Six-try Ely Tigers defied the wet weather to impressively defeat Wisbech Rugby Club 38-7 in the visitor's first game since the tragic passing of one of its players.
Tigers welcomed Wisbech with a guard of honour to pay their respects, and the two sides came together for a minute's silence to honour the passing of Arturas Rudys, who lost his life in a match against Diss.
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A hat-trick from man-of-the-match Luke Turner helped guide the Tigers to victory, and he ensured his side went into an early 5-0 lead when he scored a try in the corner.
Wisbech began to grow into the game more after the try, but it was Ely who added to the scoreboard when the ball was passed through the hands, allowing Jeremny Darely to race across the line.
Jake Alsop added the conversion, and shortly after, Turner scored his second try of the afternoon, and again as the conversion was added, to open a 19-0 lead.
The Tigers then lost a player to the sin bin, and the rising number of penalties against the home side eventually took its toll as the visitors scored under the posts to make it 19-7 at the break.
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At the start of the second half, a clearing Alsop kick was charged down, which fortuitously fell into the hands of Jordan Barnes, who sprinted forward and freed Turner to race home for his hat-trick and the bonus point try.
The game was then halted after a clap of thunder nearby, with the referee calling the players off until the storm passed.
Ely picked up from where they left off after the restart, with a second Darley score and Matt McCarthy try making it 38-7 at the final whistle.
The Tigers now sit 6th in the Counties 1 Eastern Counties ahead of an away fixture to north Walsham II this Saturday (November 11).
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