A strong second half effort from Ealing Trailfinders sealed a hard fought win over Nottingham.

Tries from Patrick Campbell, Rory Scannell, Will Montgomery, Lefty Zigiriadis, Geordie Irvine and a double from Tom Collins saw Trailfinders through to a record-breaking 22nd win in a single Champ Rugby season, breaking Newcastle Falcons’ (now Newcastle Red Bulls) record of 21 wins in the 2013/14 season. This win also secures Trailfinders a home semi-final in Elior Champ Rugby with four rounds left to play.

A scoreless first ten minutes saw possession change hands multiple times, with both sides threatening to break free in windy conditions at Trailfinders Sports Club. 

In the thirteenth minute, the game came to life as slick hands in the backfield from Tom Collins and Francis Moore unleashed Patrick Campbell, who pinned his ears back to score for Trailfinders in the right corner. George Worboys was unable to convert from the touchline.

Nottingham struck back with a try four minutes later through Charlie Myall, and from out in front Shane O’Leary made the conversion.

On the stroke of thirty minutes, Nottingham added a second try courtesy of Jay Ecclesfield, again converted by O’Leary.

Despite decent possession in the Nottingham half, Trailfinders were unable to add another try before the whistle blew for half-time.

Half-time Ealing Trailfinders 5-14 Nottingham

Trailfinders came storming out of the blocks in the second half, kicking to the corner early. After a few phases in the Nottingham 22 the ball was passed wide to Tom Collins. He grounded the ball with a fantastic over the head finish. Worboys nailed the ensuing conversion from the touchline.

Following a yellow card to Nottingham loosehead Oscar Stott, Trailfinders kicked to the corner again, and Rory Scannell punched a hole to go over for a try, giving the home side the lead. Worboys added the extras again.

Nottingham hit back just minutes later, with George Timmins scoring a try, converted by O’Leary to give them the lead.

Trailfinders began building phases in the Nottingham half soon after, and Will Montgomery broke through a soft shoulder to score our bonus point try. In less spectacular fashion than his previous kick, Worboys slotted the conversion.

With Trailfinders really beginning to hit their stride, Lefty Zigiriadis powered over from the back of a ruck, and Worboys again added the extras.

Tom Collins grabbed his second try in the final 15 minutes, stepping the Nottingham fullback to score, teeing Worboys up for yet another pinpoint conversion.

Having just entered the fray minutes earlier, Trailfinders replacement Geordie Irvine powered through multiple defenders to score under the posts, demonstrating a remarkable leg drive. With his first kick of the game Rory Scannell converted from out in front of the posts, extending our lead to 47-21 with a minute left to play, and the scores remained the same until the referee blew his whistle for the final time.

Full-time Ealing Trailfinders 47-21 Nottingham

Ealing Trailfinders: 

Tries – Patrick Campbell 13, Tom Collins 41 66, Rory Scannell 46, Will Montgomery 54, Lefty Zigiriadis 57, Geordie Irvine 78

Conversions – George Worboys 41 47 55 58 67, Rory Scannell 79

Nottingham: 

Tries – Charlie Myall 17, Jay Ecclesfield 30, George Timmins 49

Conversions – Shane O’Leary 18 31 50

Yellow Cards – Oscar Stott 45