Defeat on the final day of the season meant Ely Tigers had to settle for a top five spot in London 1 Eastern Counties League. 

A win at Holt on March 18 would have cemented fourth place for the visitors, but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock on 11 minutes. 

The hosts, who added a second try, were reduced to 14 men for a high tackle but Jake Alsop was unable to capitalise on a penalty awarded. 

Ely did fight back when they scored a try moments before half-time and they cut the deficit to 19-8 when Alsop converted a penalty. 

And Tigers perhaps enjoyed their best spell of the game despite conceding two further tries against Holt, who were down to 14 once more as Mitch Kennett took advantage. 

The visitors pushed forward from a line-out to allow Grant Storey to grab a late consolation for Tigers as they were beaten 38-18 by the league runners-up and sealed fifth place. 

Ely face St Ives in the Percy Walker Cup on April 1.