Holt suffered their heaviest league defeat of the season at the hands of a well disciplined, robust and direct running Ely side.

With several key players unavailable due to work commitments and a make-shift front row it was always going to be difficult against the Cambridgeshire side, who are enjoying their best season for several years.

The early exchanges suggested that it might turn out to be a close encounter.

Five minutes into the game Ely No 8 Scott Macfarlane collected a loose ball and stormed over for a try converted by Joe Scott-Paul. But Holt responded almost immediately with a try by Alastair Hughes, converted by Tom Jackson.

Holt looked comfortable for a short spell but things started to look ominous when Ely broke from deep inside the visitors' half and would have scored but for a try saving tackle by winger Ollie Woodrow, who had covered across from the other side of the pitch.

Halfway through the first half Holt missed a penalty after which the floodgates opened, due to poor tackling and handling by the visitors. Jacob Muncie scored twice followed by Scott-Paul and Matt McCarthy, three of which were converted by Scott-Paul, giving Ely a comfortable half-time lead of 33-7.

Holt started the second half with more purpose and a clever break by Hughes created space for Ashley Woods to score. The score remained 33-12 until the final quarter when Ely again surged ahead. Two tries by Luke Turner and one from Luke Cornwell, all of which were converted by Scott-Paul, increased the score to 54-12. Holt winger George Loades completed the scoring with a try just before the final whistle.

Ely and Holt remain third and fourth respectively in their league. With the final league games next week Ely have secured third spot while Holt, who entertain league leaders Stowmarket, are at risk of dropping to fifth place below Thetford.

The Woodfordes man of the match for Holt was Harry Graham.