Hartpury RFC vs Ealing Trailfinders

A Simon Uzokwe brace helped Ealing Trailfinders to a 13-26 bonus point victory away at Hartpury.

It was a match that very nearly didn’t happen, with the main pitch frozen over, but Hartpury were able to move the game over to the next door 4G pitch to ensure it still went ahead.

Despite this, the conditions were still difficult to deal with, given the freezing temperatures and heavy fog. But a penalty try in between Uzokwe’s brace and a late Carlo Tizzano score ensured Trailfinders left Hartpury with five points.

When the game finally did get underway, it did not take long for Trailfinders to go on the attack. Ben Ward’s squad had several good opportunities in the first 10 minutes to get on the scoreboard, but lacked that killer edge to convert chances into points and Hartpury came out of the period unscathed.

Then on the quarter of an hour mark, Hartpury managed to score totally against the run of play. A simple missed tackle allowed Brad Denty to break clear, before the ball was popped inside to Matty Jones. The scrum-half ran in under the sticks and Tommy Mathews added the extras to make the score 7-0.

Despite this score, Trailfinders remained composed and built back into the game. The most effective way of doing this came via the scrum. It took 25 minutes for the visitors to get their first put-in, but from there Trailfinders didn’t look back, winning consistent scrum penalties for the rest of the afternoon.

From the first scrum penalty Ealing Trailfinders went to the corner and set up a rolling maul. Although it got disrupted, Trailfinders managed to recycle well and the ball found its way to Uzokwe who powered over from 10 metres out. Craig Willis added the conversion and the score was all tied up.

Hartpury added a penalty from Mathews to edge in front again, but Trailfinders answered straight back on the 35 minute mark. With a 10 metre line-out, Ealing Trailfinders set up a strong rolling maul that was moving forward at serious pace. With the try-line beckoning, Hartpury cynically entered from the side to pull it down and the referee was left with no choice but to award the penalty try and send the Hartpury player to the sin-bin.

Then on the stroke of half-time, Trailfinders were in again. Another dominant rolling maul crashed over with Uzokwe dotting down and Willis adding the conversion to make it 10-21 at the break.

With the hosts restored to a full compliment, they started the second-half the stronger of the two sides, attacking right from the outset and eventually settling for a penalty through Mathews on the 47 minute mark.

Although Hartpury would have liked to have kicked on from here, Trailfinders’ defence stood firm throughout the second 40 and were able to limit the hosts to just three points. This was partly due to the scrum which got Trailfinders out of trouble on the five metre line on several occasions.

With 15 minutes to go, the scrum was able to help Ealing Trailfinders set up the bonus point score, winning the penalty that saw the visitors go to the corner. Here Trailfinders launched a fierce attack and after several patient phases, quick ball allowed replacement Tizzano to further his lead at the top of the Championship try-scoring charts.

With the bonus point secured Trailfinders were able to see out the rest of the game, securing an important 13-26 victory.

After the game, Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “I’m really pleased with that result, Hartpury are the form team in the league as they’ve won their last five, so we’re delighted to come here and get the five points.”

Tickets are selling fast for next Saturday’s Championship clash with Coventry at Trailfinders Sports Club (KO 3pm). Click here to purchase tickets.

Full-time Score: Hartpury 13-26 Ealing Trailfinders

T: Uzokwe 26’, 39’, Penalty Try 35’, Tizzano 67’

C: Willis 26’ 39’

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Ealing Trailfinders vs Ampthill

We got back to winning ways as we ran out 35-24 victors against a resilient Ampthill side at Trailfinders Sports Club this afternoon.

It was a game that we took a while to build into and credit has to go to the visitors for hanging in the fight and picking up a deserved try bonus point.

Amid some poor conditions, when the game got underway in West London, it took both teams some time to build into the encounter. It was on the ten minute mark that the deadlock was broken, as Ampthill’s Morgan Strong went over on the back of a rolling maul.

This score looked to have woken us up as we went on the attack immediately from the kick-off, but despite five minutes of constant pressure inside their 22, we were not able to get over.

This didn’t last long however, and just after the 20 minute mark, Jonah Holmes dotted down after a beautifully delayed pass from Craig Willis to put him under the sticks. Willis added the extras and the game was tied up.

