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′
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′
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
Credit has to go to the Exiles for how well they performed today, but despite pressure we were able to come away with the full five points to keep us top of the table.
The game got off to an almost perfect start, with us scoring after just two minutes. The Exiles went being penalised for being offside at a kick which allowed Craig Willis to go to the corner. From 10m out, Shaun Malton looked like he was going over for the first score but the maul was pulled down illegally and so ref Luke Rogan ran under the sticks to award a penalty try.
The hosts answered back shortly after through Jordan Els after winning repeated penalties and it was level after 9 minutes.
This didn’t phase us however, as we quickly responded through Steven Shingler who scored in the corner after a well worked passage of play that saw us tie in players from a rolling maul before spinning wide once we had created the overlap.
Ten minutes later we were in again, after repeated penalties, Carlo Tizzano crashed over on the back of a rolling maul and Craig Willis did superbly well to add the extras from the touchline.
The hosts then added their second score of the day after capitalising from a quick tap penalty allowing Cam King to dot down.
With half-time beckoning we secured the bonus point when Barney Maddison was on the back of the rolling maul this time to put us into a 12 point lead at the break. Half-time score: London Scottish 14-26 Ealing Trailfinders
In the same way that we scored almost immediately in the first-half, Scottish did so in the second as Harlequins dual-registered winger Cassius Cleaves went over in the corner.
It took us our time to respond from the Exiles’ fast start, but we slowly built back into the half. With the bench coming on and making an impact, just before the hour mark, sustained pressure and repeated penalties finally paid as Rayn Smid crashed over.
Just minutes later we were in again as Luke Daniels was on the end of potentially our score of the season. From inside our own 22, Jordan Burns spotted a gap at the ruck and burst through it. He got up to the halfway line before being tackled and recycling well. Shingler then put out a beautiful two-man miss pass to release Luke Daniels to run in unopposed.
After seeing this superb free flowing play, the forwards decided to return to their bread and butter, the rolling maul. In the space of five minutes, Malton picked up a brace, both on the back of the maul as we pulled away from the hosts.
With five minutes to go, a strong box-kick and chase saw us regain possession. Will Davis spotted a gap which he almost was able to get his 120kg frame through! Although he was just pulled down he was able to offload to Burns who ran in under the sticks.
With the full-time whistle approaching, Scottish went in search of their bonus point score, but our defence stood firm.
Full-time score: London Scottish 21-57 Ealing Trailfinders
T: Penalty Try 2′, Shingler 12′, Tizzano 18′, Maddison 38′, Smid 58′, Daniels 61′, Maulton 67′, 71′, Burns 76′
C: Willis 19′, 38′, 59′, 68′, 77
Ealing Trailfinders made it five wins from five in 2022/23 with a 56-19 win over Richmond.
In what was a fairly error stricken encounter, both sides took their time to build into the game as poor handling seemed to halter any momentum that was building.
However, on the 12th minute, we managed to get ourselves on the scoreboard as Rayn Smid cut a beautiful line and ran home from 25 metres without a finger even being laid on him.
This score galvanised Trailfinders, and five minutes later we were in again. A strong rolling maul came up just short, but the forwards did well to recycle the ball. Strong ball carrying in the midfield managed to pull in all the defenders, before the ball then went wide and Luke Daniels dotted down in the corner.
Richmond answered back with a try of their own but we were quick to score again soon after. A strong rolling maul almost made it to the line, but Craig Hampson spotted a small gap and sniped to grab our third of the afternoon. This made the half-time score: Ealing Trailfinders 21-7 Richmond.
As the second half got underway, there was one man who was determined to get his name on the scoreline. Our top scorer, Carlo Tizzano came in with an absolutely superb finish in the corner to secure the bonus point, before grabbing another seven minutes later, on the back of the maul five minutes later. This sandwiched a Richmond score by their captain Mark Bright.
As the hour mark approached, we managed to score two more tries in as many minutes. First, Bobby De Wee muscled over from close range, before Jordan Burns spotted a gap around the fringes and managed to skate in from 30 metres out.
