Ealing Trailfinders recorded their first ever win away to Blaydon when they ran in five tries to ensure they would begin 2015 by collecting all five points on offer.

Andy Reay scored twice, Arthur Ellis grabbed his 14th try of the season, Luke Daniels ran in his first for the club and Sam Wardingley added a fifth just before the final whistle to keep Ealing Trailfinders top of National 1.

Ealing Trailfinders began on the attack, but despite setting up try-scoring positions with a rolling maul from a catch and drive Blaydon’s defence held out.

When the hosts went on the attack they were able to enjoy 20 minutes of dominance, but despite enjoying the upper hand in the scrum they were unable to break through when Reay and Jamie Kilbane teamed up in defence to stop their number 8 Gavin Jones from picking up.

Ealing Trailfinders captain Tom Brown found space to race into the Blaydon defence and it signalled an increase in intensity from the visitors and soon after they opened the scoring when Reay slalomed his way to the line.

Brown was leading by example and was ably helped out by the Jones twins Carwyn and Llewelyn, with all three working hard at the breakdown and with the ball in hand.

The forwards efforts were rewarded when Ellis picked a line of Ben Ward to score next to the posts and the pack continued their strong showing as the half drew to a close when Nathan Buck was stopped short of the line.

Ealing Trailfinders began on top when the second half began and a Llewelyn Jones charge through the Blaydon defence set the tone.

Nonetheless Blaydon showed that they could strike if they had the chance and Tom Grimes and Tom Bramwell teamed up to break away before a Phil Chesters tackle on Joe Heslop stopped the move.

Soon after Reay scored his second after Daniels and Chris Kinloch broke away and while Chris Wearmouth pulled a try back from a catch and drive rolling maul Daniels used his pace to break clear down the right wing to score his first try in Ealing Trailfinders colours.

As the final whistle drew near Blaydon tried to hit back through their lineout, but good work from second rows Michael Walker-Fitton and Paul Spivey snuffed out the danger.

Then with their last attack Ealing Trailfinders added to their score when Reay broke clear and rather than try and beat the fullback for his hattrick, put Wardingley in space to put the sheen on a well-merited victory.

Blaydon
Rhodri Adamson, Joe Heslop, Tom Grimes, Toby Bain, Tom Bramwell, Andy Braggett, Nathan Horsfall; Robert Kalbraier, Matt Hall, Andy Foster, Chris Wearmouth, Shaun English, Keith Laughlin (captain), Jason Smithson, Gavin Jones
Reserves
Robert Morris, Francis Entressengle, Thomas Gailland, Tom Small, Phil Stewart

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Andy Reay, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Jamie Kilbane, Andrei Radoi, Nathan Buck, Carwyn Jones, Mike Walker-Fitton, Llewelyn Jones, Arthur Ellis, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Karl Gibson, Will Davis, Paul Spivey, Anders Nilsson, Luke Daniels

Scorers
Blaydon
Tries (Wearmouth 56)
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Reay 23, 53, Ellis 36, Daniels 58, Wardingley 76), Conversions (Ward 37, 54, 77)

Referee – Andrew Rawson

Ealing Trailfinders brought the curtain down on 2014 with a seven-try win over a dogged and determined Old Albanian side that means that Ben Ward’s side end the year top of National 1.

With former head coach James Shanahan returning to OA’s the Hertfordshire side sought to move the wide from the start and centres Dan Watt and Max Wilkins both made early breaks before Watt opened the scoring with a penalty on five minutes.

For the next 10 minutes defences stayed on top and while scrum-halves Alex Walker and Jack Daly both tried to prompt their attacking lines it was a forward, Arthur Ellis, who put Ealing Trailfinders into the lead when he scored his 12th try of the season from a rolling maul.

Phil Chesters stretched the lead further still when he latched on to Ben Ward’s cross-kick and raced home to score in the corner from his 22. Ward added the conversion, but Watt knocked over his second penalty to stay in touch.

Ealing Trailfinders’ pack began to impose itself on their opposite numbers as the first half wore on and Ellis scored his second in identical fashion to his first from the back of a rolling maul. Andy Reay then swooped on a tricky Ward grubber kick to ensure the four-try bonus point on the stroke of half-time.

