London Scottish vs Ealing Trailfinders

Match Report

London Scottish scored in the last phase of the game as Ealing Trailfinders five match win-streak came to an end in a stunning 19-17 defeat.

Welcomed to the pitch by a bagpipe fanfare, there was plenty of excitement to follow at Richmond Athletic Ground in a thrilling contest.

Matas Jurevicius got the scoring underway for London Scottish, after Jonah Holmes had initially made an unbelievable try-saving tackle from a Scottish breakaway.

Ealing settled into the game after a fast start from the home side, with Mike Willemse making it 5-5 in the 18th minute, after Ealing had won a penalty off the first scrum of the afternoon.

With the scrum domination continuing, Trailfinders took the lead ten minutes before half-time, Cian Kelleher finishing off a swift move from right to left to make it 10-5.

The game continued to ebb and flow as half-time neared, with Scottish next to strike through Tom Marshall, taking Scottish into the break 12-10 to the good.

The home side dominated proceedings in the opening minutes of the second half. But with Matt Cornish on for his 100th appearance, Ealing continued to set the tone at the set piece.

They capitalised on another penalty advantage soon after, as Biyi Alo crashed over under the posts to put Ealing ahead for the first time in the match.

Scottish didn’t fade away as the game entered the final minutes, however, and replacement scrum-half Lewis Gjaltema was only denied a breakaway try thanks to the rapid covering work by Tom Collins.

But it was Scottish who had the last say, regaining the lead as Alec Lloyd-Seed slotted his conversion from the left touchline to the delight of the home supporters.

Trailfinders remain at the top of the table after picking up a losing bonus point, with Nottingham five points behind in second.