The final 20 minutes of the game saw a few errors creep in to our game and Richmond were able to capitalise, with Paul Kiernan dotting down with five minutes to go.
Ealing were determined however not to let this be the final score of the game. Another penalty from the scrum, which was dominant all afternoon, saw us with a line out inside their 22. The rolling maul started 20 metres out and quickly gained steam. Five metres out it was cynically pulled down by Richmond and the referee was immediately under the posts to award a penalty try.
With the clock in the red, Richmond were hunting for their bonus point try, but our defence stood firm and that was full-time.
Although it wasn’t necessarily a full 80 minute performance, another half century on the scoreboard for the second week running cannot be sniffed at.
It is the first reserve week of the season next week, but we will be back in action in a fortnight at the Richmond Athletic Ground as we face London Scottish.
Ealing Trailfinders 56 – Richmond 19
T: Rayn Smid 12th, Luke Daniels 16th, Craig Hampson 30th, Carlo Tizzano 47th, 54th, Bobby De Wee 59th, Jordan Burns 60th, Penalty Try 78th
C: Steven Shingler 12th, 16th, 30th, 47th, 54th, 59th, 60th
A dominant eight-try performance away at Coventry saw Ealing Trailfinders climb to the top of the Championship table.
A brace from Jonah Holmes and a superb defensive display saw the Trailfinders finish the first four games with maximum points and will complete this first block of games at home next weekend as we welcome Richmond to Trailfinders Sports Club.
In recent weeks, Trailfinders have perhaps been slightly slow out of the blocks, but that was not the case this weekend. Within the first five minutes a well worked move allowed Max Bodilly to slice through the Coventry defence and glide to the try-line. Craig Willis slotted the conversion and Ealing were up and running.
After the fast start, Coventry were looking to reset and slowly build into the game by keeping the ball tight and launching their attack through set-piece. On the quarter of an hour mark they looked to go wide on the back of their line-out. The winger ran into Holmes and within an instance the Welsh international had stripped the ball and was running the try in from 70m out. He dotted down under the sticks without anyone laying a finger on him and it was 0-14 in a many minutes.
With a healthy lead, the shackles were off and next came potentially the best try of the day. Slick handling on the half-way line eventually released Holmes through a gap before offloading to Reuben Bird-Tulloch who was next to get his name on the scoresheet.
It took only 32 minutes to wrap up the bonus point, as the forwards drew in the numbers in the centre of the park, allowing the ball to be spun wide. Willis strolled in the four score, with an extras two men queuing up outside of him. He converted his own try to make it 100% off the tee in the first half as Trailfinders went in 0-28 up at the break.
The second half started in a very similar fashion to the first, with a really impressive score. More intricate handling put Luke Daniels into space who drew the final man before putting Holmes into the corner for his second.
It was just after the 50 minute mark that Coventry got their first try as they broke off from a rolling maul five metres out and managed to bundle over in the corner.
Ealing responded almost immediately, with a rolling maul try of our own as Shaun Malton went over from 10 metres out. The forward dominance continued 15 minutes later, as a five metre scrum powered the hosts backwards, allowing Jordan Burns to dot down for his second in as many weeks.
With the clock in the red, Ealing went in search of the half century. An expansive passage of play eventually saw Carlo Tizzano claim the loose ball. The league’s top try-scorer was tap tackled 10m out, but managed to get back to his feet and dive over the line to take his total for the season to five.
Full-time score: Coventry 5-50 Ealing Trailfinders
Coventry 5 – 50 Ealing Trailfinders
T: Bodilly (5th min), Holmes (14th, 43rd min), Bird-Tulloch (24th min), Willis (34th min), Malton (56th min), Burns (70th min), Tizzano (80th min)
C: Willis (5th, 15th, 26th, 34th, 80th min)
After a tough first hour, Ealing Trailfinders were able to pull away superbly in the final quarter scoring six tries in to run out 42-7 winners.
The game started slowly, with both sides making errors which were stifling their momentum. After the first 20 minutes, Hartpury were probably looking the slightly better of the two teams but it remained scoreless.