Will Harries marked the start of the second half with a searing break of Tom Wheatcroft’s pass, but OA wing Chris May came back to make the interception as Chesters appeared set to run in his second try.

However, after a rolling maul was stopped short of the line, the ball went through the phases with the forward pack and eventually Llewelyn Jones crashed over from close range.

OA hit back though when Watt’s powerful run though Ealing Trailfinders’ defence was rewarded with their first try of the day that he then converted.

Shanahan’s promptings continued to keep OA on the attack, but it was Ealing Trailfinders who struck next when Harries raced into the corner after attacking the blind-side of a scrum.

Both sides stuck to their attacking intent as the match drew to a close and Nick Foster show a fine turn of speed to race away from his half for OA’s second try of the match.

Nonetheless Ealing Trailfinders had the last word when Harries scored his second off the match after claiming Ward’s kick to dive over in the corner. Ward’s conversion then meant that 2014 ended in fine style.

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Chris Kinloch, Tom Wheatcroft, Andy Reay, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Jamie Kilbane, Karl Gibson, Alex Penny, Paul Spivey, Llewelyn Jones, Anders Nilsson, Arthur Ellis, Redford Pennycook (captain)
Reserves
Andrei Radoi, Will Davis, Mike Walker-Fitton, Alex Bradley, Luke Daniels

Old Albanian
Ollie Marchon, Chris May, Max Wilkins, Dan Watt, Jimmy Speirs, James Shanahan, Jack Daly; Charlie Hughes, Brett McNamee, Andy Berry, Lloyd Bickle, Ross Hamilton, Ollie Cooper-Miller, Nick Stevens, Billy Johnson (captain)
Reserves
George Warner, Will Briggs, Jon Phillips, Dom Regan, Jack Daly

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Ellis 15, 34, Chesters 23, Reay 39, Jones 45, Harries 60, 79), Conversions (Ward 24, 34, 40, 45, 80)
Old Albanian
Tries (Watt 54, Foster 72), Penalties (Watt 5, 29, 55)

STORM Watches MOTM – Anders Nilsson
Referee – Rob Warburton
Attendance – 564
Yellow card – Lloyd Bickle (OA)

Ealing Trailfinders left it late to secure a vital win over second-placed Rosslyn Park in a match that swung back and forth for the entire 80 minutes.

Ben Ward’s side scored three tries but they were pushed hard throughout by a well-drilled and talented Rosslyn Park side that had designs on top spot in National 1.

Rosslyn Park kicked off and enjoyed the better of the opening 10 minutes, though they were unable to find a way through Ealing Trailfinders’ defence and fly-half Louis Grimoldby wasted the chance to open the scoring when he hit a penalty attempt short.

Grimoldby struck his second penalty better on 15 minutes to open the scoring, but the visitors hit back immediately when Jamie Kilbane burrowed over from close range.

For the next 10 minutes the sides continued to do their best to break through each other’s lines, but defences stayed on top, while in the set-piece the forwards were evenly matched.

Chris Kinloch pinned the Park defence back with an incisive run, but a few phases on the hosts won a turnover and were able to clear their lines. Grimoldby had another chance with a penalty when Nathan Buck was sent to the sinbin, but again he hit it short.

Kilbane was yellow carded to mean that Ealing Trailfinders went in at halftime down to 13 men and Grimoldby’s second penalty meant the hosts led 6-5 at the break.

Three Gary Johnson lineout wins early in the second half helped settle Ealing Trailfinders nerves and from the third on the Rosslyn Park 22 it allowed the attack to break Park’s defence and only a late tackle stopped Phil Chesters from adding another try to his collection.

However, it was the hosts who scored the first points of the second half when Grimoldby slotted his third penalty of the match.

Four minutes later though Ealing Trailfinders scored their second try of the match when Kinloch released Chesters and this time he had the time and space to score. Park then responded in similar fashion to retake the lead as Richard Boyle crashed over from close range for a try that Grimoldby converted.

As Ealing Trailfinders chased the match Will Harries finally had the chance to test the Park defence and after cutting through the defence only good work from his opposite number Nev Edwards stopped Chesters from scoring a second from the Welshman’s grubber.

