Ealing Trailfinders vs Caldy

Match Report

Ealing Trailfinders started 2024 with a bang as they headed back to the top of the Championship table with a 54 – 28 bonus-point victory at home to Caldy.

Rayn Smid, Jonah Holmes and Henry Walker all scored twice, with Lloyd Williams and Mike Willemse also touching down. Craig Willis impressed on his 100th Ealing appearance, converting six of his seven attempts.

Smid got the scoring underway as Ealing got out of the blocks with devastating ball speed to score within two minutes.

The number 8 was at the double only five minutes later, this time finding himself on the right wing for a comfortable run-in from outside the 22.

Williams soon made it three tries in twelve minutes for the home side, running the perfect inside line to capitalise on a Richard Hardwick line break.

Caldy continued the early chaos with a try of their own after 15 minutes, as Michael Cartmill darted through the midfield to touch down under the posts.

The bonus points were secured for Ealing within the first quarter, as a rampaging rolling maul left Holmes with acres of space on the opposite wing.

Hardwick was sent to the bin after a string of conceded penalties, and Ealing were instantly punished from the following line-out as Ollie Hearn crossed over at the back of a driving maul.

But Ealing again instantly replied to conceding, with Reuben Bird-Tulloch weaving through the Ravers defence to release Mike Willemse for Trailfinders fifth try of the half. Willis added the extras to make it 33-14 to Ealing at the break.

It only took Ealing six minutes to add to their first-half lead, as Holmes tumbled his way to the tryline for his second of the afternoon.

Walker was next on the scoresheet, bundling over in the corner to score his first league try for Trailfinders, and extending Ealing’s lead to 47-14.

The hooker doubled his try tally in no time, as Trailfinders passed 50 points on the hour mark.

Caldy showed good resistance despite the scoreline, and were rewarded with two tries in the last five minutes to secure their deserved bonus point.

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