Saracens v Ealing Trailfinders

Match Report

Ealing Trailfinders secure a crucial 29-50 victory against Saracens at the StoneX Stadium in Round Four of the Premiership Rugby Cup.

 

Tries from Mike Willmese and Jordy Reid and braces from Reuben Bird-Tulloch and Tobi Wilson secured all five points for the visitors.

 

Trailfinders sit at the top of Pool C, with two rounds of the pool stages to go in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

 

It was an electric start to proceedings in North-West London. From the kick-off, Wilson rose above Saracens players to tap the ball back, and the hosts conceded a penalty at the breakdown. Trailfinders pointed to the sticks, and Dan Jones gave them the lead after two minutes.

 

Ealing Trailfinders kept the pressure on; after multiple phases on the opposition try line, they eventually crashed through the defensive wall, and it was captain Willemse who came up with the ball after just ten minutes on the clock.

 

The visitors second try also came in the opening quarter of an hour. It was Bird-Tulloch who went underneath the posts untouched after Jones offloaded out of the tackle.

 

Saracens hit back with two of their own. Tries from Carwyn Tuipulotu and Brandon Jackson made it a one-score game.

 

In a game full of momentum swings, Wilson capitalised next. Craig Hampson pounced on a loose ball at the breakdown, and the ball was moved out to the right quickly, allowing the fullback to run in from the 22.

 

Wilson was not done there; turnover ball at the scrum two minutes later meant this time the ball was quickly shifted out to the left, allowing him to go into the opposite corner.

 

The hosts scored the final try of the half. It was Jackson who raced in down the left wing, which brought Saracens to within ten points of Trailfinders.

 

Half-time: Saracens 17-27 Ealing Trailfinders

 

The fast-paced nature of the match was on hold for the third quarter. Jones stepped up to the tee three times, adding nine points in a dominant period for Ben Ward’s men.

 

Jordan Holgate’s interception ignited the second half. He offloaded to his centre partner Bird-Tulloch who ran in from halfway for his second try of the match.

 

Tiff Eden secured the try bonus for Saracens with ten minutes left on the clock.

 

Jordy Reid capitalised on his own charge down to score Trailfinders’ sixth and final try. Jones converted to bring up fifty on the scoreboard for Trailfinders.

 

It was Saracens who had the final say. Jackson sprinted in down the left wing for his hat trick.

 

This left the final score 29-50 to Ealing Trailfinders, and they will be hoping to carry that momentum into next week, where they welcome Harlequins to Trailfinders Sports Club.

 

Full-time: Saracens 29-50 Ealing Trailfinders

 

Saracens:

Tries- Carwyn Tuipulotu 15,Brandon Jackson 18 36 80, Tiff Eden 72

Conversions- Louie Johnson 37 80

Ealing Trailfinders:

Tries- Mike Willemse 6, Reuben Bird-Tulloch 11 64, Tobi Wilson 22 27, Jordy Reid 77

Conversions- Dan Jones 7 12 65, Craig Willis 78

Penalties- Dan Jones 2 51 55 63