Sam Shires became the third player sent to the sinbin as the clocked ticked down and Park did their utmost to hold onto their lead. Ealing Trailfinders twice tried for a catch and drive and on the second referee Greg McDonald awarded a penalty try after the Park pack pulled their opposite numbers down. Ward’s conversion meant the visitors led with only two minutes on the clock.

Rosslyn Park made once last attempt to snatch back victory, but great work by Buck at a mall allowed Ealing Trailfinders to win the ball back and seconds later McDonald blew his whistle to bring the end to an enthralling encounter.

Rosslyn Park
Nev Edwards, Dave Vincent, Kiba Richards, Dante Mama, Charles Broughton, Louis Grimoldby, Luke Carter; Aaron Liffchak, Adam Bellamy, Alex McKenzie, Will Bowley, Richard Boyle, Mike McFarlane, Sam Shires, Hugo Ellis (captain)
Reserves
Tom Woolstencroft, Alex Lundberg, Harry Broadbent, Jack Gash, Scott Sneddon

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Andy Reay, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Jamie Kilbane, Andrei Radoi, Nathan Buck, Carwyn Jones, Gary Johnson, Red Pennycook, Arthur Ellis, Danny Kenny (captain)
Reserves
Karl Gibson, Alex Penny, Steve Pape, Tom Brown, Tom Wheatcroft

Scorers
Rosslyn Park
Tries (Boyle 58), Penalties (Grimoldby 15, 40, 50)
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Kilbane 20, Chesters 54, penalty 78), Conversions (Ward 78)

Referee – Greg McDonald
Attendance – 1, 367

Ealing Trailfinders returned to winning ways by running in five tries against their cross-city rivals from south-east London.

Both teams did their best to play flowing rugby in biting conditions and both can look back with pride that they ended the match having run in five tries apiece.

Blackheath enjoyed the opening exchanges and were unfortunate not to open the scoring on four minutes when wing Richard Windsor found space, but he knocked on as he crossed the line.

Ealing Trailfinders came close from their first foray into the opposition half when Owen Bruynseels put Matt Jarvis away before he was hauled down close to the line. Blackheath offended at the breakdown, Ben Ward kicked to touch and from the subsequent lineout Arthur Ellis was mauled over for his 10th try of the season.

The south-east Londoners hit back immediately and after probing the line Bruynseels had to stop Bill Stuart in the corner. Soon after though Seb Nagle-Taylor scored their first try when he wiggled free from a driven line out and then moments later he linked with Joe Crest to put Windsor over for a try that gave the visitors the lead.

The hosts began to probe the Blackheath line and after Tom Wheatcroft and Andrei Radoi had been stopped short, Ward found Bruynseels in space for his second try of the season.

The match continued in a frantic manner with both teams eager to spread the play wide when they had the chance, but after four tries in the first 20 minutes, defences came out on top for the next 10.

Redford Pennycook was next on the scoresheet when he picked a strong line to race in behind the post, which stretched the lead to 21-10. Bruynseels then had his second try ruled out for a forward pass and Sam Wardingley suffered the same fate on the stroke of halftime.

Blackheath began the second half in the same manner as the first and were eventually rewarded for their positive play when fly-half Alex Gallagher wiggled through from five yards. Once again though Ryan Squires’ kicking was off and Ealing Trailfinders maintained a six-point lead.

They nearly scored their third soon after when Mike Canty cut a powerful line through Ealing Trailfinders’ defence and only a last-gasp Jarvis tackle stopped him from securing a four-try bonus point. Then when they turned to their pack from a lineout Ellis came through the maul to stop the attack.

Eventually Ealing Trailfinders secured the four-try bonus when Ellis broke free from the back of a driving maul to score in the corner. Chesters then found the space to run in his 200th competitive try for the club and his 16th of the season.

Gallagher scored his second of the match and Squires found space to score a fifth on the death to wrap up an exciting, entertaining London derby.

