (Image: Archant)

Amid freezing conditions, the pattern of play in the opening 15 minutes proved to be indicative of most of the game, with both sides making ground but proving unable to finish a move.

The cold, wind and rain made knock-ons a regular occurrence.

The visitors were first to get onto the scoreboard with a converted penalty after 25 minutes played.

Ely fought hard to make their way back in to the game and forced some space in the opposition twenty-two.

Thurston were penalised for offside and Ely took the free-kick quickly, Mitchell Kennet darting through the slumbering defence to crash over an unconverted try.

Though Ely took the lead and the momentum into the half-time break, finding their rhythm again in the second period proved just as difficult as it had in the first with the sleet falling.

But, some persistent work from Ely saw them muster the only score of the half for either side.

Man of the match, David Bainsfair caught the ball on a small blindside and did well to force his way through and touch down in the corner for another unconverted try.

The Tigers will be back in action again on Saturday as they travel to Norfolk to take on fifth-placed Wymondham. Kick off is scheduled for 2.30pm.