Dragons vs Ealing Trailfinders

Match Report

Ealing Trailfinders continued their winning ways in pre-season by rousing themselves late on to run in six tries against a Newport Gwent Dragons Development XV at Ystrad Mynach.

Mark Bright and Willie Ryan scored in the first half and Will Harries, Matt Cornish, Luke Carter and Will Davis all crossed after the break to ensure Ben Ward’s side go into their final pre-season match against Hartpury College at Vallis Way on Saturday with two wins from two.

The Dragons started the stronger and they were soon on the scoresheet when hooker Rhys Buckley scored from the back of a driving maul. Angus O’Brien added the conversion.

Ealing Trailfinders weathered the storm and Bright scored in a similar fashion to Buckley after a strong run from Joe Munro took play close to the line. Daniels knocked over the conversion to tie up the scores.

Play swung back up the other end of the field and after a number of pick and go drives, Ed Jackson barrelled his way over for a try that O’Brien had no problem converting.

Ryan’s try came after a strong break from centre Aled Jenkins took play up to the five metre line and with Daniels’ second conversion it meant the teams were all-square at half-time.

A penalty from Jonny Bentley gave Ealing Trailfinders the lead for the first time in the match not long after the break, but again the Dragons hit back.

Scrum-half Charlie Davies darted over after a powerful scrum from his pack and with O’Brien’s third conversion of the day the hosts were back in front.

From then on Ealing Trailfinders dominated. Harries scored from Ward’s grubber kick and it was a particularly satisfying score for the fullback, who used to play for the Dragons and who was making his long-awaited comeback from injury.

Cornish and Carter added further scores before Davis scored at the death to give the scoreline a late flourish.

Dragons
Geraint Rhys Jones, George Gasson, Barney Nightingale, Jack Dixon (captain), Aled Brew, Angus O’Brien, Charlie Davies; Keagan Bale, Rhys Buckley, Shaun Knight, Matthew Screech, Ashley Sweet, Harri Keddie, James Benjamin, Ed Jackson
Reserves
Darran Harris, Luke Garrett, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, James Thomas, Luc Jones, Arwel Robson, Lloyd Lewis, Sam Hobbs, Henry Williams, Lloyd Phillips, Josh Skinner, Scott Andrews

Ealing Trailfinders
Luke Daniels, Rhys Crane, Aled Jenkins, Joe Munro, Curtis Wilson, Jonny Bentley, Alex Walker; James Gibbons, Matt Cornish, Will Davis, Carwyn Jones, Llewelyn Jones, Willie Ryan, Iain Grieve, Mark Bright (captain)
Reserves
Nacho Lancuba, Harry Casson, Mike Macfalane, Arthur Ellis, Chris York, Luke Carter, Ben Ward, James Cordy Redden, Callum Wilson, Phil Chesters, Will Harries

Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU)