Rugby Ely Tigers 25 Harwich and Dovercourt 0

Ely Standard: Ely Tigers Rugby actionEly Tigers Rugby action (Image: Archant)

Ely moved to within two points of league leaders West Norfolk with a bonus-point victory over Harwich on Saturday.

Ely began the match with the blustering wind on their side and used it to utmost effect, pinning Harwich in their own half with their long kicking game.

Under relentless pressure, Harwich knocked-on and Ely gained the put-in in a scrum on the half-way line. Tigers went down the blindside and fast hands pushed the ball out wide to Charlie Coupland, who touched down for an unconverted try.

Ely continued to pin Harwich back with long kicks to touch. The visitors were penalised in their twenty-two and Joel Scott Paul kicked three points.

Shortly after, a well-worked back move put Coupland straight through the opposition defence but he was taken down before the line. On his way to ground, he managed to offload and Scott Paul went over for a converted try.

Building on their dominant start, Ely won an opposition line-out and forced Harwich back with a rolling maul. A darting run from Lee Coulson allowed him to crash through the opposition defence and place down under the posts.

Just before the end of the half, Ely lost the ball inside the opposition’s five metre line but a failed clearance kick was scooped up by Coupland who dashed over for an unconverted try in the corner.

The second-half remained scoreless; though not for want of opportunities for both sides. Harwich were ultimately unable to break through the solid Ely defence and the Tigers were unable to convert any points due to errors. Man of the match went to newcomer Brendan Deruiter.