Ealing Trailfinders vs Nottingham

Match Report

A sensational first-half blitz saw the West Londoners secure the bonus point within 25 minutes and the 11-try victory now sees the Trailfinders return to the top of the pool 1.

The hosts came out of the blocks fast, with Cian Kelleher getting on the end of a beautifully weighted Dan Lancaster kick after just three minutes.

Then Walker scored two tries in ten minutes, both on the back of a rolling maul as the forwards looked to dominate the Archers.

On the 20 minute mark, the visitors managed to get on the scoresheet through Ryan Olowofela after Michael Stronge took a quick tap penalty and allowed the winger to run onto his grubber in behind.

But Trailfinders answered straight back as Uzokwe managed to secure the bonus point. Trailfinders’ fifth try was one of the best of the afternoon, as Steven Shingler regathered a chip in behind. As he was being tackled he threw a no look, reverse offload to put Reuben Bird-Tulloch under the sticks.

Bird-Tulloch then turned provider as he burst through the middle before offloading to Jordan Burns to score under the posts. Then with five minutes to go before the break, another well weighted Lancaster kick found Jonah Holmes to dot down in the corner.

On the stroke of half-time Will Montgomery crashed over for score number eight to make it Ealing Trailfinders 52-7 Nottingham.

The second-half saw a much improved Nottingham performance, but still they were unable to stop Kyle Whyte from crashing over five minutes into the half.

The next half-an-hour saw the game tighten up somewhat, as the defence from both sides got on top of the attack. It was on the 71st minute mark that this deadlock was broken again, as Max Bodilly spotted space in behind as he regathered his own kick to score.

With five minutes to go, Nottingham got their second score through Michael Green, as the centre bundled over after a strong rolling maul had come up just short.

Then, with time almost up, Uzokwe muscled over for his second to make the final score: Ealing Trailfinders 71-14 Nottingham.

Victorious Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “I’m really pleased. After two defeats this sees us get back on track and I’m really satisfied both with the result and with our performance.”

Full-time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 71-14 Nottingham

T: Kelleher 3′, Walker 8′, 17′, Uzokwe 25′, 78′, Bird-Tulloch 30′, Burns 33′, Holmes 36′, Montgomery 40′, Whyte 45′, Bodilly 71′

C: Shingler 3′, 18′, 25′, 30, Lancaster 33′, 40′, 45′, 71′