Ealing Trailfinders ended their Trailfinders Challenge Cup campaign in perfect fashion with a 40-20 victory over Doncaster Knights.
The Green and Whites scored six tries to ensure that they finished the tournament with four wins from four, and also enjoyed the trophy celebration after the match.
David Johnston, Steven Shingler and James Cannon all crossed the line, but Guy Thompson took the headlines after scoring a hat-trick in an impressive performance.
Ben Ward’s side took the lead with only seven minutes on the clock as they came flying out of the blocks with a try from David Johnston. Jack Tovey, who was back in the starting line-up for the first time in 12 months made a break in the midfield and then from the following phase the ball was spun straight to the Irishman who could stroll over from close range. Steven Shingler added the first of five conversions on an excellent day from the tee.
Former Trailfinder Sam Olver hit straight back for the Knights as they got off the mark with a penalty, but it was the hosts who would continue to dominate the early proceedings and the second try came just before the 20 minute mark.
A penalty was kicked to the corner, and then from the formidable rolling maul Guy Thompson was at the base to score his first of the match. Shingler’s conversion gave his side a 14-3 lead.
Doncaster then enjoyed plenty of possession for the remainder of the half and got their rewards after half an hour as they got their first try of the match.
A succession of penalties saw Will Davis sent to the sin-bin, and then from a five metre lineout George Roberts drove over. Olver’s conversion cut their deficit to just four points.
Both sides had counter attack opportunities in the closing stages of the first half, but neither were able to capitalise, meaning the Trailfinders went down the tunnel at the break with a 14-10 lead.
The hosts made the perfect start to the second half and took the game away from the Knights in the third quarter.
An early penalty was hammered in to the visitors’ 22, and with the maul rumbling towards the line all the backs got involved which made it impossible to stop, and Shingler was able to break away to dive gratefully over the line. He converted his own try which saw the lead grow to 21-10.
Bobby de Wee then became the second Trailfinder to get a yellow card as he was penalised for a deliberate knock on, and as a result Olver kicked another penalty as the Knights looked to chip away at the lead.
The result was put beyond doubt just before the hour mark as Thompson went over for the bonus-point try. Angus Kernohan went within inches of the line but was unable to stretch for the whitewash, however Thompson was next to gather the ball and took full advantage. Another Shingler conversion in the strong wind took the advantage up to 15 points.
James Cannon was next to get in on the act with 10 minutes remaining for try number five. Craig Hampson went on a trademark snipe at the base of the ruck and went close to scoring himself, but then the second-rower stretched over to score a deserved try as the scoreline got some gloss added to it.
A long stoppage then brought the game to a halt, but it sparked in to life in the closing stages with both teams scoring late tries.
Kyle Evans raced clear for the Knights from long range to dive under the posts, but Guy Thompson then completed his hat-trick with the final play of the match from the base of a maul to conclude another very promising day for the men in Green and White.
Shingler’s conversion ended the game and confirmed a 40-20 victory, which was followed by a well deserved trophy lift after a memorable Trailfinders Challenge Cup.
Ealing Trailfinders:
15 David Johnston 14 Luke Daniels (replaced by James Cordy Redden, 65 mins) 13 Jack Tovey 12 Pat Howard (replaced by Craig Willis, 75 mins) 11 Angus Kernohan 10 Steven Shingler 9 Craig Hampson 1 Will Davis 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Shaun Malton, 60mins) 3 Elliot Millar Mills (replaced by Harry Seward, 60 mins) 4 Bobby de Wee (replaced by Ben West, 70 mins) 5 James Cannon 6 Adam Korczyk 7 Guy Thompson 8 Rayn Smid (c)
Replacements:
16 Shaun Malton 17 George Davis 18 Harry Seward 19 Ben West 20 Kieran Murphy 21 Jordan Burns 22 Craig Willis 23 James Cordy Redden
Scorers:
Tries: David Johnston (7 minutes) Guy Thompson (17, 59, 80 minutes) Steven Shingler (43 minutes) James Cannon (67 minutes)
Conversions: Steven Shingler (7, 17, 43, 59, 80 minutes)
Yellow Cards: Will Davis, Bobby de Wee
Doncaster Knights:
15 Tom Bacon 14 Kyle Evans 13 Harry Strong 12 Mark Best 11 Howard Packman 10 Sam Olver 9 James Mitchell 1 Robin Hislop (c) 2 George Roberts 3 Joe Jones 4 Matt Challinor 5 Jerry Sexton 6 Conor Joyce 7 Sam Graham 8 Guido Volpi
Replacements:
16 Conrad Cade 17 Will Holling 18 Gaz Denman 19 Matt Smith 20 John Kelly 21 Sam Pocklington 22 Billy McBryde 23 Charlie Foley
Scorers:
Tries: George Roberts (30 minutes) Kyle Evans (80 minutes)
Conversions: Sam Olver (30, 80 minutes)
Penalties: Sam Olver (10, 51 minutes)
Match Officials:
Referee: Sara Cox
Assistant Referees: Robert Warburton & Gareth Holsgrove
Fourth Official: Nikki O’Donnell
Half Time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 14-10 Doncaster Knights
Trailfinders Challenge Cup Man of the Match: Guy Thompson
Ealing Trailfinders produced a stunning performance at StoneX Stadium to beat Saracens 39-26 in emphatic fashion.
