Doncaster Knights vs Ealing Trailfinders

Match Report

Ealing Trailfinders fell to a 20-18 defeat on the road against Doncaster Knights in Round 13 of the Championship.

A brace from Angus Kernohan and try from Tom Collins helped secure a losing bonus point at Castle Park.

Trailfinders remain top of the table and sit 12 points clear after the conclusion of this weekend’s matches.

Challenging conditions led to a scrappy opening quarter of the match and neither side managed to get themselves on the scoresheet.

In the 22nd minute, Craig Willis had an opportunity to break the deadlock, and he knocked it over from 40 metres.

Doncaster look to hit back with their first entry into the visitors’ 22. Ollie Newman was sent to the sin bin for illegally bringing down a dangerous rolling maul.

The hosts capitalised moments later. Morgan Bunting spotted Maliq Holden in space and hit a crossfield kick which the winger collected and scored.

Just before the break, Ealing Trailfinders scored their first try of the match. They opted to tap and go, building pressure on the Knights try line.

The ball was then moved out wide. Willis floated a missed pass out to Kernohan, who marked his 50th appearance with a well-finished try.

A missed conversion meant the visitors led by just one point at the break.

Half-time: Doncaster Knights 7-8 Ealing Trailfinders

Doncaster came out with intent in the second 40. Pressure paid off when Logo’i Mulipola powered over from close range to put the home side back into the lead.

Trailfinders hit back immediately with a second try from Kernohan. Reuben Bird-Tulloch fizzed the ball out and the winger went over untouched.

With ten minutes to play, Alex Dolly added three points to the Doncaster tally and extended their lead to four points.

Trailfinders knew they needed to score a try to regain the lead. Francis Moore and Bird-Tulloch combined to break from inside their own half, and eventually put Collins away in the corner.

As the Knights went on the hunt for a winning score, Jordy Reid infringed at the breakdown and got sent for ten minutes on the sideline.

They pointed to the sticks and Dolly slotted a straightforward shot at goal and won the game for Doncaster Knights.

Full-time: Doncaster Knights 20-18 Ealing Trailfinders

Doncaster Knights:

Tries- Maliq Holden 29, Logo’i Mulipola 51

Conversions- Morgan Bunting 30, Alex Dolly 52

Penalties- Alex Dolly 70 79

Ealing Trailfinders:

Tries- Angus Kernohan 40 55, Tom Collins 75

Penalties- Craig Willis 22

Yellow cards- Ollie Newman 28, Jordy Reid 78