Cornish Pirates vs Ealing Trailfinders

Match Report

Ealing Trailfinders won their first points of the season when they ran in four tries away to Cornish Pirates, but they had to endure a fight-back form the home team in the second half that stopped them securing their first win of the Greene King IPA Championship season.

Willie Ryan, Curtis Wilson twice and Harry Casson scored the tries, while Ben Ward landed 11 points with his boot. They fully controlled the first half, but after the hosts made a number of changes in the second half they fought their way back into proceedings.

Ealing Trailfinders enjoyed the best of the opening minutes after forcing a slice clearance from Toby May, but despite opting for a line-out from three penalties they were unable to break the Pirates defence and eventually the Cornishmen cleared the danger.

The forward pack maintained their pressure and continued to win penalties, and while centre Lewis Jones led a strong counter-attack the team were unable to find a way through the Pirates defence.

Eventually Ealing Trailfinders made the breakthrough when Ryan peeled off a scrum to score in the corner for a try that Ward converted. Pirates almost hit back immediately as wing Kyle Moyle claimed the restart and offloaded to Brett Beukeboom, but Mark Bright pulled off a try-saving tackle.

The Pirates began to find their rhythm and Lewis Jones put in a try-saving interception and Lewis Thiede held up a ball in-goal as they built some momentum. Eventually their pressure paid off as Matt Evans was put free to race in from the left wing.

They didn’t hold the lead for long though as the pack again applied the pressure and after the team swung the ball from left to right Wilson found space to race over in the corner.

Just before half-time Harry Casson scored his second in two matches by dotting down from close range after the pack again put the squeeze on in the Pirates 22.

Ward scored the first points of the second half with a penalty, but the Pirates found new energy after they made a number of changes and Tom Duncan drove over for their second try of the match.

The hosts maintained their momentum and Will Cargill converted a penalty to bring them within a converted try. They then drew level when wing Kyle Moyle came in off his wing to go over between the posts, for a try that Cargill’s converted.

It set up a tense last few minutes, but Lewis Jones pounced on a loose ball he picked out Curtis Wilson who raced away for his second. Ward then knocked over the conversion to return the lead to seven points.

However, the Pirates attacked with renewed vigour and scrum-half Townsend snuck over for a late try that Cargill converted to ensure a share of the spoils.

Ealing Trailfinders now return to Vallis Way for their next league match, against Jersey Reds on Saturday 17 September, kick-off 2pm.

Scorers
Cornish Pirates
Tries (Evans 28, Duncan 56, Moyle 72, Townsend 79), Conversions (Cargill 28, 56, 72, 79), Penalties (Cargill 60)
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Ryan 18, Wilson 30, 78, Casson 38), Conversions (Ward 18, 31, 38), Penalties (Ward 45)

Cornish Pirates
Toby May, Kyle Moyle, Alex Dancer, Nicolas De Battista, Matt Evans, Will Cargill, Alex Day; Marlen Walker, Jack Innard, Tyler Gendall, Chris Morgan (captain), Brett Beukeboom, Dan Lee, Alex Cheesman, Tom Duncan
Reserves
Tom Channon, Jack Andrew, Paul Andrew, Jake Parker, Sam Simmonds, Stuart Townsend, Laurence May

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Curtis Wilson, Lewis Jones, Joe Munro, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Luke Carter; Ignacio Lancuba, Rhys Lawrence, Lewis Thiede, Carwyn Jones, Harry Casson, Willie Ryan, Iain Grieve, Mark Bright (captain)
Reserves
Arthur Ellis, Will Davis, Alex Penny, Llewelyn Jones, Mike Macfarlane, Alex Walker, Aaron Penberthy

Attendance – 1,347
Referee – Kristoff Ridley