Ealing Trailfinders vs Coventry

Ealing Trailfinders needed a try two minutes from time from substitute Luke Daniels to ensure that they ended the day with their unbeaten home record intact after an enthralling encounter against a fired-up Coventry side.

With the clock ticking down Coventry led by a point, but Daniels rounded Coventry’s Scott Hamilton and Dominic Lespierre to ensure that Ealing Trailfinders’ best crowd of the season left having watched their side finish the match with all five points on offer.

Following a feisty opening, Coventry fly-half Matt Jones opened the scoring when he slotted a penalty after three minutes, but Ealing Trailfinders showed their attacking intentions soon afterwards when Will Harries led a counter-attack that finished when Phil Chesters was tackled into touch after Coventry’s Dan Rundle had raced across from his opposite wing.

A few phases later though the home team took the lead. Not for the first time this season, Llewelyn Jones caught a lineout and flanker Arthur Ellis was driven over.

As Ealing Trailfinders increased their pressure Chris Kinloch was stopped by on-loan Leicester Tigers fullback Scott Hamilton, but when the ball went to the other wing Coventry infringed and once again Ellis was driven over from the resulting lineout.

Jones tried his luck with a penalty from over the halfway line and along with his halfback partner Wayne Evans and the pace of Hamilton at fullback, Coventry were happy to keep the ball in hand as much as possible.

It was symptomatic of a free-flowing match and Coventry continued to play their part with a counter-attack of their own, but Chesters turned the tables on Rundle when he stopped his opposite number from breaking clear.

The visitors did break through just before halftime, when Will Hurrell controlled a loose pass to round off an attacking move with a flourish in the corner. It set up a frantic few minutes before the break in which both teams tries their luck, but Ealing Trailfinders scored their third from another catch and drive after Coventry infringed and the referee awarded a penalty try that Ben Ward converted.

Coventry started the second half in determined mood and would have closed the gap, but for a double Llewelyn Jones tackle. Eventually they opened the scoring when Jones landed his second penalty of the match.

Luke Daniels came off the bench and quickly became put in a try-stopping tackle on Hamilton. However, just past the hour mark Coventry took the lead when the referee awarded a penalty try that Jones converted.

As the clock ran down neither side was able to find a way through two well-drilled defences until Wardingley put Daniels into space down the right hand side and the Port Elizabeth native rounded Dom Lespierre and Hamilton to dot down, with Ward adding the extras.

By now Coventry were down to 13 players as more and more of their side picked up knocks, but it didn’t stop them chancing their arm. However, it was Daniels who had the last word in an absorbing match that was a great advert for National 1 rugby.

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Andy Reay, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Tom Smallbone, Matt Thompson, Nathan Buck, Paul Spivey, Llewelyn Jones, Red Pennycook, Arthur Ellis, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Kevin Davis, Alex Penny, Carwyn Jones, Anders Nilsson, Luke Daniels

Coventry
Scott Hamilton, Dan Rundle, Mark Hodgkiss, Rob Knox, Will Hurrell, Matt Jones, Wayne Evans (captain), Andy Brown, Matt Price, Adam Parkins, Tom Poole, Scott Morgan, Danny Wright, Alex Woodburn, Sam Pailor
Reserves
Jake Farnworth, Chad Thorne, Loti Molitika, Callum MacBurnie, Dominic Lespierre

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Ellis 11, 21, penalty 38, Daniels 78), Conversions (Ward 39, 78)
Coventry
Tries (Hurrell 36, penalty 65), Conversions (Jones 65), Penalties (Jones 3, 52)

STORM Watches Man of the Match – Sam Wardingley
Referee – Fergus Kirby
Attendance – 1, 024

Fylde vs Ealing Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders survived a strong test of their promotion credentials by running in six tries away to a well-drilled and dangerous Fylde side.

After the opening exchanges it was the Ealing Trailfinders pack that seized the initiative. After they won a penalty from a scrum, Ben Ward kicked to the corner, Paul Spivey caught the lineout and Red Pennycook was driven over to open the scoring.

When Fylde went on the attack with their lineout, good defence by Llewelyn Jones and Anders Nilsson kept their attacking intentions at bay and when there was a chance to run clear the backline gave Will Harries the chance to take play up to the halfway line.

