LIVE BLOG: BIARRITZ (A)

Welcome to the official LIVE blog from tonight’s preseason fixture against Biarritz.

This page will updated regularly throughout the game so please remember to refresh your page every few minutes (KO 8pm – 7pm UK time).

1st Min: We’re underway here in Biarritz. Great to have you joining us for our first preseason match of the 2022/23 campaign! Humid and sticky conditions should make for a tough contest.

3rd Min: We’re packing down for the first scrum of the match. Biarritz fumbled the ball in the ruck. Craig Hampson feeds the ball into the scrum and Simon Uzokwe picks the ball up and makes his first charge at the Biarritz defence.

4th Min: TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS! We open the scoring with Hampson slicing through the Biarritz defence to score from 20 metres out. Steven Shingler slots the conversion from directly in front.

SCORE: BIARRITZ 0 – EALING TRAILFINDERS 7

 

10th Min: Biarritz have their first major attacking play, working the ball into our half before winning the penalty. They kick for the lineout, 22 metres out.

12th Min: That’s consecutive penalties for the home side. We’re penalised for offside and the hosts march the ball forward from their lineout maul.

14th Min: TRY BIARRITZ. The hosts scamper through our defence from seven metres out. Conversion successful.

SCORE: BIARRITZ 7 – EALING TRAILFINDERS 7

 

18th Min: Powerful defence by our line forcing the penalty. We’ll look to attack from 45 metres out.

21st Min: Impressive attacking play, building confidence phase by phase. Biarritz are penalised on their 22 metre and Shings will kick for the corner. Score remains tied up at 7-7.

22nd Min: Biarritz win back possession and charge up the field with speed. Our defence needs to hold strong here.

24th Min: TRY BIARRITZ. The hosts swing the ball wide and former Wallaby Henry Speight powers to the corner from 15 metres out. Conversion is missed.

SCORE: BIARRITZ 12 – EALING TRAILFINDERS 7

 

28th Min: Huge defence by our pack, forcing the turnover on our line. Biarritz are penalised and Shings boots the ball into touch, just inside our half.

36 Min: Bit of inaccuracy creeping in for both sides. Humid conditions with a slippery ball means we’ll pack down for another scrum. 25 metres from the Biarritz line. Score remains 12-7 to the hosts.

40th Min: TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS! Alun Walker barges his way over from close range. Shings adds the extras with a lovely kick from out wide. We’ll head into the break with a two point lead!

HALF-TIME SCORE: BIARRITZ 12 – EALING TRAILFINDERS 14

 

41st Min: Welcome back for the second half action. We’ve changed our front-row at the break with Will Davis, Kevin O’Byrne and George Davis on the pitch.

44th Min: BIARRITZ YELLOW CARD. The hosts are down to 14 men as we drive the ball towards their line.

49th Min: We overthrow at the lineout and Biarritz steal possession. They then spin the ball wide and boot over deep into our half.

52nd Min: This is turning into a titanic and fierce battle. We’re throwing loads of pressure at Biarritz and they continue to hold firm. The crowd are getting rowdy too!

55th Min: Biarritz are penalised just outside their 22. The referee speaks to their skipper and the infringing player. Big attacking lineout coming up!

58th Min: Score remains tightly locked at Biarritz 12 – Ealing Trailfinders 14 as we make a few changes. Simon Linsell, Dave O’Connor and Jack Digby are on the pitch, replacing today’s skipper Barney Maddison, Bobby De Wee and Simon Uzokwe.

 

67th Min: TRY BIARRITZ. The hosts score from a sharp cross-field kick. The conversion swirls in the wind, hits the upright and bounces through the sticks.

SCORE: BIARRITZ 19 – EALING TRAILFINDERS 14

 

69th Min: Jack Metcalf and Dan Lancaster are on for their first appearance in Ealing colours. The pair replace Jonah Holmes and Steven Shingler.

71st Min: TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS! With his first touch of the match Jack Metcalf slices through the Biarritz defence to score under the sticks. Lancaster slots the conversion and we’re back in front!

SCORE: BIARRITZ 19 – EALING TRAILFINDERS 21

 

74th Min: Here come the hosts. They are working their way back into our half. Time to hold firm lads!

75th Min: Phew….Biarritz are pinned for a forward pass. It’s our scrum feed as we look to move the ball back out of our half. Score remains 19-21.

77th Min: Monster scrum by our pack to win the penalty! Lancaster then boots the ball way up field.

79th Min: Nervy stuff here as Biarritz attack with pace up towards half-way.

80th Min: YELLOW CARD EALING TRAILFINDERS. Jack Digby is sent to the bin for a dangerous tackle. Biarritz will take the shot at goal from 50 metres to win the game…

80th Min: PENALTY SUCCESSFUL BIARRITZ. Heartbreak at the death. Biarritz slot their penalty kick from 50 out to win the game.

FINAL SCORE: BIARRITZ 22 – EALING TRAILFINDERS 21