Ealing Trailfinders brought down the curtain on a memorable 2016-17 Greene King IPA Championship season in fine style with their first win away to Yorkshire Carnegie and their first win on a Friday night.
They left it late to win, but when it came it came in spectacular style. In the last play the team ran the ball the length of the pitch, from behind their own try-line to finish with Luke Peters powering his way over in the corner.
The move went through 26 phases, lasted four minutes, 23 seconds and covered 98m. There was a nervous wait as referee Tim Wigglesworth checked with the video referee, but when it came if allowed Ealing Trailfinders to peg back a Yorkshire Carnegie team who had scored all their points through the boot of the Leicester Tigers-bound fly-half Joe Ford.
While the winning score came in epic fashion, the result was founded on hard work, unity and another powerful showing from the pack who dominated their opposite numbers at the scrum and who won the first scrum against the head to set the tone for the rest of the evening.
Curtis Wilson put in a big hit on opposite wing Jonah Holmes to set the expected standard and then Alun Walker matched him with a strong carry into the Yorkshire defence to signal Ben Ward’s team’s intentions for the night.
Aaron Penberthy opened the scoring with a penalty after the Yorkshire pack were penalised for slowing the ball down and while the pack began to win penalties from the scrum, but despite twice kicking to the corner, Carnegie’s defence held out.
They then drew level when Ford kicked the first of his six penalties.
Ealing Trailfinders didn’t waste time to hit back though. Barney Maddison led a raid down the blindside and then off-loaded inside to Wilson, who finished the move for his second try in two weeks.
Ford landed another penalty for Yorkshire, but the half ended with Ealing Trailfinders camped on the host’s line. Three times they won a penalty from a scrum, but on the fourth the attack was snuffed out.
After half-time Yorkshire raised their intensity and Ford made it three from three early in the half. Will Harries then made a vital tackle on Holmes after he broke through and after Yorkshire flanker Ollie Steadman was sin-binned, Rayn Smid powered his way over to round off a good period of possession and territory for Ealing Trailfinders.
As the clock ticked past the hour mark Ealing Trailfinders’ fitness put them on top, but they were unable to find a way through scrambled Yorkshire defence. Ford’s fifth penalty drew them level and his sixth gave them the lead for the first time on the night.
With four minutes to go it appeared that the home side were on their way to their fifth victory in six meetings between the sides this season.
As the clock ticked into the red though, Ealing Trailfinders had one last chance and it was one they took in a fashion that will be talked about for many years to come.
Scorers
Yorkshire Carnegie
Penalties (Ford 21, 32, 44, 50, 72, 76)
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Wilson 24, Smid 61, Peters 80), Conversions (Penberthy 24), Penalties (Penberthy 11)
Yorkshire Carnegie
Chris Elder, Jonah Holmes, Andy Forsyth, Peter Lucock, Steve McColl, Joe Ford, Alex Davies; Lewis Boyce, Phil Nilsen, Sione Faletau, Ben West, Matt Smith, Ollie Stedman, Richard Mayhew, Ryan Burrows (captain)
Reserves
Mike Mayhew, Mike Cusack, Matt Beesley, Mike Myerscough, Richard Beck, Max Green, Max Wright
Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Curtis Wilson, Luke Peters, Joe Munro, Lewis Jones, Aaron Penberthy, Luke Carter; James Gibbons, Alun Walker, Lewis Thiede, Barney Maddison, Glen Townson, Kieran Murphy, Arthur Ellis, Mark Bright (capt)
Reserves
Rhys Lawrence, Will Davis, Alex Penny, Harry Casson, Rayn Smid, Chris York, Josh Davies
Referee – Tim Wigglesworth
Attendance – 2,216
Ealing Trailfinders were left with an 18-point deficit to make up when they travel to Headingley Carnegie Stadium next Friday after Yorkshire Carnegie ran in four tries to take the lead in the Greene King IPA Championship play-off semifinal at Vallis Way on Friday.