Ben Ward’s side scored five tries en route to one of the best results in the club’s history as they left North London with a win that showed the remarkable progression that the team has made this year.
The win means that if the Green and Whites beat Doncaster Knights in a fortnight they will lift the inaugural Trailfinders Challenge Cup.
Saracens got off to the perfect start and took the lead with just four minutes on the clock. A box kick caused the Trailfinders back-line huge problems, and popped up in to the hands of the centre who had a clear run to the line. Tom Whiteley’s conversion gave the hosts a 7-0 lead.
The Green and Whites then started to grow in to the game and went within inches of opening their account. Dave Johnston broke down-field and then Kyle Whyte carried up to the line but was turned over in the act of scoring. From the following phase a penalty was awarded, and Craig Willis cut the deficit to four points courtesy of his right boot.
Then almost straight from the restart Morris scored his second as Saracens extended their lead. Once again a high box kick was proving difficult to gather, and the ball was spun to him to dive in the corner. The conversion was wide, but they now had a 12-3 advantage.
From then on the Trailfinders dominated the rest of the first half and were well worthy of their lead at the break.
Luke Daniels gathered a cross-field kick and from the next phase Craig Hampson tried to snipe down the short side, but was dragged in to touch.
The pressure was building, and it paid off just before the 30 minute mark as Rayn Smid powered over the line. Pat Howard’s thunderous carry took play within five metres, and the skipper then carried from the base of the ruck and was never going to be stopped from such close range. Willis’ conversion cut the lead to just two points.
Ward’s men then went in front before half time as Will Davis scored for the second week in a row. A penalty was kicked to the corner and the Trailfinders stayed patient by going from side to side, before the prop carried and bundled over in the corner. The conversion went wide, but the Green and Whites now had a 15-12 lead.
Willis had the chance to extend the advantage on the stroke of half time from the tee, but the wind dragged the kick wide and the teams went down the tunnel after a ferocious 40 minutes at StoneX Stadium.
Saracens came out firing in the early stages of the second half and took back the ascendancy of the match. Whiteley missed a penalty almost immediately after the restart, but then from the 22 drop out Rotimi Segun scored a long-range try as they went in front. A break in the wide channels allowed them to draw in the final defender, and then released the winger who sprinted clear. The conversion put the hosts 19-15 ahead.
Dean Hammond then scored a sensational individual try as the Trailfinders went ahead again. From a scrum on half way Craig Hampson spun it to the South African who had four defenders in front of him, and somehow stepped his way through them before putting on the afterburners and sprinting clear to spark wild celebrations on the bench. Willis then converted the try as the visitors went 22-19 in front.
It got even better for the Trailfinders with 15 minutes remaining as they scored their bonus point try. Saracens had a scrum on their own line but the visitors were awarded a penalty. They took it quickly and Pat Howard’s physical carry was too much for the defence as he smashed his way to the line. Willis again added the extras as the lead was extended to 10 points.
More pressure followed and Willis was given another opportunity from the tee, which he made no mistake with as the lead went up to 32-19.
Guy Thompson rounded off the scoring for the visitors as they turned it in to an emphatic victory. The trusted rolling maul was motoring towards the line, and the flanker was at the base to dot down for try number five. Willis’ touchline conversion put his side 20 points ahead.
Kapeli Pifeleti got a consolation try for the hosts as they went over in the final minute to secure a try bonus point, but the day belonged to the Trailfinders who registered a remarkable win to take control of the Trailfinders Challenge Cup.
