Hartpury RFC vs Ealing Trailfinders

Match Report

Ealing Trailfinders won their final preseason match against Hartpury at the 4Ed Hartpury Stadium.

Tries from Scott Buckley, Jordy Reid, Kyle Hatherell, Will Parry, Geordie Gwynn and a brace from Jordan Holgate secured the 21-47 win over the fellow Champ Rugby side.

Ealing Trailfinders broke the deadlock inside ten minutes through Holgate. The powerful centre took a perfect line, targeting the defender’s inside shoulder, he powered through the tackle and dotted down.

The hosts hit back moments later after a clever inside ball put Robbie Smith away. The extras were added and they led by two.

With a quarter of the match played, a powerful rolling maul ensured Buckley got his name on the scoresheet, but Hartpury regained the lead with a line-out drive of their own, and Ethan Hunt came up with the ball. Bobby De Wee received a 20-minute red card from the restart for taking the player out in the air.

Being down to 14 men did not stop Trailfinders. Holgate found space out wide to score his brace and captain Reid powered over from close range to put Trailfinders in a commanding position at the break.

Half-time: Hartpury 14-26 Ealing Trailfinders

It was a sloppy opening ten minutes of the second period, before the home side crossed the whitewash again to make it a one-score game.

Trailfinders’ power game then came into play. After multiple pick-and-go attempts, they worked their way to the line and Hatherell grounded the ball.

With ten minutes to go, Hartpury had a man sent to the bin, which allowed Ben Ward’s men to capitalise. George Worboys put Parry through a gap for his first try in Trailfinders colours.

In the final play of the game, Tobi Wilson and Parry combined down the left wing, before giving it to Gwynn who beat the last defender to score his third try in as many games.

Full-time: Hartpury 21-47 Ealing Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders –

Tries: Jordan Holgate 9 38, Scott Buckley 21, Jordy Reid 40, Kyle Hatherell 57, Will Parry 74 Geordie Gwynn 80

Conversions: Dan Jones 22 39 40, George Worboys 58 75 80

Red cards: Bobby De Wee 35