Ealing Trailfinders
Matt Jarvis, Owen Bruynseels, Sam Wardingley, Tom Wheatcroft, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Will Davis, Andrei Radoi, Nathan Buck, Carwyn Jones, Gary Johnson, Redford Pennycook, Arthur Ellis, Danny Kenny (captain)
Reserves
Karl Gibson, Alex Penny, Paul Spivey, Anders Nilsson, Chris Kinloch

Blackheath
Mike Canty, Ryan Squires, Markus Burcham, Joe Crust, Richard Windsor, Alex Gallagher, Sam Eydmann; Aston Croall, Gavin O’Meara, Will Stuart, Tom Bason, George Oram, Richard Pike, Seb Nagle-Taylor, Ollie Lyons
Reserves
Nik Grier, Stefan North, Chris Sewell, Tom Trotter, Harry Shepard

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Ellis 8, 65 Bruynseels 22, Pennycook 32, Chesters 71), Conversions (Ward 9, 22, 33)
Blackheath
Tries (Nagle-Taylor 15, Windsor 16, Gallagher 46, 73, Squires 80), Conversions (Gallagher 80)

STORM Watches Man of the Match – Arthur Ellis
Attendance – 321
Referee – Tom Foley

Ealing Trailfinders slipped to their first defeat of the season when they conceded four tries to three against a fired-up Coventry side that were roared on by a season’s best crowd of 1, 408, but they at least left with four-try and losing bonus points as consolation.

The fans at Butts Park Arena didn’t have to wait long for the first points; Coventry captain and fullback Cliffie Hodgson knocked over a penalty from just inside his own half after only two minutes.

Five minutes later they added the first try when centre Rob Knox wiggled free in midfield to race away for a try in the corner. Ealing Trailfinders then enjoyed their first foray into the Coventry half, but after winning two penalties close to the line they were unable to break down Coventry’s defence and the hosts cleared the danger.

The Ealing Trailfinders pack didn’t let up though and after winning a penalty from a scrum, Ben Ward kicked to the corner and from the lineout Andrei Radoi was driven over to mark his return from international action for Romania.

Hodgson missed two penalty attempts, but the hosts continued to enjoy the better of the attack and kept Ealing Trailfinders pinned in their own 22 with strong defence and the desire to run the ball when the chance presented itself.

Hodgson missed a third penalty and it preceded Ealing Trailfinders’ best period of the first half. Phil Chesters nearly broke away from a Ward cross-kick and only a mix-up in midfield stopped another attack.

Once again the pack set up the try from another catch and drive and this time it was team captain Tom Brown who fixed himself onto the back of a maul to score and put Ealing Trailfinders ahead for the first time in the match.

The pack continued put the squeeze on and Andy Reay and Radoi went close as halftime arrived.

After the break Danny Kenny came close with an early charge, but Knox again scored the opening points of the half when he broke through the middle for a try that Matt Jones converted to give the hosts the lead.

Again Ealing Trailfinders’ pack capped the team’s good work to retake the lead through Alex Bradley from another catch and drive. Coventry didn’t lie down though and went back in front when Sam Pailor forced his way over from close range to retake the lead.

They then stretched their lead further when they capitalised on a break from Dominic Lespierre to send Hodgson over in the corner and with Jones’ conversion Ealing Trailfinders had eight points to make up in the final 10 minutes.

Coventry maintained their pressure to the end and kept the visitors pinned back in their own half for the remainder of the match and Jones put a gloss on with a late penalty.

However, Chesters’ late try ensured Ealing Trailfinders had some points to take back with them down the motorway.

Coventry
Cliffie Hodgson (captain), Dom Lespierre, Callum MacBurnie, Rob Knox, Will Hurrell, Matt Jones, Wayne Evans; Andy Brown, Matt Price, Adam Parkins, Tom Poole, Scott Morgan, Sam Pailor, Lewis Ludlam, Ed Milne
Reserves
Finlay Sinclair, Beno Obano, Jordan Onojaife, Dan Rundle, Louis Silver

Ealing Trailfinders
Jamie Kilbane, Andrei Radoi, Nathan Buck, Carwyn Jones, Llewelyn Jones, Danny Kenny, Alex Bradley, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Kevin Davis, Alex Penny, Steve Pape, Anders Nilsson, Matt Jarvis

Scorers
Coventry
Tries (Knox 7, 43, 60, Hodgson 69), Conversions (Jones 45, 60, 69), Penalties (Hodgson 2, Jones 79)
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Radoi 16, Brown 35, Bradley 51, Chesters 80), Conversions (Ward 18, 36, 52)

Referee – Veryan Boscawen
Attendance – 1, 480
Yellow cards – Adam Parkins (Coventry), Wayne Evans (Coventry)

Ealing Trailfinders enjoyed their finest performance of the season when they ran in eight tries to defeat promotion rivals Fylde on Saturday.