However Fylde were soon back in the Ealing Trailfinders half and twice a Gareth Rawlings catch from a lineout allowed the hosts to build a driving maul that took them close to the visitors’ line. On the third Paul Spivey was yellow carded, but the lineout was long and Harries again ran the danger clear.

It allowed Ealing Trailfinders to clear into the Fylde half and after building pressure through some sharp off-loading and powerful carries, Arthur Ellis got his hands on the ball and darted through a gap for his 22nd try of the season.

Chris Kinloch came close to adding a third before he was bundled into touch, but soon after Nathan Buck was driven over from a lineout to put Ealing Trailfinders in touching distance of the bonus point after 30 minutes.

The next score came from the hosts though after they had built pressure through the middle of the visitors defence. Scott Rawlings punched a hole in the defence and when scrum-half Ryan De La Harpe passed the ball away smartly it soon made its way into the hands of wing Jordan Dorrington who dotted down in the corner.

Phil Chesters was then held up in the corner, but on the stroke of halftime, Ellis collected a deft offload from Jones to score between the posts to secure the bonus point.

It took the second half a little time to come alive, but Sam Wardingley sparked it into life when he spotted a gap in the Fylde defence and used his pace to break through. He was unable to set Chesters free outside him, but it meant that Ealing Trailfinders had good field position and Ward kept the scoreboard ticking over with a penalty.

Fylde continued to keep the ball in hand and play good rugby when they had the chance. Dorrington and his opposite wing Oli Brennand showed a good turn of pace and while their lineout maintained their supply of possession, they were unable to find a way through the visitors’ defence.

The next score came from Ealing Trailfinders after Phil Chesters rounded off a well-worked try having been set free after Alex Penny, Ellis and Kinloch linked up in a flowing move between forwards and backs.

Fylde captain Evan Stewart powered through to score the hosts’ second try, but it was the visitors who had the final say when Luke Daniels cut a strong line from a backs move to round off a clinical performance from the league leaders.

Fylde
Warren Spragg, Jordan Dorrington, Ralph Dowds, Scott Rawlings, Oli Brennand, Chris Johnson, Ryan De La Harpe; Dan Birchall, Danny Maher, Adam Lewis, Simon Griffiths, Gareth Rawlings, Mark Goodman, Ben Vernon, Evan Stewart
Reserves
Tom Lavelle, Tom Burtonwood, David Fairbrother, Greg Nicholls, Paul Arnold

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Andy Ready, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Jamie Kilbane, Matt Thompson, Nathan Buck, Paul Spivey, Llewelyn Jones, Red Pennycook, Arthur Ellis, Anders Nilsson
Reserves
Kevin Davis, Alex Penny, Dave Lyons, Alex Bradley, Luke Daniels

Referee – Lyr Ap-Geraint Roberts

Tynedale vs Ealing Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders returned from their trip to the north-east with all five points on offer and so retain their nine-point lead at the top of National 1.

Phil Chesters ran in a hat-trick and Arthur Ellis and Luke Daniels all crossed the whitewash to quell a fired up Tynedale who are battling hard to avoid relegation.

It was the home side who opened the stronger of the two sides and who controlled the early stages. They were particularly strong in the lineout and showed their strength there with an early catch and drive.

Tynedale wing Oli Foster had the Ealing Trailfinders defence scrambling to clear after a kick and chase, but eventually the visitors’ composure shone through after the early onslaught and when Arthur Ellis swept on a loose lineout, the backline was set running and Chesters finished off the move in the corner.

It set up a good period for Ealing Trailfinders and Llewelyn Jones and Paul Spivey both kept up the momentum with strong carries. Then from a lineout catch and drive Ellis peeled off the side to add another try to his tally for the season.

The hosts reacted with a concerted period of pressure and after twice coming close they made the breakthrough when 36-year-old prop Mike Southern dummied on the line and nipped through a half-yard of space to dot down for a deserved score.

Again the momentum swung back in Ealing Trailfinders’ favour and on the stroke of halftime Daniels broke the Tynedale defence and accelerated away to dive over in the corner.

Immediately after the break Daniels broke through the Tynedale defence and when Chesters popped up on his shoulder a simple pass allowed the wing to run in his second of the match.

It spurred the hosts into action and they enjoyed a long period in which they dominated both territory and possession. After hammering the Ealing Trailfinders line, flanker Dan Temm picked a strong line through the defence and dived between the posts for a try that flyhalf Matt Outson converted.