This soon changed however. Managing to steal the ball at the line-out, Ealing moved it quickly to the centre of the field. With the forwards making some good in-roads Trailfinders were getting quick ball and spotting a gap, Carlo Tizzano took his moment. The open-side made five metres before rounding the final defender and diving over for his third score of the season.
Just as Ealing were looking to add another, Hartpury managed to score against the run of play, with Matthew McNab dotting down underneath the sticks. Making the half-time score Ealing Trailfinders 7-7 Hartpury.
The second 40 started in a very similar fashion to the first, scrappy and error-stricken.
As the half went on, Ealing built into the contest and just before the hour mark, Tizzano popped up with his second score, this time on the back of an incredibly strong rolling maul.
This rolling maul proved to be a constant thorn in Hartpury’s side, as both Jimmy Roots and, Trailfinders Rugby Academy Product, Cam Terry crashed over on the back of the maul in the closing stages.
With five minutes to go, it appeared like the scoring was done for the day, but David Johnston and Jordan Burns had other ideas. First Johnston scored on the back of a free-flowing move after Dan Lancaster had thrown a beautiful miss pass on his Trailfinders debut.
A minute later, Burns spotted a gap around the fringes of the ruck and used his pace to run in his score from 20m out on his return from injury. His score put the gloss on top of a strong second-half performance, making the full-time score Ealing Trailfinders 42-7 Hartpury.
The Bread Street Café Player of the Match was awarded to tenacious flanker Carlo Tizzano following his powerful two try performance. To watch Carlo’s post-match interview click here.
To watch Director of Rugby Ben Ward’s post-match interview click here.
Ealing Trailfinders next home fixture is against local rivals Richmond on Saturday 8th October (click here for tickets).
Ealing Trailfinders 42 – Hartpury University 7
T: Tizzano 21’, 55’, Roots 68’, Terry 75’, Johnston 79’, Burns 80′
C: Shingler 21’, 55’, 68’, 75’, 79’, 80’
Ealing Trailfinders secured a hard-fought 17-32 bonus point win over Ampthill.
Following last Saturday’s impressive 29-10 win over Doncaster, Ben Ward’s team arrived at Dillingham Park with plenty of confidence and determination to make it two wins from two in season 2022/23.
The Green and Whites shot out of the blocks in the fifth minute with hooker Jan-Henning Campher barging his way over the line from close range. Craig Willis missed his conversion but Ealing had the early 0-5 lead.
Despite losing a man to the sin-bin after 15 minutes, Ampthill nearly crossed for their first try of the match four minutes later. They broke through the Ealing defence and were powering to the line but their offload fumbled to the ground. Ealing took full advantage of the mistake with flanker Will Montgomery charging through the Ampthill defence three minutes later to score from 25 metres out. Willis slotted the conversion and the visitors extended the lead to 0-12.
The home side were always going to be a tricky opponent, especially on their home deck, and this showed in the 38th minute as they neatly kicked ahead, collected the ball and crossed in the corner. The try was unconverted, but ‘The Mob’ were building momentum and confidence heading into half-time.
Half-Time Score: Ampthill 5 – Ealing Trailfinders 12
It only took a minute of the second half for Ampthill to strike once more and level the scores. Winger Ben Cambriani broke free down his wing to cross for Ampthill’s second try. Tom Hardwick slotted the conversion and suddenly the scores were locked at 12-12.
In what was turning into a highly contested battle, Trailfinders soon found themselves with the opportunity to creep back in front. Winning the scrum penalty, club skipper Steven Shingler stepped up to take the kick at goal. His attempt sailed through the uprights and Ealing were back in front, 12-15 with 20 minutes remaining.
Trailfinders’ replacement hooker Shaun Malton was then yellow carded for not rolling away in the ruck but this inspired Ealing to build attacking momentum. They defended their line, winning the turnover and then working the ball back in Ampthill territory. With the clock ticking over 63 minutes, scrum-half Craig Hampson broke free from the base of the ruck before offloading to a rampaging Simon Uzokwe who crossed near the posts. Shingler added the extras and Ealing were out to a 12-22 lead.