Saracens:
15 Elliott Obatoyinbo 14 Ben Harris 13 Dom Morris 12 Harry Sloan 11 Rotimi Segun 10 Tom Whiteley 9 Aled Davies 1 Richard Barrington 2 Tom Woolstencroft (c) 3 Vincent Koch 4 Joel Kpoku 5 Callum Hunter-Hill 6 Mike Rhodes 7 Ollie Stonham 8 Janco Venter
Replacements:
16 Kapeli Pifeleti 17 Eroni Mawi 18 Alec Clarey 19 Ethan Benson 20 Toby Knight 21 Alex Day 22 Will Hooley 23 Duncan Taylor
Scorers:
Tries: Dom Morris (4, 16 minutes) Rotimi Segun (43 minutes) Kapeli Pifeleti (79 minutes)
Conversions: Tom Whiteley (4, 43, 79 minutes)
Ealing Trailfinders:
15 David Johnston 14 Luke Daniels (replaced by Jordan Burns, 75 mins) 13 Fraser Strachan 12 Pat Howard 11 Dean Hammond (replaced by Jack Tovey, 55 mins) 10 Craig Willis (replaced by Steven Shingler, 754 mins) 9 Craig Hampson 1 Will Davis 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Shaun Malton, 40 mins) 3 Kyle Whyte (replaced by Harry Seward, 75 mins) 4 Bobby de Wee (replaced by Shane Buckley, 75 mins) 5 James Cannon 6 Kieran Murphy (replaced by Guy Thompson, 60 mins) 7 Adam Korczyk 8 Rayn Smid (c)
Replacements:
16 Shaun Malton 17 George Davis 18 Harry Seward 19 Shane Buckley 20 Guy Thompson 21 Jordan Burns 22 Steven Shingler 23 Jack Tovey
Scorers:
Tries: Rayn Smid (24 minutes) Will Davis (36 minutes) Dean Hammond (51 minutes) Pat Howard (64 minutes) Guy Thompson (76 minutes)
Conversions: Craig Willis (24, 51, 64, 76 minutes)
Penalties: Craig Willis (14, 69 minutes)
Match Officials:
Referee: Mike Hudson
Assistant Referees: Clare Daniels & Simon Adams
Fourth Official: Anthony Woodthorpe
Half Time Score: Saracens 12-15 Ealing Trailfinders:
Trailfinders Challenge Cup Man of the Match: Rayn Smid
Ealing Trailfinders made it two wins from two in the Trailfinders Challenge Cup after an impressive 46-26 victory over Doncaster Knights at Castle Park.
Ben Ward’s side scored seven tries in total and dominated throughout, with James Cordy Redden, Will Davis, Bobby de Wee, Guy Thompson, Craig Hampson, David Johnston and Dean Hammond all crossing the try-line.
Despite the convincing victory, it was the Knights who started strongly and took the lead after just four minutes. The Trailfinders were on the attack but a fumble allowed Tom Bacon to grab the ball and race away from 80 metres out to dive under the posts. Sam Olver’s conversion gave the hosts a 7-0 advantage.
That seemed to galvanise the West Londoners, who went up a level for the remainder of the first half as they took control of the match.
James Cordy Redden marked his return to the starting line-up with a try to get the visitors off the mark with 15 minutes played. Luke Daniels carried to within five metres, and then an overlap on the shortside saw the ball go through the hands quickly to the winger who finished acrobatically in the corner. Craig Willis’ touchline conversion brought his side level.
Will Davis then gave the Trailfinders the lead with a brilliant individual try. The loosehead prop gathered the ball just inside the 22 and bulldozed past his opposite number before showing a turn of pace to stretch to the line. Willis added the extras for a seven point lead.
Bobby de Wee then scored his first try for the club just before the half hour mark as the lead continued to increase. A penalty was kicked to the corner and then from just five metres out the rolling maul powered over with the South African the beneficiary.
Guy Thompson then got the bonus point try before the break from another rolling maul. The set-piece was giving the Trailfinders the ideal platform, and now it was the flanker’s turn to cross the whitewash from close range as the visitors flexed their muscles. Willis’ conversion meant the lead was up to 19, and there was still time for one more try as we approached half time.
In the final play, Mitchell attempted to kick the ball in to touch but Craig Hampson read it and charged it down, with the ball bouncing up perfectly for the scrum-half who could stroll over the line. The conversion from Willis meant that the Green and Whites headed down the tunnel with a 33-7 lead.
