Ealing Trailfinders vs Bedford Blues

Match Report

Mike Smith reporting from Trailfinders Sports Club

Bedford Blues inflicted a first home loss of Ealing Trailfinders season on Saturday afternoon, as Mike Rayer’s side ran out 19-31 victors in Round 17 in West London.

It was the Trailfinders who struck first early on, a 50:22 won after a great nudge through from Craig Hampson, saw the men in green and white enter the blues twenty-two looking for points. After some forceful forward work, the ball was played out to Simon Linsell, who, just managing to juggle the ball, kept hold of it, his momentum seeing him bundle over the line to score in consecutive games. Steven Shingler stepping up to add the extras with the boot.

Almost immediately, Bedford would strike back though, their own pressure seeing them camp inside the Trailfinders 22. The ball was worked along the backs for Matt Worley to score on the overlap. In what would prove to be an open first half, both sides seemed adamant it would be them who put their stamp on the game.

The end to end action was to return just minutes later when Jan-Henning Campher worked off the back of the rolling maul to run through unopposed, getting the home side back in front.

The next ten minutes would see Bedford hit back again, earning a number of penalties; however, the Trailfinders defence held firm until the thirty second minute when a line out saw them work the ball well out wide, Ollie Newman getting the visitors back within just two points going into half time.

Half-Time Ealing Trailfinders 14 – Bedford Blues 12

After what was a busy first half of rugby, Bedford would continue their momentum with them going into the opening period of the second half.

Their possession was rewarded moments later when Prop Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi broke off the back of the maul, running down the blindside to score and put Bedford in front for the first time in the tie.

Continuing to apply the pressure, the visitors would win another penalty. Kicking to the corner once again, this time it was Hooker Jack Hughes who would dot down to extend the blues lead going into the heart of the second half.

Trailfinders weren’t going to lie down, though, and they were soon back within a score when a well-worked move from a driving maul, saw Matt Gordon power home to give his side hope of a second-half comeback, in what was the Centre’s first game back since facing Bedford away in November.

However it wasn’t to be for Trailfinders as with less than 10 minutes on the clock, Bedford would strike again; once again, a line out worked down well saw the ball worked out wide to Jamie Elliot to put breathing room between the visitors and hosts.

Full-Time Ealing Trailfinders 19 – Bedford Blues 31

Ealing Trailfinders starting 15

1. Dylan Smith -Ikon Dental

2. Jan-Henning Campher – Ikon Dental

3. George Davis – The Turmeric Co

4. Simon Linsell – Geoff & Back Row

5. Harry Casson – Angela Jackson

6. Len Massyn – David Lloyd

7. Simon Uzokwe – GD Higgins

8. Rayn Smid (C) – Green Army

9. Craig Hampson – Nabarro

10. Steven Shingler – City Trust Finance

11. Angus Kernohan – Col’s Corner

12. Matt Gordon – Windsor Hill Mortgages

13. Max Bodilly – The Brewer Family

14. Cian Kelleher – Grainne Taylor

15. Luke Daniels – 1 Ugly Crazy Robot

Replacements:

16. Shaun Malton – Woodfield Heating

17. James Gibbons – Nuffield Health

18. Jimmy Roots – Purple Lizard

19. Bobby De Wee – Harrison’s Deli

20. James Cannon- Colin Bibra

21. Jordan Burns – Rhidian Jones

22. Craig Willis – GD Higgins

23. Izzy Moore-Aiono

Bedford Blues Starting 15

1. Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi

2. Jack Hughes

3. Corrie Barrett

4. Robin Williams

5. Jordan Onojaife

6. Bailey Ransom

7. Ollie Newman

8. Oli Stedman

9 Connor Tupai

10 Louis Grimoldby

11. Dean Adamson

12. Joel Matavesi

13. Jamie Elliott

14. Matt Worley

15. Rich Lane (C)

Bedford Blues Replacements:

 

 

16. Jacob Fields

17. Joey Conway

18. Ed Prowse

19. Luke Frost

20. Tui Uru

21. Joe Atkinson

22. Alex Day

23. Dani Long-Martinez