Ealing Trailfinders vs Ampthill

Match Report

Ealing Trailfinders secured a place in the Championship Cup semi-final after their victory against Ampthill at Trailfinders Sports Club.

Ealing Trailfinders had a ten point cushion coming in to this game, after winning at Dillingham Park last weekend. However, Ampthill were quick to cut their deficit to just three points after scoring the opening try of the match inside fifteen minutes. Theo Dan got himself on the scoresheet after a powerful rolling maul from the away side, just after Harry Dugmore had been sent to the sin bin as Trailfinders had given away multiple penalties.

The hosts didn’t take long to bounce back from going behind. Charlie Walker put the pressure onto Ampthill with an outstanding 50 22. This gave the forwards an opportunity to test Ampthill’s maul defence. With a total of thirteen Ealing players in the maul, they proved too strong and Cam Terry came up with the try.

Just five minutes later, it was that man again. Cam Terry scored his second of the game and once again the majority of the Ealing backline had joined the maul to help the pack power over.

Kyle Whyte dotted down for Trailfinders’ third. It was turning into a great afternoon for the front row. David Johnston hit a great line on the inside of Shingler making thirty metres, but got stopped just five metres out. He tried to offload and the ball hit the ground where Kyle Whyte was on hand to pick up and dive over.

Half-Time – Ealing Trailfinders 21 Ampthill 7

Ampthill began the second half as brightly as they started the first. After some nice handling they worked the ball wide, allowing Ben Cambriani to touch down in the corner.

The away side were not willing to lie down and came out strong once again. After five minutes of attack on Ealing’s line, the home side managed to come up with the turnover, relieving huge amounts of pressure. It was then Charlie Walker’s time to shine with an outstanding solo effort. He broke through the defensive line before chipping the ball over the full-back to collect and score.

The West Londoners’ quality began to show the longer the match went on, Gary Porter was on hand to crash over after multiple pick and go phases from the Ealing pack. Just five minutes later, Porter was at it again. Trailfinders quick tapped and set up a rolling maul, allowing the South African to score.

Charlie Walker once again showed his quality to score Ealing’s seventh try of the game. He was passed the ball on the wing and sidestepped three players to be able to dot down underneath the sticks.

Despite the tie starting to get away from Ampthill, replacement Tom Hudson’s forty metre run in after some intricate passing managed to gain his side another five points.

The last act of the game would see a final try for the hosts. Matt Gordon burrowed his way over from just a couple of metres out after sustained pressure on the Ampthill line.

Full-Time – Ealing Trailfinders 56 Ampthill 24