Will Harries and Curtis Wilson ran in tries in the second half, but by then Carnegie had already scored three tries in a nine-minute spell midway through the first half that gave them control of the match that they didn’t relinquish.
Harries also had a late effort referred to the TMO, but he ruled the he had been held up in goal and that was the last action on a frustrating night for Ben Ward’s team.
After the early exchanges when Joe Munro, Curtis Wilson and Kieran Murphy relished taking the play to Yorkshire, Rory Clegg opened the scoring with a penalty.
However, it didn’t take the visitors long to hit their stride and after Ben West and Matt Smith had carried well, Jonah Holmes ran in his first.
Three minutes later he scored his second when the bounce of the ball went his way and left him free to race clear. Alex Davies then made it three in nine minutes after he popped up on Joe Ford’s shoulder after the fly-half had intercepted in midfield and raced clear.
With the momentum with them Ford popped over a drop-goal as the half wore down and then opened the second half scoring with a penalty.
Just before the hour mark Ealing Trailfinders rallied and turned the momentum their way. Wings Phil Chesters and Wilson were stopped short of the line, but then Harries took advantage of a loose Ford clearance to race back, leave five men in his wake and score.
Wilson then forced his way over in the corner after the pack had begun to dominate the scrums.
Carnegie had the last word though as number 8 Ryan Burrows raced in off the back of a scrum before Harries made one last effort on the Yorkshire line.
Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Harries 57, Wilson 68), Penalties (Clegg 9, 63)
Yorkshire Carnegie
Tries (Holmes 22, 25, Davies 31, Burrows 76), Conversions (Ford 23, 26, 32, 77), Penalties (Ford 52), Drop Goal (Ford 36)
Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Curtis Wilson, Lewis Jones, Joe Munro, Phil Chesters, Rory Clegg, Luke Carter; James Gibbons, Alun Walker, Lewis Thiede, Barney Maddison, Glen Townson, Kieran Murphy, Rayn Smid, Mark Bright (captain)
Reserves
Matt Cornish, Will Davis, Alex Penny, Harry Casson, Arthur Ellis, Alex Walker, Aaron Penberthy
Yorkshire Carnegie
Chris Elder, Jonah Holmes, Andy Forsyth, Peter Lucock, Steve McColl, Joe Ford, Alex Davies; Lewis Boyce, Phil Nilsen, Sione Faletau, Ben West, Matt Smith, Ollie Stedman, Richard Mayhew, Ryan Burrows (captain)
Reserves
Mike Mayhew, Mike Cusack, Matt Beesley, Mike Myerscough, Richard Beck, Max Green, Max Wright
Referee – Ian Tempest
Attendance – 966
Ealing Trailfinders were given a taste of what they will face in the Greene King IPA Championship play-offs when Yorkshire Carnegie ran in five tries at Headingley.
Ben Ward’s side will now take on Carnegie in the play-offs after London Irish’s 22-5 defeat of Doncaster Knights ensured Ealing Trailfinders finished in third place.
Vallis Way will host the first leg on Friday 29 April, with the return at Headingley on Friday 5 May.
Defences started on top in the first 10 minutes, though the two scrum-halves – Max Green and Luke Carter – both showed a glimpse of their quality with line breaks that their teams were unable to capitalise on.
Another break from Carnegie wing Oli Goss also brought the crowd to their feet, before Will Harries stopped him. Subsequent attempts by their pack to drive over were then thwarted, but flanker Richard Beck eventually forced his way through.
Phil Chesters sent Carnegie number 8 Brandon Staples back with a fierce hit from the restart and soon after Aaron Penberthy struck a penalty to close the gap.
Neither team were really into their stride, with error often compounding error, though Beck turned provider after charging down Luke Carter’s kick to set up James Thraves to score from close range.
Ealing Trailfinders began to build some momentum and after their pack tried its luck from the lineout without success, they turned to the scrum and promptly won a penalty try after driving Carnegie’s forwards backwards.
After half-time it was Carnegie’s pack that flexed their muscles and shunted prop Matt Beesley over for their third try.