Ealing Trailfinders responded straight from kick off when Llewelyn Jones gathered the ball and went on the attack. After attacking to the right, the ball came back to the left where Chesters had a simple run in to complete his hattrick.

Again Tynedale took a grip on proceedings and when hooker Dave Nelson scored in the corner the belief that they could earn a four-try bonus point flooded through the team and they were in the ascendancy till the final whistle.

Ealing Trailfinders defence stood firm though and at the final whistle it was the visitors who had achieved their aims for the day.

Scorers
Tynedale
Tries (Southern 35, Temms 49), Conversions (Outson 49)
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Chesters 10, 42, 51 Ellis 26, Daniels 40), Conversions (Daniels 10, 42)

Tynedale
Jack Harrison, Oli Foster, Ben Frankland, Will Miller, Peter Weightman, Matt Outson, Dan Taylor; Sam White, Dave Nelson, Alex Westgarth, Andrew Buist (captain), Glenn Young, Dan Temm, Matt Charters, Scott Powell
Reserves
Louis Frankland, Pete Southern, Joe Mills, Adam King, Dan Marshall

Ealing Trailfinders
Luke Daniels, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Tom Wheatcroft, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Jamie Kilbane, Matt Thompson, Nathan Buck, Paul Spivey, Carwyn Jones, Llewelyn Jones, Arthur Ellis, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Kevin Davis, Alex Penny, Dave Lyons, Anders Nilsson, Will Harries

Referee – Matthew O’Grady

Macclesfield vs Ealing Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders returned from their trip to Cheshire with all five points on offer to stretch their lead at the top of National 1 to nine points from their nearest promotion rivals Rosslyn Park.

The match was a catch up after original fixture on 21 January was postponed following heavy snowfall on the Priory Park ground.

It didn’t take long for Ben Ward’s team to take control and open the scoring. After taking an early grip on the match their early pressure was rewarded when Luke Daniels sped free down the right wing.

Tom Brown and Paul Spivey kept up the early dominance with powerful runs through the Macclesfield defence and the second try followed soon after when following slick hands from both forwards and backs Llewelyn Jones popped a delicate pass to Arthur Ellis, who had a simple run into the line.

Ellis then doubled his tally when he swooped on a loose ball after Brown had done well to control a scrum that was threatening to break up.

The visitors’ dominance continued and it was Ward who brought up the bonus point by being first to his own grubber kick. Minutes later he turned provider when Chris Kinloch caught his cross-kick

Phil Chesters rounded off the first half by dotting down in the corner and then nearly repeated the trick early on in the second, but was unable to take Ward’s cross-kick cleanly.

Macclesfield came out with renewed vigour and soon threatened the Ealing Trailfinders defence with some quick ball to their backs. Wing Josh Fowles stood poised to round off a flowing, attacking move, but knocked on at the vital moment.

Nonetheless the hosts continued to find their rhythm and centre Sam Jones shook off two defenders to race home for a try that Tom Eaton converted. Soon after Fowles broke clear again and Chesters had to be alert to stop him close to the line.

With an hour gone Ealing Trailfinders returned to scoring ways. Ellis broke the line and Alex Walker popped up on his should to scoot home from the 22. It may have signalled the end to the scoring, but as the match continued to open up both sides continued to play with ambition, though without quite putting the gloss on impressive build-up play.

Scorers
Macclesfield
Tries (James 49), Conversions (Eaton 49)
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Daniels 4, Ellis 12, 19, Ward 25, Kinloch 31, Chesters 39, Walker 59), Conversions (Daniels 12, 19, 25, 39, 59)

Macclesfield
Greg Newton, Josh Fowles, Oli Fewtrell, Sam James, Matt King, Tom Eaton, Jordan Brookes (captain); Marshall Gadd, Matt Thorp, Will Robinson, Dave Marwick, Ben Jones, Phil Williams, Liam Parfitt, Francis Barker
Reserves
Sam Moss, Elliot Millar-Mills, Jonathan Kenny, Mike Finnemore, Matt O’Regan

Ealing Trailfinders
Luke Daniels, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Tom Wheatcroft, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Tom Smallbone, Matt Thompson, Alex Penny, Paul Spivey, Carwyn Jones, Llewelyn Jones, Arthur Ellis, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Kevin Davis, Nathan Buck, Dave Lyons, Anders Nilsson, Andy Reay

Referee – Jamie Leahy
Attendance – 295

Ealing Trailfinders vs Darlington Mowden Park

Ealing Trailfinders maintained their 100 percent home record when they ran in five tries to take the full five points on offer against a side that had pushed them hard earlier in the season.

