Ealing Trailfinders vs Jersey Reds

Match Report

Ealing Trailfinders consolidated their excellent start to the season with a 64-17 victory over Jersey Reds on Saturday afternoon, picking up their sixth bonus point win of the season and maintaining their position at the top of the Greene King IPA Championship.

First half tries from Bill Johnston, Simon Uzokwe, Shaun Malton and Rayn Smid ensured that Trailfinders had the bonus point wrapped up by the interval, with Ben Ward’s side taking a 24-5 lead into the half.

The floodgates opened in the second half, as Smid completed his hat-trick, whilst Jordan Burns (2), Craig Hampson and Max Bodilly all added their names to the scoresheet.

A strong set-piece start saw Trailfinders open the scoring with a try from on loan fly-half Bill Johnston, after the Irishman capitalised in support of a break by hooker Shaun Malton.

Another accurate throw from Malton minutes later resulted in Simon Uzokwe bundling over from the driving maul, with the hosts having committed 12 men to the maul and Jersey hadno answer so close to their own try line.

After having set up the first two tries, Malton got his name on the scoresheet later in the half as Ealing once again punished Jersey at the lineout and the hooker was on hand to dive over the line at the back of the maul.

Jersey were able to fire back before the interval, however, as a precision grubber through from Scott van Breda was collected and dotted down by Brendan Owen.

Trailfinders were able to finish on a high, though, as a midfield scrum and a powerful carry from Pat Howard set up the bonus point try for the hosts through captain Rayn Smid.

Harvey Biljon’s side were efficient on their return to the field after the half, with Matt Williams barrelling through some disappointing defence from Ealing and registering Jersey’s second of the day.

The response from Ealing was immediate, though, and Smid ended a flowing moving started by Craig Hampson by running over unopposed and re-establishing his side’s leading margin. Just a minute later and their roles reversed, with a Smid break feeding Hampson, who ran in a try from the 40m line.

Jersey were not done, however, and Owen went over for his second try not long after, when he found himself in space on a cross-kick following a Jersey lineout in Ealing’s 22.

Injuries to Bobby de Wee and Dean Hammond saw play disrupted for a while, but Jordan Burns was able to get Ealing back on the front foot with a quick score.

Guy Thompson then took on the role of creator, as he collected his own chip before linking with Simon Linsell and then releasing Jordan Burns for the speedster to cross the line under the posts.

Next up was a well-earned try for Max Bodilly, with the centre capitalising on a Jersey lineout that Ealing were able to disrupt and quickly spread the ball, catching Jersey’s defence in the transition.

Another opportunity in transition, following Thompson diving on a handling error from Jersey, saw Ealing turn the corner on the resetting Jersey defence and Burns sped away down the left wing, before popping the ball back inside to the supporting Smid, who completed his hat-trick.

Attentions at Vallis Way now turn toward Saracens, with the league leaders set to take on the former European Champions at the StoneX stadium in the next round of fixtures.

Ealing Trailfinders

15. David Johnston, 14. Angus Kernohan, 13. Max Bodilly, 12. Pat Howard, 11. Dean Hammond, 10. Bill Johnston, 9. Craig Hampson; 1. Kyle Whyte, 2. Shaun Malton, 3. Lewis Thiede, 4. Simon Linsell, 5. Harry Casson, 6. Bobby de Wee, 7. Simon Uzokwe, 8. Rayn Smid (C)

Replacements

16. Michael van Vuuren, 17. Will Davis, 18. Elliot Millar Mills, 19. James Cannon, 20. Guy Thompson, 21. Shane Buckley, 22. Jordan Burns, 23. Luke Daniels.

Tries – B Johnston (5), Uzokwe (11), Malton (28), Smid (40+3, 44, 73), Hampson (46), Burns (59, 62), Bodilly (65)

Conversions – B Johnston (5, 40+3, 44, 59, 62, 65, 73)

Jersey Reds

15. Brendan Owen, 14. Lesley Klim, 13. Scott van Breda, 12. Apakuki Ma’afu, 11. Darren

Atkins, 10. Brendan Cope, 9. Max Green; 1. Roy Godfrey, 2. Eoghan Clarke, 3. Dan

Richardson, 4. James Scott, 5. Sean O’Connor, 6. Macauley Cook, 7. Lewis Wynne (C), Matt Williams.

Replacements

16. Jack Macfarlane, 17. Ollie Dawe, 18. Jack Higgins, 19. Zak Farrance, 20. Tim Grey, 21.

James Elliot, 22. Josh Bainbridge, 23. Jack Roberts.

Tries – Owen (36, 53), Williams (42)

Conversions – Cope (42)

Red cards – Ma’afu (56)

Match Officials

Referee: Neil Chilvers

Assistant Referees: Simon Adams and Stephen Nicholas Lee