The hosts returned fire ten minutes later to reduce the deficit to 17-22 but Trailfinders again responded. Australian flanker Carlo Tizzano, who replaced Pat Howard at inside centre, sliced through the Ampthill defence in the 74th minute to secure the bonus point try. Shingler kicked the conversion and Ben Ward’s side led 17-29.
With the clock ticking into the red, Ealing then won the penalty directly in front of the posts. Shingler stepped up and slotted the kick to cement the hard-fought 17-32 victory.
To watch Ben Ward’s post-match interview click here. Tickets are on sale for Saturday’s Championship fixture against Hartpury University at Trailfinders Sports Club (KO 3pm). Click here to purchase tickets.
Full-Time Score: Ampthill 17 – Ealing Trailfinders 32
Tries: Jan-Henning Campher (5th min), Will Montgomery (25th min), Simon Uzokwe (63rd min), Carlo Tizzano (74th min)
Conversions: Craig Willis (25th min), Steven Shingler (63rd min, 74th min)
Penalties: Steven Shingler (55th min, 80th min)
Today’s game was understandably overshadowed by much bigger events, but both sides and sets of supporters were able to come together for a minute’s silence to mourn the loss of HM Queen Elizabeth II at the start of the match.
When the game kicked-off, it got going almost immediately with Jack Metcalf and James Cordy Redden making good early breaks down each wing. Doncaster must be credited however for their impressive scramble defence to keep the scoreboard at bay in the early stages.
As the quarter of the hour mark approached, both sides begun to ease into the game, with Trailfinders looking the stronger but failing to get any points to show for it.
This changed five minutes later. After a strong passage of build-up play, Ealing set up camp inside the Doncaster 22. With a three-on-three out wide, Craig Willis called for the ball and looked to put in one of his men out wide. The Knights closed off all his available passing options, so Willis put his head down and was bundled over by his teammates. The conversion out wide was missed and so it was a five-point game.
The visitors didn’t take long to reply, with George Simpson scoring underneath the posts just eight minutes later and Sam Olver adding the extras.
The rest of the half saw the ball spent mainly in the air, with both sides adopting the up-and-under to gain territory. Then on the stroke of the interval, Ealing made a great break down the left. George Simpson cynically infringed at the breakdown. He was shown a yellow card and Craig Willis slotted the penalty in front of the sticks.
Half-Time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 8-7 Doncaster Knights
After the Ealing Trailfinders Foundation showcased their girls sports day on the pitch at half-time, the second-half got underway. It was a lightning start which almost saw the West-Londoners score within 30 seconds of the restart.
Although Trailfinders didn’t manage to make it over then, they did manage to score just eight minutes later. Jonah Holmes picked up a loose ball deep inside his half and managed to beat the first man. He then burst through another tackle and sidestepped the final man. It looked as if he was going to score a wonder try, but a cruel tap tackle just prevented him from doing so. Ealing stayed patient however, and Willis put in a delightful cross-field kick which Rayn Smid superbly plucked out of the air to score.
Less than 10 minutes after that, Ealing were in again. A strong rolling maul inside Doncaster’s 22 put the pack in a good position. We then spun it wide and Willis delightfully delayed the pass to put Metcalf in under the posts on his competitive debut.
With 20 minutes to go Doncaster looked to have the momentum, but Ealing did well to restrict them to only one penalty.
With the clock in the red, Ealing were in desperate search of a fourth score and the try bonus point. After failing to score initially, the team recycled and Carlo Tizzano popped up on his debut to dot down underneath the sticks and complete the victory.
Full-Time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 29-10 Doncaster Knights
Ealing Trailfinders:
Tries: Willis 20’, Smid 48’, Metcalf 56’, Tizzano 80’
Conversions: Willis 48’, 56’, 80’
Penalties: Willis 40+1’
Doncaster Knights:
Tries: Simpson 28’
Conversions: Olver 28’
Penalties: Olver 59’
Yellow Card: Simpson 40’
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