From the restart The Mob answered straight back. Kyle Whyte was sent to the bin for repeated penalties and then Strong got over for his and Ampthill’s second score.

The final 15 minutes of the half saw constant pressure as the Trailfinders were roared on by the vocal home crowd. Repeated penalties saw us camped on the Ampthill five metre line and with the half-time whistle beckoning, a powerful rolling maul was illegally stopped and the referee went straight under the posts to award a penalty try.

Half-time score: Ealing Trailfinders 14-12 Ampthill.

After a great half-time display from the Ealing Trailfinders Cheerleaders, we came out of the blocks fast in the second 40. Early impetus saw a great break from Pat Howard as he made 30 metres and beat several defenders. With Ampthill struggling for numbers defensively, Conor Rankin rushed out the line and was able to grab the intercept and run 80 metres to put the visitors back in front.

It was a lead that again didn’t last long as another great rolling maul was stopped just short and we were able to quickly recycle to the short side as Jan-Henning Campher burst through the tacklers to retake the lead.

The next score came 10 minutes later and it was from a lovely break finished off with a considerable amount of luck. After strong play, Carlo Tizzano was put through a hole on the half-way line and raced clear. The league’s top try-scorer was pulled down meters from the line and looked to offload to Craig Hampson. His pass hit the scrum-half directly in the face and the ball bobbled over the try line before Hampson dotted down. As the ball going forward off someone’s head isn’t a knock-on, the referee conferred with his assistant referee given the rare nature of this try, before awarding the score. Craig Willis slotted the extras to ensure his 100% success rate from the boot.

With the game ticking into the final 20, Ben Harris scored Ampthill bonus point try to make the margin only four points. This meant the final quarter of an hour could have been a very nervy affair, but the dominance of our replacement props helped keep us on top. A penalty at the scrum gave us field position and then repeated infringements and a deliberate knock-on eventually saw Ampthill down to 14.

With the man advantage, we chose to go to a scrum five metres out. The power shown pushed Ampthill back at a rate of knots and after they cynically infringed, the referee had no choice but to run under the posts for another penalty try.

With a few minutes on the clock we were able to close out a hard fought 35-24 victory.

The Bread Street Café Player of the Match was awarded to Carlo Tizzano.

Tickets are now on sale for our next home fixture against Coventry on Saturday 28th January at Trailfinders Sports Club (KO 3pm). Click here to purchase tickets. To book our delicious pre-match hospitality email: hospitality@etprm.com.

Full-time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 35-24 Ampthill

T: Holmes 21′, Penalty Try 38′, 74′, Campher 47′, Hampson 55′

C: Willis 21′, 47′, 55′

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Caldy vs Ealing Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders suffered their first defeat of the 2022/23 Championship season, going down 26-24 in a titanic battle at Paton Field.

In front of a big and vocal home crowd, Caldy crossed for their bonus point try in the final moment of the game to clinch an impressive victory and secure their third win of the season.

Ealing Trailfinders arrived at Paton Field confident and determined following their powerful 43-22 win over Jersey Reds on Christmas Eve, however on a tough, wet and slow pitch, the battle with Caldy was always going to be heated.

Up against a physical and large Caldy pack, the Trailfinders forwards hit the game with power, barging over the whitewash with a well executed driving maul in the 15th minute, Jan-Henning Campher the scorer. Craig Willis added his first kick of the afternoon and Ben Ward’s side led 0-7.

The match took a pivotal turn seven minutes later with Ealing Trailfinders tight-head Ross Kane red carded for a dangerous tackle in the ruck. Kane’s dismissal meant Trailfinders were down to 14 players for the next 58 minutes.

Needing to keep the scoreboard ticking over, Ealing Trailfinders were then awarded a penalty in front of the sticks. Willis stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty kick for the 0-10 lead.

With dark clouds forming over Paton Field, Trailfinders shot out of the blocks straight after the half-time break, with a swift wide pass to Reuben Bird-Tulloch who collected and ran in for an untouched try. Willis nailed the conversion and the visitors were 0-17 ahead.