Six different players finished on the scoresheet for the west Londoners, there was one penalty try and director of coaching Ben Ward was faultless with his kicking, slotting eight conversions from eight.

Ealing Trailfinders kicked off and kept their opponents pinned in their 22 with sound defence. Even so Fylde broke away on a couple of occasions, but when they did Ealing Trailfinders’ defence stood firm.

The home side’s pack eventually put themselves on top and they twice came close from catch, drives and rolling mauls with captain Tom Brown held up over the line on the second attempt.

Eventually as the pack continued to increase their vice-like grip on the Fylde line referee Matthew O’Grady whistled for a penalty try when a scrum went down and Ward had little problem slotting the conversion.

Chris Johnson slotted a penalty for Fylde after they enjoyed a few phases of possession, but not long after their second row Joe Robinson was sent to the sin-bin after he pulled Danny Kenny down at a lineout.

From the resulting penalty the forwards went on the attack and after they had opened up a hole in the Fylde defence Alex Walker wiggled over.

The hosts continued to press hard, but after the pack conceded a free-kick by engaging early at a scrum, Fylde whipped the ball wide to wing Olli Brennand, who raced from his 22 to the corner for his 12th try of the season.

The try imbued the visitors with confidence and they stayed on the attack, but when one of their attacks broke down, Ward swooped on the loose ball and kicked ahead for Will Harries to score Ealing Trailfinders third try on the stroke of half-time.

Harries scored his second three minutes into the second half when he picked a strong line from a scrum, chipped the defence, collected and scored between the posts to secure the four-try bonus point.

Again the visitors rallied and after their pack gained a foothold, Fylde captain Evan Stewart was driven over for a try that Johnson converted, but Ealing Trailfinders captain Brown matched his counterpart when he was driven over from a catch and drive.

Andy Reay dived over in the corner as Ealing Trailfinders tightened their grip on the match and Chris Kinloch latched onto a Ward cross-kick to mark his return from injury with a try.

The match opened up in the last quarter and both teams went hammer and tongs at each other. Harries nearly went through for his hattrick but slipped after racing three-quarters of the pitch.

However, Phil Chesters ensured that the home side ended on a high when he collected Ward’s cross-kick to score his 14th of the season, a try Ward had little problem converting from the touchline.

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Andy Reay, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Jamie Kilbane, Arthur Ellis, Nathan Buck, Carwyn Jones, Gary Johnson, Danny Kenny, Red Pennycook, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Kevin Davis, Alex Penny, Llewelyn Jones, Anders Nilsson, Tom Wheatcroft

Fylde
Warren Spragg, Jordan Dorrington, Chris Briers, Scott Rawlings, Oli Brennand, Chris Johnson, Martin Wallwork; Dan Birchall, Tom Burtonwood, Adam Lewis, Paul Arnold, Joe Robinson, Mark Goodman, Evan Stewart (captain), Sam Beaumont.
Reserves
Jonny Wild, Danny Maher, Andrew Hughes, Sam Bedlow, Richard Kenyon

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Penalty 15, Walker 24, Harries 40, 43, Brown 56, Reay 58, Kinloch 62, Chesters 79), Conversions (Ward 16, 25, 40, 43, 57, 59, 62, 80 ), Penalties ( )
Fylde
Tries (Brennand 31, Stewart 51), Conversions (Johnson 52), Penalties (Johnson 19)

STORM Watches Man of the Match – Llewelyn Jones
Referee – Matthew O’Grady
Attendance – 512

Ealing Trailfinders moved back to the top of National 1 in a rousingly entertaining match in which both teams were determined to attack with élan and brio and backed up their intentions with actions on the field.

Tynedale started in determined mood and they led within a minute of kickoff. Dutch international wing Sep Visser looped round to touch down between the posts for a try that fly-half Gavin Beasley converted.

It didn’t take Ealing Trailfinders long to hit back though and Phil Chesters scored in the corner to close the gap to two points.

