Cambridge vs Ealing Trailfinders

Match Report

Ealing Trailfinders overcame Cambridge with an emphatic 19-89 victory at Ellgia Fields in Round 18 of the Championship.

A total of 13 tries, including braces from Ben Harris, Ollie Newman and Rob Farrar ensured Trailfinders came away with all five points.

This result means Ben Ward’s men maintain a 13-point lead at the top of the Championship.

It was an electric start as Mike Willemse opened the scoring inside the opening ten minutes. The Trailfinders Captain crashed over at the back of a rolling maul.

After turnover ball at the line-out, Trailfinders managed to catch Cambridge out. The ball was moved to Jordy Reid who broke the line and had defenders hanging off him as he powered his way over.

As the match reached the end of the first quarter, Harris received the ball out wide. He managed to beat his man and step the fullback for a stunning score.

He was at it again just moments later. This time, the ball was moved quickly along the backline, and he was able to capitalise on the overlap.

With ten minutes on the clock in the first-half, multiple pick and go phases on the Cambridge try line meant Farrar was able to muscle his way over for a try on the occasion of his 50th appearance.

Cambridge’s Pete White was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on, and it did not take long for the visitors to capitalise. A quick tap from the penalty was moved out wide and Reuben Bird-Tulloch crossed the whitewash.

David Bridge added his name to the scoresheet next. Dan Jones put him through a gap on the 22, and he had enough in the tank to make it to the try line.

With the clock in red, Jordan Holgate gave the Cambridge defence a show and go, and the centre was able to canter in from the halfway line to round off an extremely impressive first-half of rugby from the visitors.

Half-time: Cambridge 0-56 Ealing Trailfinders

Cambridge opened the scoring in the second period. Some unstructured rugby lead to Eli Caven finding space on the lefthand side.

Newman didn’t take long to put his mark on the game. After coming on, he broke from a rolling maul to score his first.

His second score was something more to shout about. He pierced the defensive line 40m out and charged towards the line. He had enough pace to beat the covering defence and extended Trailfinders’ lead.

Straight from the restart, the visitors spotted some space on the left wing. Collins found Michael Stronge with an inside ball, and he sprinted to the line unopposed.

A Cambridge mistake led to the league leaders’ twelfth of the afternoon. The hosts’ knocked-on, Willis collected and two passes later Farrar was in under the sticks.

Matt Hema got another back for Cambridge before Geordie Irvine scored his try in a Tralfinders shirt, as he powered over from close range.

The hosts managed a final consolation try, but it made little difference to the outcome. It was an outstanding display from Ealing Trailfinders, who took all five points back to Trailfinders Sports Club.

Full-time: Cambridge 19-89 Ealing Trailfinders

Cambridge:

Tries- Eli Caven 49, Matt Hema 70, Joe Green 76

Conversions- Eli Caven 50 71

Yellow cards- Pete White 35

Ealing Trailfinders:

Tries- Mike Willemse 7, Jordy Reid 15, Ben Harris 20 24, Rob Farrar 31 65, Reuben Bird-Tulloch 36, David Bridge 38, Jordan Holgate 40, Ollie Newman 53 59, Michael Stronge 61, Geordie Irvine 73

Conversions- Dan Jones 8 16 21 25 32 37 39 40, Craig Willis 54 60 62 66