The lead was only short lived with Caldy responding two minutes later, taking advantage of a loopy wide pass to intercept and cross for their first try. The conversion was successful and the score reduced to 7-17 with 35 minutes left to play.

Determined to remain on the front foot, Ealing Trailfinders hit back just three minutes later with their third try. Jan-Henning on the end of a powerful driving maul to score his second. Willis added the extras for the 7-24 lead.

Holding the 17 point advantage and with 30 minutes left on the clock, Trailfinders looked on track to secure their 11th win of the season, but Caldy were’t done yet and to their credit found a way to get themselves back in the match. Converted tries in the 57th and 65th minute reduced the deficit to just 21-24 with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Roared on by a boisterous home crowd, Caldy continued to throw everything at the Championship leaders. They worked their way into Trailfinders’ 22 on a number of occasions, before taking full advantage of a dramatic final three minutes.

First Luke Daniels was yellow carded in the 77th minute, before fullback Jonah Holmes also found himself in the sin-bin two minutes later. With Ealing Trailfinders reduced to 12 players and with one final attempt at the line, Caldy swung the ball swiftly wide, using the overlap to score in the corner and secure a famous comeback win. The conversion was missed but the home supporters could not care less.

Ealing Trailfinders picked up the losing bonus point to maintain a two point lead at the top of the Championship table. A special mention to flanker Ollie Newman who made his Ealing Trailfinders debut.

Full-time Score: Caldy 26-24 Ealing Trailfinders

T: Campher 15′, 48′, Bird-Tulloch 42′,

C: Willis 16′, 43′, 49′

P: Willis 29′

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Ealing Trailfinders vs Jersey Reds

 

 

Coming into the game it was a mouth-watering Christmas Eve match-up, as both sides were unbeaten in the league.

In-front of the biggest crowd of the season so far, the Trailfinders were able to put on a six-try spectacular, including a Craig Hampson brace, as they powered to victory.

After a great morning of build-up, with Christmas songs, snow machines and other festivities, the 1,500 strong crowd were ready to cheer on the two teams.

The atmosphere was palpable as the visitors kicked off, but it was Ealing Trailfinders who were able to strike the first blow. A lovely free flowing move, eventually saw Luke Daniels released down the left wing. He was able to offload inside to Reuben Bird-Tulloch and despite being tackled, he was able to power over. Craig Willis impressively added the extras from out-wide and Ealing were 7-0 up after three minutes.

This lead didn’t last long, as Jersey responded back immediately scoring in the opposite corner to make it 7-5 after seven minutes.

After a frantic start, both sides were then able to ease into the game but the Trailfinders still remained on top.

This was until the quarter of an hour mark. Camped 5m out Ealing looked like they were about to crash over, but Jersey’s Brendan Owen picked off an intercept. The fullback raced clear and looked for all money like he was destined to score but Jonah Holmes was able to track him down before winning the penalty in what was the best defensive moment of the afternoon!

Five minutes later, the hosts made no mistake as Bird-Tulloch’s superb miss pass found Cian Kelleher who was able to power past the final two defenders to score in the corner.

The Jersey line-out had been a real strength this season, but as the game went on Danny Cutmore and David O’Connor begun to become a nuisance for the visitors. A big steal just before the half an hour mark paid off and within minutes, Trailfinders were down the end scoring through Hampson after a great Holmes break. This made the score 19-5 with just ten minutes until the break.

Jersey were determined to limit this margin however, as James Dun scored with four minutes to go and then on the half-time whistle, Russell Bennet’s penalty sailed wide to make it Ealing Trailfinders 19-12 Jersey Reds at the break.

In the second 40 it was the visitors came out of the blocks the fastest, but they were unable to score. This momentum well and truly shifted when, with their first attack of the half, Ealing built the phases before Hampson sold the most outrageous dummy from close range and was able to get over for his second score of the game.

This was followed by a Craig Willis penalty five minutes later to make it 29-12 with 20 minutes to go.

A Jersey try briefly made the gap 12 points, but then came the moment of the afternoon. Hampson again managed to snipe around the base of the ruck, and made a great break. On a hat trick, he executed the perfect 2-on-1 to selflessly put Ross Kane in under the sticks for his first ever try in professional rugby!

