Tigers get back to winning ways at lowly Broadlands

Rugby Broadlands 14 Ely Tigers 34

John Dibb’s Ely side got back to winning ways with a comfortable win over struggling Norfolk side Broadlands on Saturday.

Much of the damage was done in the opening five minutes as, after winning the kick off and charging into the opposition twenty-two, Lee Coulson touched down under the posts after an offload out of the tackle. Joel Scott Paul converted.

Ely continued to apply the pressure and Scott Paul added another three points after Broadlands were penalised for foul play in the ruck.

Despite being caught cold early on, Broadland regrouped and added a score of their own after Ely were reduced to 14 following a sin binning for offside.

Restored to their full quota, however, Ely fought back and were awarded another penalty in the opposition twenty-two which Scott Paul converted, ensuring the Tigers carried the lead into the break.

More ill-discipline from Ely early in the second half saw a second sin-binning and Broadlands again used the extra man to their advantage to score a converted try in the corner.

For the first time in the match, the Tigers were behind, but, thankfully, not for long as they were able to call on fresh reserves on energy to force their way forward. A clever run from Scott Paul undid the host’s defence and allowed him to touch down under the posts and convert soon after.

When Broadlands lost a man to the sin bin, Ely began to turn the screw and a loose ball fell in the hands of Duncan Fraser who sprinted down the wing to touch down for a converted try.

In the last play of the match, Broadlands gained a penalty and had time for the lineout. Ely won the ball and were keen to run it back down. A blindside run from man of the match Lee Coulson gave Ely the bonus point as he touched down in the corner, and Scott Paul converted.