Doncaster rallied at the start of the second-half and scored twice in the opening 10 minutes to get themselves back in to the match.
Kyle Evans gathered a cross-field kick to score in the corner, and then Will Holling went over from a rolling maul as the lead was cut to 12 points with 30 minutes remaining.
The Trailfinders then responded brilliantly with a sensational try from David Johnston. Cordy Redden broke through the middle and then Steven Shingler’s inch-perfect kick found the Irishman in the corner who timed his turn to perfection and slid over to score.
Ben Ward then made a large number of replacements as the squad got some much-needed game-time and aimed to see out the final quarter.
Doncaster then got a deserved bonus point on the hour mark as Aaron Reed scored their fourth try. The winger got the ball in open play with 25 metres ahead of him and raced away to show his pace against a tiring defence.
That try meant the lead was down to 12 points, but Steven Shingler then smashed a close-range penalty through the posts to move the gap over two converted tries.
Dean Hammond then rounded off the scoring with a fantastic try to cap a memorable away performance. Pat Howard broke through the defence and stormed in to the 22, before offloading to the winger who slid over despite a last ditch tackle.
Shingler then smashed the ball off the park as the visitors signalled their intent ahead of the trip to Saracens next Saturday in the next round.
Doncaster Knights:
15 Tom Bacon 14 Kyle Evans 13 Charlie Foley 12 Mark Best 11 Aaron Reed 10 Sam Olver 9 James Mitchell 1 Conrad Cade 2 Will Holling 3 Joe Jones 4 Matt Challinor (c) 5 Matt Smith 6 Will Britton 7 Sam Graham 8 Guido Volpi
Replacements:
16 Josh Pieterse 17 George Roberts 18 Andrew Foster 19 John Kelly 20 Jack Davies 21 Gus Warr 22 Billy McBryde 23 Harry Strong
Scorers:
Tries: Tom Bacon (4 minutes) Kyle Evans (44 minutes) Will Holling (50 minutes) Aaron Reed (60 minutes)
Conversions: Sam Olver (4, 44. 50 minutes)
Ealing Trailfinders:
15 Luke Daniels 14 James Cordy Redden 13 David Johnston 12 Pat Howard (replaced by Fraser Strachan, 75 mins) 11 Dean Hammond 10 Craig Willis (replaced by Steven Shingler, 50 mins) 9 Craig Hampson (replaced by Jordan Burns, 65 mins) 1 Will Davis (replaced by Elliot Chilvers, 70 mins) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Shaun Malton, 50 mins) 3 Elliot Millar Mills (replaced by George Davis, 15 mins) 4 Bobby de Wee 5 Ben West (replaced by Abongile Nonkontwana (60 mins) 6 Kieran Murphy (replaced by Adam Korczyk, 50 mins) 7 Guy Thompson 8 Rayn Smid (c)
Replacements:
16 Shaun Malton 17 Elliot Chilvers 18 George Davis 19 Abongile Nonkontwana 20 Adam Korczyk 21 Jordan Burns 22 Steven Shingler 23 Fraser Strachan
Scorers:
Tries: James Cordy Redden (15 minutes) Will Davis (20 minutes) Bobby de Wee (28 minutes) Guy Thompson (33 minutes) Craig Hampson (40 minutes) David Johnston (52 minutes) Dean Hammond (74 minutes)
Conversions: Craig Willis (15, 20, 33 minutes)
Penalties: Steven Shingler (65 minutes)
Referee: Hamish Smales
Half Time Score: Doncaster Knights 7-33 Ealing Trailfinders
Trailfinders Challenge Cup Man of the Match: Craig Hampson
Ealing Trailfinders made an incredible start to the Trailfinders Challenge Cup with a memorable 27-26 victory over Saracens in Round One.
The Green and Whites relied on a phenomenal second half, with Alun Walker scoring twice in a man-of-the-match performance to secure the win.
Craig Willis gave the Trailfinders the perfect start, with a penalty after just two minutes to give his side an early advantage, however almost immediately that was cancelled out as Will Hooley dissected the posts to make it 3-3 in the early stages.
The West Londoners were enjoying plenty of possession and took a deserved lead with 10 minutes gone. Craig Hampson dummied from the base of a lineout and went within five metres of the line, so the ball was spun wide immediately and Angus Kernohan was there to dive over in the corner, once again highlighting his impressive start at his new club. Willis added the conversion from the touchline as the Trailfinders went 10-3 ahead.