A quick score back from Jersey gave them a try bonus-point, but Trailfinders quickly responded through Willis who was bundled over by his teammates before converting his own score.

Full-time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 43-22 Jersey Reds

T: Bird-Tulloch 3′, Kelleher 19′, Hampson 31′, 47′, Kane 65′, Willis 74′

C: Willis 3′, 31′, 47′, 65′, 74′

P: Willis 52′

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Ealing Trailfinders vs Bedford Blues

Braces from Carlo Tizzano and Shaun Malton helped Ealing Trailfinders continue their unbeaten run this season as they returned to the top of the Championship table after a 42-17 win over Bedford Blues.

It was a game that both sides took some time to build into, as the cold weather threatened to make handling difficult.

Bedford had deliberately picked four second-rows in their starting team in an attempt to try and stop the Ealing rolling maul which has been so effective so far this season, but on the tenth minute, the hosts muscled over with Malton dotting down to score the first try of the game.

After edging in front, the visitors managed to reclaim some momentum, and after knocking on the Ealing door for ten minutes or so, Grimoldby and Bedford took the points, to make it 7-3.

From that point until the half-time, it was all Ealing. A great passage of play that went from one touchline to the other eventually allowed Tizzano to power over from close range as the forward returned to the top of the Championship’s try-scoring charts just before the half hour.

Then five minutes later Ealing were in again. This time it was created through the boot of Craig Willis who found Malton on the end of his cross field kick. After plucking the ball out of the air, the hooker then dummied, broke down the wing before finding Howard on his inside to score Trailfinders’ third and make it 21-3 at the break.

After their disappointing first half, Bedford were quick out of the blocks in the second half as Matt Worley was on the end of a lovely backs move to get the Blues right back in the contest.

The hosts responded quickly however, first through Tizzano who scored after breaking off the back of a rolling maul, and then Malton was able to score a beauty of his own.

After a kick to the corner, Ealing faked the rolling maul and spun it wide. The hooker received the ball midway through a beautiful outside arch and despite being caught 5m from the line, was able to muscle his way over.

Bedford did respond through a good solo try from Jake Garside, but the final score of the game went to substitute Cam Terry, who managed to pounce on a loose ball near the Bedford try line and bundle his way over.

After his two scores and a strong all round performance, the Bread Street Cafe Player of the Match was awarded to Shaun Malton.

Full-time Score: Ealing Trailfinders XX-XX Bedford Blues

T: Malton 6′ 48′, Tizzano 27′, 44′, Howard 34′, Terry 74′

C: Willis 6′, 27′, 34′. 48′, Shingler 74′

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Cornish Pirates vs Ealing Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders scored 25 unanswered points in the second half to secure a powerful 12-25 bonus point win over Cornish Pirates at The Mennaye.

In difficult conditions and battling against a vocal home crowd, Ealing experienced a tough opening 40 minutes.

David Johnston was substituted after just three minutes following a heavy collision and his replacement Steven Shingler (on for his 50th appearance) found himself in the sin-bin just ten minutes later. Pirates took full advantage of the extra man and early attacking momentum, crashing over for their first try in the 13th minute.

With the try unconverted, Trailfinders started to find their gear. The visitors worked their way into the Pirates half and built attacking pressure. However an injury to Cian Kelleher meant Jordan Burns was called upon to play the remainder of the match on the wing.

Ealing soon barged their way over the Pirates line from metres out but the hosts defence stood firm to hold the ball up. The visitors continued to throw everything at Pirates and were close to scoring, but a wayward short pass was intercepted and pounced upon. The Cornish centre ran 75 metres to score untouched under the posts. Pirates led 12-0 at half-time.

Heading into the second half, Ealing knew they had to score first to halt the Pirates momentum. That moment came in the 48th minute when Simon Uzokwe bulldozed his way over from close range. Craig Willis missed the conversion but Trailfinders were back in the contest.

Pirates soon found themselves down to 13 men after repeated infringements. Ealing took full advantage with Carlo Tizzano powering his way over. Willis added the extras and the scores were locked at 12-12.