Just as they were at the Northern Echo Arena, Darlington Mowden Park were a scrappy team who put pressure on through the forwards and liked to give their backs the chance to run the ball when the opportunities arose.

It meant that the five-try bonus point was still in the balance with 10 minutes remaining before Luke Daniels late score ensured the full compliment.

Soon after kickoff Darlington Mowden Park were reduced to 14 men when second row Ben Gledhill was yellow-carded for retaliation and Andy Reay, Ronnie McLean and Will Harries all used the numerical advantage to test the DMP defence.

Despite being a man down DMP sought to keep the ball in hand and allow their young and pacey backline the chance to attack, while halfbacks Sam Stuart and Grant Connon were happy to play on the gain line.

Gledhill was still in the bin when Ben Rath raced the length of the pitch for a try that Connon converted, but Ealing Trailfinders used their forwards to establish territorial dominance and after backs and forwards linked up, Reay popped the ball to Llewelyn Jones who ran home.

The second try arrived soon after through the well-rehearsed catch and drive route when Anders Nilsson caught the lineout and then dropped on the ball when the pack crossed the line.

Connon knocked over a penalty to close out the first half and then almost started the second in the same manner, but pushed his effort wide.

From then on Ealing Trailfinders established their grip on the match and while Alex Bradley marked his return to full fitness with a try, the team were unable to capitalise on good field positions.

In the end it was DMP who scored next when wing Tom Kill raced free down the left wing and while Ealing Trailfinders maintained their pressure Darlington Mowden Park’s defence stood firm.

They finally made the breakthrough with less than 10 minutes remaining when Daniels picked a strong line off Will Harries’ run. Daniels then turned provider when he released Phil Chesters to add a gloss to the scoreline and deny the visitors a losing bonus point.

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Llewelyn Jones 21, Nilsson 26, Bradley 47, Daniels 74, Chesters 77), Conversions (Daniels 21, 47)
Darlington Mowden Park
Tries (Rath 10, Kill 60), Conversions (Connon 10, 60), Penalties (Connon 35)

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Luke Daniels, Ronnie McLean, Andy Reay, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Jamie Kilbane, Andrei Radoi, Nathan Buck, Carwyn Jones, Llewelyn Jones, Danny Kenny, Anders Nilsson, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Kevin Davis, Alex Penny, Paul Spivey, Alex Bradley Nilsson, Chris Kinloch

Darlington Mowden Park
Henry Robinson, Tom Kill, Cameron Mitchell (captain), Garry Law, Ben Rath, Grant Connon, Sam Stuart; Ralph Appleby, Charlie Maddison, Darren Fearn, Ben Gledhill, George Hedgley, Callum Mackenzie, Jack Allcock, Joe Maud
Reserves
Charlie Purkiss-McKendo, Andrew Cox, Tom Larder, Tom Hodgson, Adam Nixon

STORM Watch Man of the Match – Llewelyn Jones
Referee – Gareth Holsgrove
Attendance – 491

Hartpury RFC vs Ealing Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders put in a clinical display to ensure that they left the west country with all five points on offer against Hartpury College, just over a month after they slumped to their second loss of the season down the road in Cinderford.

With Rosslyn Park beating Richmond the previous night Ben Ward’s side knew that they needed to beat a team full of youthful exuberance that have been enjoying their first season in National 1 if they wanted to return to the top of the table. In the end they did so with six tries that ensured they return to top spot with 100 points.

It didn’t take the visitors long to find their rhythm and take control of proceedings; Danny Kenny opened the scoring after eight minutes when he popped up on the end of some slick handling to dive over in the corner.

The pack then began to take control and after they twice tried to power their way over with a caught and driven line-out, on the third referee Fergus Kirby awarded a penalty try after Hartpury College players had infringed once too often.