Hooley then cut the lead to just a point with two penalties in quick succession before Willis punched his side four ahead with another penalty, but the visitors then took the lead ahead of half time with a try from Elliott Obatoyinbo.
The three-time European Champions had sustained pressure in the 22, and then the flying full-back found space which enabled him to step to the line.
That gave Saracens a 14-13 advantage, but the Trailfinders refused to lie down as half time approached and came close to scoring twice.
Pat Howard was held up over the line after smashing his way through the defence, and then Dean Hammond had a one on one in the corner but in the process of offloading the ball trickled in to touch, so it was the visitors that had a one point lead at the break.
Ben Ward’s men started the second half with great intensity and dominated territory as they looked to regain control of the match.
A string of penalties resulted in a five metre lineout on 55 minutes, and that proved to be the turning point as Alun Walker went powering over from close range to mark his return to the side with a try. Willis’ conversion again from the touchline sailed through the posts to put the hosts 20-14 ahead.
Saracens however came back strongly and went close to scoring, only to knock on in the process of placing the ball over the line which gave the Green and Whites a huge sigh of relief.
They did get over the line at their next opportunity, as Kapeli Pifeleti drove over from a maul, but crucially the conversion went narrowly wide so the Trailfinders still held a one point lead.
The result was then put beyond doubt with just five minutes left, as a period of numerous penalties in the 22 meant that Saracens were reduced to 14 with a yellow card, and Ward’s side capitalised with their third try.
A five metre lineout meant that once again it was Alun Walker who found himself at the back of the maul to cap a fantastic individual performance with a brace, and spark celebrations from the squad. Willis’ conversion importantly meant that the lead was beyond a converted try.
Saracens scored with the final play of the match as Tom Woolstencroft was the beneficiary of a break from Tom Whiteley to secure a losing bonus-point for them, but the day belonged to Ealing Trailfinders who marked their return to competitive rugby with a hugely significant win.
Round Two of the Trailfinders Challenge Cup sees Doncaster Knights host Saracens next Saturday, before the Trailfinders make the trip to Castle Park on Saturday 30th January for their next assignment.
Ealing Trailfinders:
15 David Johnston 14 Angus Kernohan 13 Fraser Strachan 12 Pat Howard 11 Dean Hammond 10 Craig Willis 9 Craig Hampson 1 Kyle Whyte (replaced by Will Davis, 20 mins) 2 Alun Walker 3 Elliot Millar Mills (replaced by George Davis, 75 mins) 4 Bobby De Wee 5 Simon Linsell 6 Kieran Murphy 7 Adam Korczyk 8 Rayn Smid (c)
Replacements:
16 Michael Van Vuuren 17 Will Davis 18 George Davis 19 Ben West 20 Shane Buckley 21 Guy Thompson 22 Jordan Burns 23 Steven Shingler
Scorers:
Tries: Angus Kernohan (9 minutes) Alun Walker (56, 77 minutes)
Conversions: Craig Willis (9, 56 minutes)
Penalties: Craig Willis (2, 30 minutes)
Saracens:
15 Elliott Obatoyinbo 14 Ben Harris 13 Dom Morris 12 Duncan Taylor 11 Rotimi Segun 10 Will Hooley 9 Aled Davies 1 Eroni Mawi 2 Tom Woolstencroft (c) 3 Vincent Koch 4 Jon Kpoku 5 Ollie Stonham 6 Janco Venter 7 Andy Christie 8 Billy Vunipola
Replacements:
16 Kapeli Pifeleti 17 Sam Crean 18 Josh Ibaunokpe 19 Llewelyn Jones 20 Callum Hunter-Hill 21 Tom Whiteley 22 Harry Sloan 23 Charlie Watson
Scorers:
Tries: Elliot Obatoyinbo (35 minutes) Kapeli Pifeletei (65 minutes) Tom Woolstencroft (80 minutes)
Conversions: Will Hooley (80 minutes)
Penalties: Will Hooley (4, 19, 25 minutes)
Match Officials:
Referee: Jack Makepeace
Assistant Referees: Dean Richards & Mike Hudson
Fourth Official: George Selwood
Half Time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 13-14 Saracens
Trailfinders Challenge Cup Man of the Match: Alun Walker
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