Match Report: Blackheath vs Ealing Trailfinders
Ealing Trailfinders secure a bonus-point win against Blackheath to round of the first block of Elior Champ Rugby.
An early scrum for Trailfinders gave them attacking advantage. However, a lost ball forward stunted opening momentum. Yet, Trailfinders secured the ball back after winning an early penalty.
Another scrum for Trailfinders, this time ten metres out from the try area proved the perfect platform for the first try. The men in green held the scrum, going short and strong in the carries. Then using the width, Toby Cousins ran the try in on the wing. Louie Johnson added the conversion.
Blackheath opted for the box kick game, looking to gain territory through the kicking battle. Trailfinders gained the edge in the kicking game and drew another penalty. Johnson kicked the ball into a corner. Momentum swung once more when Blackheath stole the lineout and box kicked for the exit.
But Trailfinders were not to be deterred. With a second lineout opportunity, skipper Will Montgomery gathered the ball, giving his side the platform to attack. Deago Bailey worked off his wing, slicing through Blackheath’s defence to score the second try from his own chip and chase. Johnson added the conversion.
Ten minutes in and two tries for Trailfinders did not stop Blackheath from staying in the hunt for their own.
The home side struck back from their own set piece platform. After securing the lineout, Blackheath’s Jordan Burns saw a gap and soared to the tryline for Blackheath’s first score. The conversion was successful by Sam Morley.
Blackheath continued to capitalise on their attacking prowess. Burns broke down the lefthand channel to score a second try, though this time the conversion flew wide.
Discipline errors crept into Trailfinders’ play as the clock neared the quarter mark. A penalty for Blackheath in the red zone saw Morley point to posts. His boot was straight and true, the penalty score taking the hosts into the lead for the first time of the match.
Trailfinders fended off another wave of attack from Blackheath and turned defence into offence. After remaining resilient, the fruits of their labour came through.
Bailey found a gap once more to score his second and Ealing’s third try of the match. Johnson added the conversion.
Fierce competition continued at the breakdown between both teams, yet it was Trailfinders who had the edge when a scrum penalty saw the ball quickly recycled and sent out to Cousins. He scored Trailfinders’ fourth try in the right corner just before half-time.
Half-time: Blackheath 15-26 Ealing Trailfinders
The second half opened with turnover ball for both sides, each team targeting the breakdown. The fierce contest in the midfield ensued as no points were scored when the clock edged into fifty minutes.
Blackheath held firm in a scrum after Trailfinders knocked the ball on in the red zone. The home side’s exit relieved some pressure but not enough.
Trailfinders went back to the set piece lineout into the driving maul. The forwards carried in short range. Second row Bobby De Wee scored next to the posts to give Johnson a straightforward conversion which he slotted over.
The demons of ill-discipline were not over when the referee showed Cousins a yellow card.
Blackheath capitalised on the numerical advantage with a driving maul try scored to the left of the posts. The conversion by Morley was successful.
That score was set to be Blackheath’s last as Trailfinders continued to play physically.
Another scrum in Blackheath’s 22 was won and Trailfinders drove forward through the short attacking carries. On the final phase, Adam Nicol powered over the try line for his first ever try as a Trailfinder, his third in his professional career. Johnson added the extras.
Try-time continued when Michael Stronge broke free from Blackheath defenders to score. Johnson slotted the conversion.
Even with fewer players on the pitch, Trailfinders stepped up their game, hunting for more in the dying minutes of the match. The dividends were paid when De Wee got over for a second try from short range, with Johnson converting once more.
With ball in hand, Trailfinders used the width and spread the ball out to Jake Morris who scored on the right wing.
Trailfinders finish block one with a bonus-point win.
Full-time: Blackheath 22-59 Ealing Trailfinders