Despite the early lead, Hartpury College looked more than capable of causing the Ealing Trailfinders problems if their backs had the chance to stretch their legs. Their back three of Ruaridh McConnochie, Steve Reynolds and Jaike Carter were full of pace and attacking endeavour, while centre Steve Leonard showed the type of form that has brought admiring glances from Saracens.

However they were unable to break through the Ealing Trailfinders defence and Luke Daniels kept the scoreboard ticking over with a penalty before Sam Wardingley finished off a flowing move that Daniels had started and Alex Walker and Llewelyn Jones had kept moving.

After half-time Hartpury College returned in rejuvenated mood and enjoyed some attacking forays, though the closest either team came to adding to the score came when Ealing Trailfinders centre Andy Reay nearly danced through to the line.

Eventually Ealing Trailfinders’ pressure paid off when Arthur Ellis was driven over from a catch and drive. It secured the lineout, but moment later he was yellow carded and Hartpury College capitalised fully when hooker William Tanner and flanker Will Safe scored while he was off the field.

Karl Gibson scored his first try of the season when he latched onto another catch and drive and Walker then popped up on Daniels shoulder to score a sixth after the fullback had been set free by slick hands from Kevin Davis.

Hartpury College had the last word when Carter scored their third try and while Gareth Thompson converted it, ultimately Ealing Trailfinders had put it in a strong performance from which they achieved everything they set out to do at the start of the day.

Scorers
Hartpury College
Tries (Tanner 63, Safe 67, Carter 79), Conversions (Thompson 67, 79), Penalties (Thompson 10)
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Kenny 8, Penalty 17, Wardingley 35, Ellis 60, Gibson 72, Walker 77), Conversions (Daniels 18, 36, 61), Penalties (Daniels 30)

Hartpury College
Ruaridh McConnochie, Steve Reynolds, Steve Leonard, Craig Jackson, Jaike Carter, Gareth Thompson, Ben Vellacott; James Gibbons, Chris Fortey, Wayne Thompson, Tom MacDonald, Rob Fuller, Will Safe, Dan Thomas, Lewis Ludlow
Reserves
Will Tanner, Des Merrey, Tim Brockett, Henry Harper, Matt Protheroe

Ealing Trailfinders
Luke Daniels, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Andy Reay, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Jamie Kilbane, Karl Gibson, Nathan Buck, Carwyn Jones, Llewelyn Jones, Danny Kenny, Arthur Ellis, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Kevin Davis, Alex Penny, Paul Spivey, Anders Nilsson, Ronnie McLean

Referee – Fergus Kirby

Ealing Trailfinders vs Esher

Ealing Trailfinders had to work hard to finish with a win against a dogged Esher side who were fully deserving of their losing bonus point.

The hosts ran in four tries, but the intensity of the match was reflected by no points being scored in the final 30 minutes, a period in which defences stayed on top.

Esher started the scoring early on when flyhalf Ian cross landed a well-struck penalty after Ealing Trailfinders were penalised at a lineout.

The visitors kept up their early pressure and Arthur Ellis had to be alert to clear up a chip over from scrumhalf Robbie Shaw. However, they stretched their lead soon after when Cross hit his second penalty.

Ealing Trailfinders hit back immediately when Phil Chesters added another try to his ever-burgeoning tally, but Esher’s determined defence kept the hosts attacking intentions in check.

Nonetheless on their next attacking foray, Chesters again broke free down the left for his second try that Luke Daniels converted.

Esher continued their abrasive approach and number 8 Brandon Walker and prop Cameron Zeiss both came close from driving runs. Daniels then had to be alert to stop centre Jack Cooke from finishing off a backline move, but they earned their reward when Cross landed his third penalty of the match.

Cross didn’t last the match however as soon after he went down heavily and unfortunately had to go off. A minute later Chris Kinloch swooped on a loose ball and linked up with Sam Wardingley who set Daniels free to race home for the hosts’ third try.

The visitors responded through their pack and closed to within one point by halftime after prop Zeiss burrowed over in the corner. Fullback Ali Chisholm took over the kicking duties and kept up Esher’s 100 percent record from the tee with a well-struck conversion from the touchline.

Chisholm put Esher back in front with another well-struck penalty three minutes into the second half, but after Esher were penalised Ben Ward kicked for the corner, Llewelyn Jones won the line out and Ellis was driven over to secure the bonus point.