Owen Bruynseels had chipped ahead down the right, Will Harries was unable to gather with the line at his mercy, but Arthur Ellis swept up and popped the ball to Chesters who had tracked the play across the pitch to his opposite wing.

After five minutes pause when two Tynedale players received treatment, the match resumed and immediately Ealing Trailfinders’ pack gained the ascendancy and won a penalty that was kicked to touch.

From the catch and drive the forwards hammered the Tynedale line and eventually Ellis found space to wiggle over to score.

Tynedale again scored when they went on the attack. After tapping a penalty they attacked left then right and flanker Dan Temm dived over and with Beasley’s conversion the visitors were back in front.

Ealing Trailfinders responded in the best way possible by immediately going down the other end and scoring to restore the lead. Will Harries scored in the same corner as Chesters and with Ward’s conversion the hosts led 17-14 with less than a quarter of the match gone.

Soon after Ealing Trailfinders secured the bonus point when captain Tom Brown was driven over from another catch and drive and a few moments later he ran in his second as the hosts’ attack had left the Tynedale defence in disarray.

Three more tries came as the first half drew to a close; Red Pennycook ensured all three starting back rowers ended on the scoresheet, Chesters dived over in the corner and Bruynseels marked his second match back from injury with a try that brought up the half century after Harries broke clear down the length of the pitch.

The second half nearly began in the same fashion as the first when Visser streaked clear down the pitch. Harries stopped him on the line, but substitute hooker Alex Westgarth was on hand to complete the scoring.

Ealing Trailfinders rediscovered their shape though and Andy Reay capitalised on quick ball, but Adam King ensured that Tynedale would leave with a try bonus point when he dived over in the corner.

Chesters wrapped up his hattrick from a big kick forward from Will Davis and the see-saw nature of the match continued when the Tynedale pack won a penalty try when Gary Johnson and Ellis were in the sin bin.

King scored a second down the right and as the whistle approached both teams did their upmost to keep the ball alive, though neither were able to add to their already numerous try count.

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Owen Bruynseels, Sam Wardingley, Andy Reay, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Jamie Kilbane, Alun Walker, Alex Penny, Carwyn Jones, Gary Johnson, Red Pennycook, Arthur Ellis, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Will Davis, Nathan Buck, Steve Pape, Llewelyn Jones, Matt Jarvis

Tynedale
Jack Harrison (captain), Adam King, William Miller, Ben Frankland, Sep Visser, Gavin Beasley, Matt Outson; Sam White, David Nelson, Mark Irving, Glen Young, Graeme Dunn, Joe Mills, Dan Temm, Scott Powell
Reserves
Alexander Westgarth, Joseph Anderson, Matthew Charters, Daniel Taylor, Brett Connon

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Chesters 4, 37, 60 Ellis 12, Harries 19, Brown 21, 32, Pennycook 34 Bruynseels 38, Reay 49), Conversions (Ward 12, 20, 33, 35, 38, 39, Jarvis 50 )
Tynedale
Tries (Visser 1, Temm 17, Westgarth 42, King 54, 77 Frankland 67, Penalty 73 ), Conversions (Beasley 2, 18, 43 Connon 74)

STORM Watches Man of the Match – Jamie Kilbane
Referee – Rob Warburton
Attendance – 312

Ealing Trailfinders returned from a tricky away fixture against Darlington Mowden Park with four points, which keeps them three clear at the top of National 1.

Ben Ward’s side scored three tries before half-time, but they were unable to add to their tally in the second half as the home team dug deep in defence in front of 948 fans at the Northern Echo Arena.

The home side came out in determined mood and had the chance to take the lead, but their fly-half Tom Hodgson was off target with a penalty.

Ealing Trailfinders responded in the best way possible when Phil Chesters claimed Ward’s chip to race away for the opening score that Ward converted from the touchline.

Five minutes later Ealing Trailfinders captain Tom Brown added the second. The number 8 swooped on a loose ball and ran in between the posts for a simple conversion that Ward knocked over without problem.

The hosts were next on the scoresheet as they hit back immediately.

From a lineout their pack executed a well-timed catch and drive and second row Rob Conquest raced from the middle of it to open Darlington Mowden Park’s account with a try that Hodgson converted.

