Ealing Trailfinders vs Coventry

Match Report

Ealing Trailfinders secured a home Quarter Final in the Championship Cup after a dominant 56-19 victory over Coventry.

Ben Ward’s side scored eight tries in total as their physical dominance gave them the platform to run away with another impressive win at Trailfinders Sports Club.

The tries came from Jordy Reid, Andrew Durutalo, Craig Hampson, Tommy Bell, Rayn Smid, James Cordy Redden, Jordan Burns and Kieran Murphy as they booked a place in the last eight of the Cup.

Jordy Reid gave the hosts the perfect start with a try after just three minutes to put them in front. A rolling maul powered towards the line and the Australian broke away, giving himself a clear run to the line. Steven Shingler’s conversion put them 7-0 in front.

The visitors then sparked in to life straight away and responded just 60 seconds later to get level. A knock on bounced up in to the hands of Max Trimble, and he pounced on it to race away in to the corner.

Andrew Durutalo, who was outstanding throughout then gave the Trailfinders the lead with 12 minutes on the clock. A penalty was kicked to the corner and then after going through the phases, the back-rower was able to power over from just two metres out. Shingler then kicked a penalty before the 20 minute mark to extend the lead to eight points.

Coventry got back in to the game as Andy Bulumakau intercepted a pass and ran the length of the field to score, but the hosts then took their performance up a level to secure the bonus point before the break.

Craig Hampson spotted a gap in the defence from the base of a ruck and dummied his way to the line, before Tommy Bell pounced on Steven Shingler’s grubber kick to give the West Londoners a commanding lead.

Ben Nutley was sent to the sin-bin for killing the ball for the visitors, and Shingler then added another three points from the resulting penalty to put the host 32-12 up at the break.

The second half started in electric fashion and Rayn Smid scored a captain’s try with just 90 seconds played. Lewis Jones carried all the way to the line, and then the ball was spun wide to Smid who strolled in to the corner unattended.

Coventry then scored an opportunistic try as Jack Ram took advantage of an overthrown lineout to dot down, but the Trailfinders then went on the rampage with three tries in the final 10 minutes.

Shingler and Willis combined in the midfield and fizzed a pass to James Cordy Redden who had a clear run to the line on his return to the starting line-up to the delight of the home supporters.

Jordan Burns then ran clear from the half way line in trademark style as he timed his supporting run perfectly to hit the ball at searing pace, and Shingler’s conversion brought up the half century of points.

Kieran Murphy rounded off the scoring as he capitalised on an overlap created by Elliot Millar Mills’ break, giving the Green and Whites a commanding win to book their place in the last eight once again.

Ealing Trailfinders:

15 Tommy Bell 14 James Cordy Redden 13 Lewis Jones (replaced by Craig Willis, 65 mins) 12 Pat Howard 11 Reon Joseph 10 Steven Shingler (replaced by Craig Willis, mins) 9 Craig Hampson (replaced by Jordan Burns, 60 mins) 1 Jordan Els (replaced by Will Davis, 50 mins) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Matt Cornish, 50 mins) 3 Craig Trenier (replaced by Elliot Millar Mills, 50 mins) 4 Dave McKern 5 Harry Casson (replaced by Ben West, 65 mins) 6 Jordy Reid (replaced by Kieran Murphy, 60 mins) 7 Andrew Durutalo 8 Rayn Smid © (replaced by Shane Buckley, 65 mins)

Replacements:

16 Matt Cornish 17 Will Davis 18 Elliot Millar Mills 19 Ben West 20 Shane Buckley 21 Jordan Burns 22 Craig Willis 23 Kieran Murphy

Scorers:

Tries: Jordy Reid (3 minutes) Andrew Durutalo (11 minutes) Craig Hampson (24 minutes) Tommy Bell (35 minutes) Rayn Smid (42 minutes) James Cordy Redden (71 minutes) Jordan Burns (73 minutes) Kieran Murphy (76 minutes)

Conversions: Steven Shingler (3, 24, 35, 42, 73 minutes)

Penalties: Steven Shingler (17, 40 minutes)

Coventry:

15 Henry Purdy 14 Andy Bulumakau 13 Heath Stevens 12 Rory Jennings 11 Max Trimble 10 Tony Fenner 9 Pete White 1 Luc Jeannot 2 Joe Buckle 3 Gareth Denman 4 Adam Peters 5 Nile Dacres 6 Ben Nutley 7 Jack Ram 8 Ryan Burrows (c)

Replacements:

16 Sam McNulty 17 David Langley 18 Phil Boulton 19 James Voss 20 Senitiki Nayalo 21 Tom Kessell 22 Will Maisey 23 David Halaifonua

Scorers:

Tries: Max Trimble (5 minutes) Andy Bulumakau (22 minutes) Jack Ram (66 minutes)

Conversions: Rory Jennings (5, 66 minutes)

Yellow Card: Ben Nutley

Match Officials:

Referee: Alexander Thomas

Assistant Referees: Jonathan Petzing & Roy Maybank

Fourth Official: Ieuan Davies

Attendance: 788

Half Time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 32-12 Coventry

Soane’s Kitchen Man of the Match: Dave McKern