Ealing Trailfinders managed to work their way on top of proceedings and Ellis, Chesters, Alex Walker and Paul Spivey came close to racing home, but Esher’s focus didn’t let up and in the end defences stayed on top as the clock ticked to the 80 minute mark.

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Chesters 8, 18, Daniels 33, Ellis 46), Conversions (Daniels 19, 47)
Esher
Tries (Zeiss 38), Conversions (Chisholm 38), Penalties (Cross 2, 6, 29, Chisholm 43)

Ealing Trailfinders
Luke Daniels, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Tom Wheatcroft, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Will Davis, Karl Gibson, Nathan Buck, Llewelyn Jones, Gary Johnson, Anders Nilsson, Arthur Ellis, Danny Kenny (captain)
Reserves
Kevin Davis, Alex Penny, Paul Spivey, Tom Brown, Ronnie McLean

Esher
Ali Chisholm, Harry Lightfoot-Brown, Jack Cooke, Tom Bedford, Spencer Sutherland, Ian Cross, Robbie Shaw; Ollie Mines, Neil Sweeney, Cameron Zeiss, Peter Daly, Ian Kench (captain), Cameron Gentles, Peter Synnott, Brandon Walker
Reserves
Liam Nicholls, David Millard, George Drye, Joe McManus, Tom Chalcraft

STORM Watches Man of the Match – Danny Kenny
Referee – Phil Davies
Attendance – 354

Ealing Trailfinders vs Richmond

Ealing Trailfinders recovered from the loss to Cinderford a week ago by running in nine tries against their rivals from across Kew Bridge in a 99-point clash.

It didn’t take long for Ealing Trailfinders to take the lead. Ben Ward kicked a penalty to touch and while the initial catch and drive was stopped, Alex Walker spotted a gap on the blind side, scooted through it and gave Phil Chesters a simple run in for a try that Ward converted.

Richmond hit back immediately and showed their ambition to keep the ball in hand. James Falconer nearly escaped through a gap and while they came again fullback Rob Kirby missed the chance to add to his 184 points this season by kicking his penalty wide.

The hosts made them pay in emphatic fashion by running in their second try. Tom Wheatcroft led a counter-attack and when the ball was recycled Will Harries set Chesters free on the left-wing for his second in less than 10 minutes,

In response Chris Davies led a Richmond charge into Ealing Trailfinders’ 22, but with the line at his mercy Walker made a vital cover tackle. However, when the ball was recycled his opposite number Jordan Burns outpaced the cover defence to score in the corner.

Again Ealing Trailfinders responded with another try as Luke Daniels used his pace to escape the Richmond defence. Three minutes later Walker secured the bonus point when he popped up on Harries’ shoulder after the Welsh duo had led a counter-attack from deep.

The scoring continued apace as the first half drew on. First Richmond flanker Jamie Thompson flopped on a spilled ball after the visitors had opted to drive a lineout, but from the restart Chesters caught the kickoff to secure his hattrick.

Tom Shaw scored in a similar fashion to his fellow flanker, but again Ealing Trailfinders scored from kickoff as Gary Johnson caught the restart and held off two tacklers to crash over the line.

The second half started with the same pace as the first and Tom Wheatcroft kept the scoring rate high when he wiggled over the line with only three minutes gone. Daniels took over the kicking duties from Ward and made no mistake with his first attempt.

Walker scored his second after Will Davis had broken the Richmond defence with a clever line. He then wrapped up his hattrick when he raced off the back of the scrum after Richmond wing James Kyle had been yellow carded.

The visitors stiffened their resolve and Matt Keville rounded off a flowing move in the corner to bring up the bonus point, while substitute Chris Surman slotted the conversion from the sideline.

The score enlivened the visitors and Harries needed to react quickly to stop Richmond number 8 as he threatened to step through for another try soon after. However, Burns scored his second of the match when he was reacted first to when the ball shot out the back of a scrum and then moments later former Ealing Trailfinders Rory Damant found a gap to go over.

Surman landed the conversion and while Ealing Trailfinders ended the match on the attack there was no more scoring to come from a remarkable 80 minutes of rugby.