As halftime approached Ealing Trailfinders began to reassert themselves on the match and they scored their third try just after the half hour mark when the pack won a penalty try after the Darlington Mowden Park scrum collapsed.

After the break the home side raised their game and their pack began to earn parity with Ealing Trailfinders’. Scrum-half Zylon McGaffin darted over for a try that, along with Hodgson’s second conversion closed the gap to seven points.

The try sparked the hosts’ confidence and they threw everything at Ealing Trailfinders defence in the final 20 minutes as they chased the draw and possibly more. In the end though Ealing Trailfinders’ defence stood firm and ensured their unbeaten run remained intact.

Darlington Mowden Park
Henry Robinson, Jamie Barnard, Cameron Mitchell, Jamie Barnard, Callum McKenzie, Tom Hodgson, Zylon McGaffin; Gareth Nesbit, Matt Thompson, Ralph Appleby, Rob Conquest, Chris Campbell, George Hedgley, Jack Allcock, Guy van den Dries
Reserves
Paul Hill, Simon Uzokwe, Charlie Maddison, Max Connon, Joe Nellan

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Owen Bruynseels, Sam Wardingley, Tom Wheatcroft, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Jamie Kilbane, Alun Walker, Nathan Buck, Carwyn Jones, Gary Johnson, Red Pennycook, Danny Kenny, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Kevin Davis, Will Davis, Steve Pape, Arthur Ellis, Ronnie McLean

Scorers
Darlington Mowden Park
Tries (Conquest 16, McGaffin 68), Conversions (Hodgson 17, 68)
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Chesters 9, Brown 14, Penalty 31), Conversion (Ward 10, 15, 31)

Referee – James Clarke
Attendance – 948

Ealing Trailfinders came good in the second half of their match at home to Hartpury College to run in eight tries and maintain their grip at the top of National 1.

Three tries were scored in the first half and five after halftime, with five going to the forward pack and three to the backline in a much improved performance from the away victory against Esher a week ago.

Hartpury College showed their intentions from the start when they took the kickoff and fired the ball wide to outside centre Tom Griffiths. Ealing Trailfinders responded in kind and tapped their first penalty from inside their 22 to show that the tempo would be high for the next 80 minutes.

After enjoying good early pressure the College opened the scoring when scrumhalf Ben Ellis scooted over from a scrum five metres out and Mitchell Burton’s conversion gave the visitors an early 7-0 lead.

Jaike Carter came close to adding a second as the Gloucestershire side maintained their early pressure, but scrumhalf Alex Walker raced across to wrestle him into touch.

Ealing Trailfinders began to work their way back into the match and Phil Chesters and Tom Wheatcroft both made good ground when they had the chance to stretch their legs.

Eventually the hosts’ pressure paid off when Red Pennycook opened his account from the club when he went over from close in.

Will Harries continued to cause the Hartpury defence all manner of problems with his running from deep and by halfway through the first half Ealing Trailfinders were enjoying the bulk of territory and possession. Tom Wheatcroft eventually put the hosts ahead when he picked a strong line to run in a try that he converted.

Burton closed the gap to two points when he knocked over a penalty from in front of the posts but Ealing Trailfinders immediately went up the other end where Arthur Ellis scored his eighth of the season.

Ealing Trailfinders came out for the second half and went straight on the attack with Steve Pape and Chris Kinloch punching holes in the Hartpury defence as the hosts sought to keep the tempo high.

Five minutes into the second half Nathan Buck secured the bonus point and moments later his fellow Welshman Alex Walker popped up on Will Harries’ shoulder for the fifth, both of which Wheatcroft converted.

Hartpury College showed that they weren’t finished though and Phil Chesters had to race back to stop Robert Fuller’s break away, but there was little the home defence could do as Steve Reynolds scythed through for a try that along with Gareth Thompson’s conversion closed the scored to 31-17 with 20 minutes remaining.

Danny Kenny twice dotted down in the corner for Ealing Trailfinders sixth and seventh tries of the afternoon and on the final whistle Sam Wardingley crossed the line for a try that Ben Ward converted to bring up the half century of points.

