Last Gasp defeat at Shelford

🏆 Counties 1 Eastern Counties

📆 1^st March 2025

🆚 Shelford IIs

🕣 3pm KO

📍 The Davey Field, Shelford

Ely Tigers traveled to their away game at Shelford IIs with the aim of continuing their run of good form. Both teams had been concerned about relegation in recent weeks, but both should be safe as the season comes to a close. Ely Tigers welcomed back Lee Thompson to the match day squad following his recovery from injury.

On a day that felt like spring—the first day of Meteorological Spring—the sun shone brightly on the pitch and on the spectators. The opening ten minutes saw neither side able to control the game. With 13 minutes on the clock, the Tigers had an early opportunity to score with a penalty award, but Rhys Williams Goldman's kick was pushed wide of the uprights.

At the 18-minute mark, the home side took the lead from a line-out, crossing the try line for the opening score, although they failed to convert. Ely soon responded with a try by Matt McCarthy, and with the conversion added, Ely led 7-5. However, the home side quickly regained the lead after a mistake from the restart, exploiting gaps in the Ely backline to score under the posts, making it 12-7. Approaching half-time,

Jake Alsop scored a try after some commendable work from McCarthy, diving over the line under the posts. With the conversion added, the Tigers led 14-12 at the break.

In the second half, Adam Tallack opened the scoring for the Tigers with the first Ely attack of the half, although the conversion was missed, bringing the score to 19-12. The Tigers were then pinned back on their own line and received a yellow card. From the resulting attack, Shelford breached the line, but the conversion was missed, making it 19-17. As the game approached its final moments, a penalty for Ely gave them the chance to close out the game, but McCarthy’s kick fell short of the upright, and Shelford cleared their lines. There was still time for the home side to add another try to the score, although they were unable to add the conversion, leaving the Tigers to lead by 2 points.

Shelford increased pressure on Ely, causing the penalty count to rise. Eventually, Declan Wolverson was shown a card, reducing Ely to 14 men. Despite Shelford's persistent efforts, they could not find a way through until the final moments. playing with an advantage, the referee awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Shelford successfully completed the kick as the final whistle blew, securing the points right at the end of play.