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Luke Daniels, Sam Wardingley, Tom Wheatcroft, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Jamie Kilbane, Karl Gibson, Alex Penny, Carwyn Jones, Gary Johnson, Redford Pennycook, Arthur Ellis, Anders Nilsson
Reserves
Will Davis, Nathan Buck, Paul Spivey, Tom Brown, Chris Kinloch

Richmond
Rob Kirby, James Kyle, Jamie Falconer, Matt Keville, Robert Alexander, Rory Damant, Jordan Burns; Tim Walford, Ignacio Corradi, Ian Williams, Myles Scott, Chris Davies, Tom Shaw, Jamie Thompson, Joe Burton
Reserves
Simon Edwards, Stephen Dalton, Henry Cheeseman, Matt Chambers, Chris Surman

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Chesters 2, 9, 29 Daniels 17, Walker 20, 52, 55 Johnson 33, Wheatcroft 43), Conversions (Ward 2, 10, 17, 20, 29, 34, Daniels 44, 53, 56)
Richmond
Tries (Burns 14, 71, Thompson 28, Shaw 32, Keville 63, Damant 73), Conversions (Kirby 28, Surman 64, 73)

STORM Watches Man of the Match- Alex Walker
Referee – Philip Davies
Attendance – 849

Cinderford vs Ealing Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders slipped to only their second defeat of the season away to Cinderford, but managed to run in four tries and had the consolation of at least leaving with two bonus points.

The second from bottom club deserved a victory that mixed determined play with some moments of verve and inspiration, while the four points allowed them to climb out of the relegation places.

Ealing Trailfinders didn’t wait around to go on the attack and after pinching the first lineout Chris Kinloch and Llewelyn Jones both attacked the line with relish. The pack also stamped their authority on the scrum by winning a penalty against the head at the first, but despite kicking to the corner, their rolling maul was stopped by the Cinderford defence.

For the first 15 minutes both teams failed to take capitalise on good possession, with the sides camped either side of the halfway line as passes failed to reached their intended target and scrums a regular feature as both sides knocked on.

Cinderford number 8 Dan Fry nearly ended the monotony when he broke the Ealing Trailfinders defence with a pick up from a scrum that preceded a charge down the blind-side. However a couple of phases on there was another knock on and the forwards packed down for another scrum.

Second row Mike Walker-Fitton eventually opened the scoring with 18 minutes on the clock. Tom Brown won a line-out, Andy Reay and Arthur Ellis pushed the defence back and eventually the second row had the relatively straightforward job of crashing over from close range.

The score opened the match up and Cinderford went on the attack but again Ealing Trailfinders’ pack proved to be too strong at the scrum and the quick hands allowed the visitors pack to run out the danger.

They came again though and despite Reay and Ben Ward making important tackles centre Sam Hanks managed to cross in the corner for a try that fly-half James Moffatt converted.

Ealing Trailfinders retook the lead after Phil Chesters scored in the corner following a sniping break from Alex Walker and the wing nearly broke away after the backline ran the ball from their own 22 only for Cinderford fullback Mike Wilcox to get back and snuff out the danger.

Moffat scored the first points of the second half with a well-struck penalty and then put the hosts back in the lead with another from in front of the posts following a period in which they attacked the Ealing Trailfinders line with gusto.

Tom Brown powered over from a rolling maul, but the hosts responded immediately after Wilcox chipped the defence and off-loaded to Hanks who had a simple run in for his second.

The see-saw nature of the match continued when Brown added another try to his burgeoning tally from the back of a driving lineout and with Ward landing his first conversion of the day Ealing Trailfinders were back ahead with 10 minutes remaining.

Once again though the hosts responded in emphatic fashion and from a catch and drive the referee awarded a penalty try that Moffat had no problem converting and despite Ealing Trailfinders pounding the Cinderford line they were unable to break through as the clock ran down.

Scorers
Cinderford
Tries (Hanks 30, 59, penalty 73), Conversions (Moffat 31, 60, 73), Penalties (Moffat 43, 53)
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Walker-Fitton 17, Chesters 35, Brown 47, 67), Conversions (Ward 67)

Cinderford
Mike Wilcox (captain), Nev Codlin, Sam Hanks, Jack Adams, Stef Hawley, James Moffat, Clive Stuart-Smith; Chris Bundy, Sam Wilkes, Jake Caulfield, Roger Birkin, Ed King, George Mills, Marcus Brown, Dan Fry
Reserves
Alex Frame, Joe Smart, Shay Kerry, Sam Underhill, Jack Cosgrove

Ealing Trailfinders
Luke Daniels, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Andy Reay, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Will Davis, Andrei Radoi, Nathan Buck, Carwyn Jones, Michael Walker-Fitton, Llewelyn Jones, Arthur Ellis, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Jamie Kilbane, Alex Penny, Paul Spivey, Red Pennycook, Owen Bruynseels

Referee – Geraint Roberts

Ealing Trailfinders vs Wharfedale

Ealing Trailfinders were in impressive form as they ran in 12 tries against a tricky Wharfedale side to cement their position at the top of National 1.