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Tom Wheatcroft, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Jamie Kilbane, Andrei Radoi, Nathan Buck, Llewelyn Jones, Mike Walker Fitton, Redford Pennycook, Arthur Ellis, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Alun Walker, Will Davis, Steve Pape, Danny Kenny, Ronnie McLean

Hartpury College
Alex O’Meara, Stephen Reynolds, Tom Griffiths, Craig Jackson, Jaike Carter, Mitchell Burton, Ben Ellis; Mike Flook, Chris Fortey (captain), Tim Brockett, Rory Bartle, Robert Fuller, James Voss, Steven Uren, Lewis Ludlow
Reserves
William Tanner, Wayne Thompson, Joseph Dancer, Gareth Thompson, Ian Clark

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Pennycook 23, Wheatcroft 27, Ellis 35, Buck 45, Walker 47, Kenny 67, 70, Wardingley 39), Conversions (Wheatcroft 28, 46, 48, Ward 70, 79)
Hartpury College
Tries (Ellis 6, Reynolds 58), Conversions (Gareth Thompson 58), Penalties (Burton 32)

Referee – Fergus Kirby
Attendance – 494

Ealing Trailfinders stretched their unbeaten run this season to eight match with a hard-fought win over a determined Esher side.

While Ben Ward’s side enjoyed the bulk of possession and territory, they had to work hard to break down an Esher defence that had been the bedrock to their unbeaten home record before the start of the match.

Arthur Ellis scored twice and Steve Pape added a second after halftime, while Matt Jarvis landed a conversion and penalty.

Ealing Trailfinders didn’t take long to impose themselves on the match and after a penalty was kicked to the corner, Llewelyn Jones won the lineout and the pack drove Ellis over for his sixth try of the season which Jarvis converted.

Ronnie McLean continued the momentum with a burst from the 22 and Phil Chesters put a thumping hit in on his opposite number Andrew Wright, but it was Esher who scored next when fullback Ali Chisholm marked his debut by cutting through Ealing Trailfinders’ defence to close the score to 7-5.

The visitors began to work their way back into the match and once again it was through their forward pack, who mauled their opponents deep into their territory to set up good field position.

Esher’s defence stood strong then and eventually they were able to clear the danger, but when they went on the attack twice they were let down by knock ons and flyhalf Steve Boatman pushed a penalty wide that would have put the hosts into the lead.

The visitors ended the first half on the attack though and Chris Kinloch nearly got away when he kicked and chased to force a lineout close to Esher’s line. However, Esher again held out and their scrumhalf Robbie Shaw cleared the ball to end the half.

The second half began as it finished with Ealing Trailfinders’ pack quickly establishing the upper hand at the scrum and soon after Jarvis put the visitors into double points with a well-struck penalty from in front of the posts.

Club captain Tom Brown made a return to action from injury early in the second half and immediately made his presence felt with a juddering charge into the Esher defence that put Ealing Trailfinders firmly on the front foot.

Jarvis pulled two penalties wide, but Esher went down to 14 men when loose-head prop Dave Millard was penalised for standing up in the scrum. While he was off Ealing Trailfinders scored five more points when Pape grabbed his second in two matches from a rolling maul.

The third try came from a similar route after a clever grubber kick by Alex Walker forced Esher fullback into a sliced clearance that gave the visitors a lineout on their line. Brown took the catch and once more Ellis controlled the ball at the back of the maul before scoring.

Esher
Ali Chisholm, Andrew Wright, Oliver Richards, Tom Bedford, Spencer Sutherland, Stephen Boatman, Robbie Shaw; David Millard, Neil Sweeney, Cameron Zeiss, Oli Curry, Ian Kench, Cameron Gentiles, Harrison Collins, Brandon Walker
Reserves
David Simmons, Oli Mines, Jo Gardner, Tom Cheeseman, Mickey Wilson

Ealing Trailfinders
Matt Jarvis, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Ronnie McLean, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Jamie Kilbane, Alun Walker, Nathan Buck, Carwyn Jones, Llewelyn Jones, Red Pennycock, Arthur Ellis, Danny Kenny (captain)
Reserves
Andrei Radoi, Will Davis, Steve Pape, Tom Brown, James Love

Scorers
Esher
Tries (Chisholm 12)
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Ellis 5, 74, Pape 56), Conversions (Jarvis 6, Love 74), Penalties (Jarvis 44)

Referee – Phillip Davies