With the clock ticking into the final ten minutes, Trailfinders won a penalty deep in Pirates territory. Willis stepped up and knocked over the penalty kick to give Ealing the 12-15 lead.

Pirates lost another player to the sin-bin in the 77th minute and Ealing pounced. First Willis delivered a beautiful cross-field kick to scrum-half turned winger Jordan Burns who crossed in the corner.

Then in the final seconds Ealing put together a swift attack in the Pirates 22. Shingler broke through the Cornish defence popped a lovely offload to Jonah Holmes who then passed to a charging Jordan Burns who sliced through to score his second and secure a remarkable 12-25 bonus point win.

The comeback victory was Ealing’s eighth Championship win of the season and a fitting tribute to Barney Maddison and Steven Shingler who both celebrated their 50th first-team appearance.

Tickets are selling fast for next Saturday’s Championship clash with Bedford Blues at Trailfinders Sports Club (KO 3pm). Click here for tickets. To book our delicious pre-match hospitality email: hospitality@etprm.com.

Full-time Score: Cornish Pirates 12-25 Ealing Trailfinders

T: Uzokwe 48′, Tizzano 62′, Burns 78′, 80′

C: Willis 63′

P: Willis 71′

 

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Ealing Trailfinders vs Nottingham

After a blistering start, your Trailfinders scored 10 tries as we ran out 64-33 winners against Nottingham at Trailfinders Sports Club.

It took only four minutes for us to break the deadlock, as a beautifully weighted Craig Willis grubber kick bounced into the hands of Jonah Holmes to allow him to score in the corner.

Five minutes later we were in again, this time it was through a screamer from Jordan Burns! Nottingham knocked the ball on inside our 22 and it was quickly transferred to Burns who sprinted clear, before skinning the final man to score underneath the sticks.

A minute later we scored again. With good turnover ball we managed to shift the ball wide and made good meters. Although we were pulled down just short, we remained patient before exploiting the overlap and putting Holmes in for his second.

It took only 17 minutes for us to add the bonus point and for the Welsh International to complete his hat trick, as Holmes intercepted a Nottingham pass and scored in the corner.

After the blistering start, it was understandable that the rate of scoring was going to drop off slightly, but just as Nottingham looked like they were building into the game, Reuben Bird-Tulloch pounced on a loose ball and ran it in from 50m out.

On the stroke of half-time, the visitors were camped on our line. Although Steven Shingler was sent to the bin after repeated team penalties, the defence stood firm and the Half-time score was Ealing Trailfinders 33-0 Nottingham.

As the teams came back out for the second half, we hit the ground running as Burns went in for his second after a great break and offload from Carlo Tizzano.

After this start we would have hoped to have kicked on, but the next five minutes were something to forget from a Trailfinders perspective. Firstly Nottingham scored straight from the restart, before they added their second and third tries two and four minutes later after capitalising on some loose Ealing passes.

After this brief lapse in concentration, we regrouped and managed to re-establish our dominance. Despite being a forward down after Kyle Whyte was sent to the bin, we won back-to-back scrum penalties which allowed us to set up a rolling maul from 5m out and Simon Uzokwe was able to dot down.

With 12 minutes to go and the score at 47-21, many may have expected the scoring to end there but there were still six tries to be added.

The first of these saw Uzokwe grab his second following on from an outstanding break from debutant Jack Grant. Nottingham responded five minutes later throw a rolling maul try of their own to see them take a deserved try bonus point.

With five minutes to go Bobby De Wee and Lewis Chessum were sent to the bin following a large scuffle on the pitch.

After his great break, it was now the turn of Jack Grant to score a three minute brace. Firstly he got on the end of a beautiful free flowing move to dot down from close range, before moments later he identified space on the blindside of the scrum and executed a great 1-2 to score in the corner.

In the final play of the game, Harry Graham went over from close range to make the Full-time score: Ealing Trailfinders 64-33 Nottingham

Ealing Trailfinders 64-33 Nottingham

T: Holmes 4,9,17, Burns 8,42, Bird-Tulloch 31, Uzokwe 60,68, Grant 76,80

C: Willis 8,10,18,31,42, Shingler 61,68

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