ELY Tigers twice squandered the lead in a frenzied second half at West Norfolk on Saturday.

Rugby

West Norfolk 28

Ely 17

Despite going in at the break 14-0 ahead, the Tigers were unable to carry their good form into the second half and were powerless to stop the home side running in four second half tries.

The loss was Ely’s third in four league matches so far this season and they will be hoping to turn things around when they take on Broadland at EOSA on October 22.

The home side started positively as they sought to press Ely but Karl Hayler’s charges were quick to capitalise on some sloppy errors to force their way into the Norfolk half.

Some good attacking phases piled pressure on the home defence and opened up space enough for Ely to run over the opening try, ably converted to move them into a 7-0 lead.

West Norfolk came back strongly at the restart but Ely remained composed and were able to match the home side for grim determination.

Ely’s polished play in defence eventually forced yet more mistakes from the home side and a second try soon followed after a catch and drive from a lineout allowed Ely to crash over near the posts.

The try was again converted to move Ely 14-0 ahead going in at half-time.

Refreshed after the break, Norfolk began committing numbers to the attack and they soon had a foothold in the game as they ran over two early tries.

A reeling Ely side did manage to get their noses back in front however, as a penalty kick was kicked cleanly between the posts but their joy wasn’t to last as the home side kicked on.

Two further tries took the life out of the Tigers and the home side held on for their first win of the season.