ST NEOTS narrowly lost to Ely Tigers at the Common in their last league game of the season. Saints forced the hosts back into their half as they applied the pressure early on and scrum half Nigel Samm soon spun the ball to fly half Nick Muston to put the

ST NEOTS narrowly lost to Ely Tigers at the Common in their last league game of the season.

Saints forced the hosts back into their half as they applied the pressure early on and scrum half Nigel Samm soon spun the ball to fly half Nick Muston to put the hosts ahead. Tigers responded by powering towards Saints' defence who soaked up the pressure as flanker Paul Warmington released open side flanker Richard Warmington who powered through for their second try, which was converted by Nigel Samm for a convincing lead.

The hosts increasingly asserted their authority, winning lineouts and scrums but a lapse in concentration allowed the visitors to get a break away try and score the conversion to get within touching distance at the interval. Saints retained their high tempo in the second half but could not break through, and Dave King was sent to the sin bin.

Tigers capitalised on their man advantage, ploughing through for another converted try to edge into the lead. The hosts launched repeated attacks but to no avail as Ely stood firm, and they were forced to rue five missed penalties as the game ended in Tigers' favour.