Ealing Trailfinders vs Bedford Blues

Match Report

Ealing Trailfinders lost at home to Bedford 24-30 in Round 17 of the championship.

Efforts from Angus Kernohan, Tobi Wilson, Jordy Reid and Tom Collins weren’t enough on the day for Trailfinders in a top of the table clash.

Trailfinders couldn’t have asked for a better start. With barely a minute played, the home side raced into the lead as Angus Kernohan finished smartly in the corner.

It was a sharp move and a clinical finish, but testing conditions – and a swirling wind – saw Dan Jones’ conversion fall just short.

Bedford responded well, applying pressure at the breakdown and winning two penalties in quick succession. Will Maisey made no mistake from the tee, nudging the Blues into a narrow 6–5 lead by the 10-minute mark.

Trailfinders regained control moments later. After dominating a Bedford scrum in midfield, the ball was whipped wide left for Tobi Wilson, who cut inside to score under the posts.

Jones’ effort from the tee again slid wide, but Trailfinders soon stretched their lead when Jordy Reid crashed over from the back of a rolling maul. Jones added the extras this time.

Bedford, to their credit, remained in the fight. After stringing together their first sustained attacking phases, they eventually broke through to close the gap before the break – though Maisey’s missed conversion kept Trailfinders ahead at half-time.

Half-time: Ealing Trailfinders 17-11 Bedford

The game flipped just seconds into the second half. A clever kick ahead from Bedford’s Alex Day caught the Trailfinders defence flat-footed, and he regathered to score under pressure.

Moments later, a miscommunication in midfield handed Bedford territory, and when Dan Jones was shown yellow, the visitors took full advantage – Fyn Brown carving through a gap to score, with Maisey adding the extras.

Bedford’s momentum didn’t stop there. Alfie Garside chipped through and regathered brilliantly before offloading to Fred Tuilagi, who dotted down under the posts. Maisey’s conversion opened up a 30–17 lead.

With the wind in their sails, Bedford’s physicality and discipline at the breakdown repeatedly stifled Trailfinders’s attempts to claw their way back. Even after Lucas Thitherington saw yellow to level the numbers, Trailfinders couldn’t capitalise, squandering good territory and being turned over under the posts.

A late moment of magic from Tom Collins – finishing acrobatically in the corner – gave Trailfinders a glimmer of hope, and Willis’ remarkable touchline conversion narrowed the margin. But it proved too little, too late, on an afternoon where Trailfinders never quite got going.

Full-time: Ealing Trailfinders 24 – 30 Bedford

Ealing Trailfinders

Tries: Angus Kernohan 1, Tobi Wilson 13, Jordy Reid 26, Tom Collins 71

Conversions: Dan Jones 27, Craig Willis 72

Yellow Cards: Dan Jones 47

Bedford

Tries: Bedford Player 30, Alex Day 41, Fyn Brown 48, Fred Tuilagi 56

Conversions: Will Maisey 49 58

Penalties: Will Maisey 7 10

Yellow Cards: Lucas Titherington 61