Moseley vs Ealing Trailfinders

Match Report

Ealing Trailfinders fell to a defeat in their opening British and Irish Cup match of the season in a match that fully lived up to the old cliché of a match of two halves.

Ben Ward’s side went in at half-time 31-5 ahead, but after the teams turned around after the break the hosts used the fierce wind to their advantage to fight back and secure their second win over Ealing Trailfinders this season.

England’s World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson was the star guest as Moseley opened their brand new and highly-impressive main stand, but it was Ealing Trailfinders’ forwards who responded best to his presence on the side-lines in the first half.

Three times in the first half Ealing Trailfinders driving maul resulted in tries, twice for Arthur Ellis and once for Rhys Lawrence, who was making his first start since joining the club from Bristol over the summer.

Centre Danny Barnes scored his first try for the club when he finished off a sweeping counter-attack, Phil Chesters raced onto a chip over the defence and Ben Ward knocked over three conversions.

Moseley wing Tom Collins ran in the hosts only points of the first half, but after half-time Kevin Maggs’ side fully used the sleeting rain and the wind at their backs to fight back.

Collins ran in his second, number eight Chris Brightwell kept up the momentum going before Harry Casson’s score and a penalty try drew them level. With two minutes to go Charlie Foley knocked over two penalties to ensure Moseley started their cup campaign with a win, though Ealing Trailfinders at least left with both the four-try and losing bonus point.

Scorers
Moseley
Tries (Collins 32, 46, Brightwell 42, penalty 65, Casson 69), Conversions (Foley 46, 65, 69), Penalties (Foley 78, 80)
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Ellis 16, 19, Barnes 24, Chester 26, Lawrence 38), Conversions (Ward 19, 24, 38)

Moseley
Mike Penn, Kyle Evans, Joe Williams, Tim Molenaar, Tom Collins, Charlie Foley, David Brazier; Adam Caves, Simon Gardiner, Aaron Flagg, Harry Casson, Ed Siggery, Will Keenan, Chris Brightwell
Reserves
Scott Tolmie, Tom Warren, Harry Hone, Joe Bercis, Buster Lawrence, Sam Brown, Greg King

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, James Stephenson, Danny Barnes, Tom Wheatcroft, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; George Porter, Rhys Lawrence, Sam Rodman, Carwyn Jones, Adam Preocanin, Harrison Orr, Arthur Ellis, Chris York (captain)
Reserves
Jamie Kilbane, Karl Gibson, Alex Penny, Nathan Hannay, Eoghan Grace, Tom Bliss, James Love

Referee – Elia Rizo
Attendance – 818