Match Report: Ealing Trailfinders v Doncaster Knights
Trailfinders secure a bonus-point victory in a thrilling game at TFSC.
Early momentum went the way of the Trailfinders, maintaining possession with George Davis carrying hard in the midfield.
Trailfinders had the first defensive edge as they win a penalty close to the five, resulting in a line out.
The following lineout turned into a strong maul, with Mike Willemse trailing behind with the ball. He dotted down over the line as the maul progressed for the first score of the game on his 50th cap.
The Conversion was just wide from Louie Johnson, leaving the score at 5-0 five minutes in.
Following the score, Doncaster started to pile on pressure, but some great defence from Trailfinders won back possession, with the clearing kick keeping play along the half-way line.
Momentum struggled to swing either way around the 15 minute mark, after a few dropped balls resulted in a trail of scrums.
Doncaster found momentum again from their scrum, taking the ball through the hands, and after a hard line from Penaia Tagutu, he was able to dot down under the posts to level up, with the conversion taking them ahead, 5-7.
Straight from the score, Doncaster had the ball in front of their try line. A strong defensive set from the home side gave them a penalty 5 metres out which they kicked to the touch line for a lineout.
The following lineout resulted in another strong maul, with hooker Mike Willemse dotting down again for the instant response.
After the successful conversion from Louie Johnson, Trailfinders led 12-7.
Penaia Tagutu continued to threaten the Trailfinders defence with strong running lines, but good tracking from Deago Bailey won the home side the ball back.
Maintaining possession, Deago Bailey broke the line with support from Louie Johnson, but the attack was to no avail. Doncaster full back Telusa Veainu intercepted the ball 15 metres from his own try line and beat both Rory Scannell and Jacob Morris to dot down in the corner, having covered 70 metres.
Scores were level after the unsuccessful conversion – 12-12 after 25 minutes.
Despite the score, Trailfinders piled on the pressure in the Doncaster half, and after more strong lines from George Davis, the ball was shifted wide to Deago Bailey to dot down in the corner. Another unsuccessful conversion made the score 17-12.
From the off again, a strong scrum resulting in a penalty for the home side saw the ball nudged to the corner, and even after the overthrow, Deago Bailey picked up the pieces to dot down for his second.
A successful conversion made the score 24-12 with 10 minutes of the half left.
From the kickoff, Trailfinders piled on more pressure, and a great line from Deago Bailey left him in the clear, with Craig Hampson by his side for the walk in under the posts. A successful conversion brought the score to 31-12.
Again, straight from the off, great hands from Louie Johnson and the rest of the back line gave Jacob Morris some space to run into. Hayden Hyde came off the end of the pass in space and dots down for a 3rd try in quick succession. Trailfinders extended the lead to 38-12 after the conversion.
After a frantic last 10 minutes, the half came to an end, with Ealing leading 38-12.
Half time: Ealing Trailfinders 38-12 Doncaster Knights
Doncaster started the second half flying, already finding themselves in the Trailfinders 22. After some quick hands, centre Rokodugini slips through a gap and dots down 3 minutes into the second half. An unsuccessful conversion makes the score 38-19.
Doncaster held possession following the score and broke through thanks to some great hands in the backline, but the Trailfinders defence held strong.
The first quiet period came 50 minutes in, with Trailfinders happy to keep possession in their own half. A few strong carries from Conor Oliver made the home team some yards up the field.
Doncaster had not long regained possession back before a great interception from Francis Moore gave Trailfinders the opportunity to clear their lines, keeping play towards the Doncaster half.
After winning a penalty, the ball was nudged into the corner for Trailfinders’ first visit into the Doncaster 22. It was to no avail though, as Doncaster were able to clear their lines.
Louie Johnson almost picked up the loose ball from the Doncaster backs to score, but he was just caught short, as it trickled out the dead ball line.
Another strong scrum gave Trailfinders the penalty, but an overthrow from the resulting lineout gave the visitors possession back.
Ealing continued to pile on pressure, keeping the ball in Doncaster’s half as the game passed the 65 minute mark, earning a scrum 15 metres from the try line.
The scrum resulted in the ball being shifted wide, before being switched inside to Deago Bailey for his hatrick.That was try number 7 for Trailfinders, with the score now 45-19 after the successful conversion.
Doncaster responded well, with the ball being hit up strong in the middle then passed out wide. Telusa Veainu stepped in and out to find space and pick out Zach Kerr for the walk in, taking the score to 45-26 after the conversion.
The remaining ten minutes remained quiet with Trailfinders comfortable in possession.
As the ball was lost by the visitors, the referee blew for full time, handing Trailfinders the bonus point win.
Full time: Ealing Trailfinders 45-26 Doncaster
Player of the match: Deago Bailey