The visitors showed that they were prepared to play with the ball in hand from the kickoff and twice opted to kick for the corner rather than the posts with two early penalties, but on both occasions Ealing Trailfinders repelled the attack.

A Llewelyn Jones charge through the Wharfedale defence swung the momentum back in the hosts’ favour and soon after Luke Daniels used his pace to escape down the right for his second try in two weeks.

The try put Ealing Trailfinders firmly in control and with strong carrying from Tom Brown and Paul Spivey gaps began to open up in the Wharfedale defence. Tom Wheatcroft nearly ghosted through, but from a catch and driven lineout Arthur Ellis plunged over for his 15th try of the season.

Moments later Daniels and Phil Chesters linked up on the left for the league’s leading scorer to stretch his tally to 19. Four minutes later Daniels picked a sharp line to break the defence and then Ellis latched onto another driving maul for his second.

Despite Ealing Trailfinders’ dominance, Wharfedale managed to capitalise when they had the chance to score. After kicking for a lineout flanker Daniel Solomi broke the line to race away in the corner.

Daniels completed his hattrick when he popped up on Chris Kinloch’s shoulder, but the visitors responded in fine style when they ran a penalty and set Jack Barnard free for a try that Jamie Guy converted on the stroke of halftime.

After the initial exchanges of the second half, Ealing Trailfinders again asserted their dominance and only illegal play stopped Ellis from completing his hattrick of rolling maul tries.

Wharfedale’s Adam Howard and Matt Beesley were both in the sinbin when Brown scored the first of the second half from the back of a scrum and then Chesters took advantage of the extra width to score his second in the corner.

Alex Walker scooted round the back of a rolling maul to stretch the lead further and good link up play between Ellis and his fellow flanker Anders Nilsson ensured that Ealing Trailfinders kept the play in the Wharfedale half from the restart.

The dominance and pressure paid off just after the hour mark when Alex Bradley came off the bench and with his first touch swooped on a loose lineout throw to score Ealing Trailfinders’ 10th try.

Despite the pressure Wharfedale enjoyed a spell when they gained the upper hand and had the home defence scrambling to reorganise. Joshua Prell and Cameron Hudson showed a good turn of pace and scrum-half James Doherty was a sniping presence, but when an attack broke down, Chesters and Will Harries led the counter-attack and Walker was on half to collect the final pass for his second.

Nilsson crashed over from close range to ensure that all four members of the back row finished the day on the scoresheet and while Wharfedale came again, Chris Kinloch led another counter-attack and while he was tackled into touch it brought the curtain down on a thoroughly impressive performance.

Ealing Trailfinders
Luke Daniels, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Tom Wheatcroft, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker, Jamie Kilbane, Karl Gibson, Alex Penny, Paul Spivey, Llewelyn Jones, Anders Nilsson, Arthur Ellis, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Will Davis, Nathan Buck, Steve Pape, Alex Bradley, Will Harries

Wharfedale
Taylor Prell, Lloyd Davies, Cameron Hudson, Tom Davidson, Oliver Cicognini, Jamie Guy, James Doherty (captain); Joe Altham, Dan Stockdale, Jake Armstrong, Adam Howard, Alex Powell, Jack Barnard, Dan Solomi, Josh Burridge
Reserves
Matt Beesely, Ian Larkin, Chris Steel, James Tyson, Joshua Prell

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Daniels 9, 23, 35 Ellis 15, 27 Chester 18, 49 Brown 47, Walker 52, 70, Bradley 62, Nilsson 74), Conversions (Ward 9, 15, 24, 27, 33, 53, 63, 70, 74)
Wharfedale
Tries (Solomi 32, Barnard 39), Conversions (Guy 40)

STORM Watches Man of the Match – Luke Daniels
Attendance – 480
Referee – Rob Warburton

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