Penberthy brought Ealing Trailfinders to within a converted try when he scored his second penalty soon after, but Carnegie hit back with a slick counter-attack that finished with Chris Elder setting Andy Forsyth free to give his team the bonus point.
Carnegie continued to hold a firm grip on the match and Mayhew displayed some lovely footwork to work his way through for his second score.
Chris York and Willie Ryan were held up as Ealing Trailfinders rallied in the latter stages, but Ryan eventually went over when he drove off the back of a scrum.
Scorers
Yorkshire Carnegie
Tries (Beck 19, Thraves 33, Beesely 45, Mayhew 63, Forsyth 55), Conversions (Seals 19, 33, 55, 63)
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Penalty 38, Ryan 73), Conversions (Penberthy 38, Ryan 73), Penalties (Penberthy 27, 49)
Yorkshire Carnegie
Steve McColl, Chris Elder, Andy Forsyth, Pete Lucock, Oli Goss, Warren Seals, Max Green; Matt Beesley, Mike Mayhew, James Thraves, Dean Schofield, Dan Sanderson, Richard Beck, Andy Saull, Brandon Staples
Reserves
Jordon Poole, Lewis Boyce, Mike Cusack, Jack Whetton, Mike Myerscough, Sam Allan, Tom Bullough
Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Rhys Crane, Lewis Jones, Arthur Ellis, Phil Chesters, Aaron Penberthy, Luke Carter, James Gibbons, Alun Walker, Sam Rodman, Barney Maddison, Glen Townson, Chris York, Rayn Smid, Kieran Murphy
Reserves
Rhys Lawrence, Will Davis, Lewis Thiede, Willie Ryan, Luke Peters, Josh Davies, Rory Clegg
Referee – Matthew O’Grady
Attendance – 1,362
Ealing Trailfinders ran in 11 tries to book their place in the Greene King IPA Championship play-offs for the first time.
Arthur Ellis, Miles Mantella and Will Harries all scored a brace of tries and Rory Clegg added seven conversions and a penalty, while his first try in green and white brought up the four-try bonus.
The match was thrilling entertainment and the 3G pitch and sun belting down ensured both teams were given free rein to express themselves with the ball in hand and neither side failed to obliged.
It didn’t take long for the scoring to start when Clegg knocked over a penalty in the first half. Joe Munro, Alun Walker and Miles Mantella then ran in tries before the quarter-hour mark.
Munro was on the end of a counter-attack led by Phil Chesters and supported by Arthur Ellis. Walker was driven over from a rolling maul, while Mantella swooped on Clegg’s pass to touch down against his old club.
Ewan McQuillin opened Scottish’s account in similar fashion to Walker, but Ealing Trailfinders hit back immediately when Clegg finished off another backline move in the corner.
As Ealing Trailfinders continued to impose themselves on proceedings Ellis took a quick tap penalty to barge over and Walker was again driven over from a line out.
Scottish found their rhythm after the break and wing Jason Harries found space to find race clear. His namesake Will Harries then scored his first before Matt Marler made it three for Scottish.
Peter Lydon came off the bench and showed Ealing Trailfinders what they can expect when he joins next season by scoring just before the hour mark.
From then on though Ealing Trailfinders re-imposed themselves on the match and added four more. Ellis, Mantella and Harries all scored their second and as the clocked ticked down Josh Davies came off the bench and promptly rounded off yet another attacking move.
London Scottish enjoyed the last word to end a tough week at the Athletic Ground in positive mood when Alex Coombes raced home on the final whistle.
Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Munro 3, Walker 9, 31, Mantella 14, 71, Clegg 26, Ellis 34, 67, Harries 48, 77, Davies 79), Conversions (Clegg 3, 9, 31, 67, 71, 77, 79), Penalties (Clegg 1)
London Scottish
Tries (McQuillin 18, Harries 45, Marler 51, Lydon 57, Coombes 80), Conversions (Sheppard 18, 51)
Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Miles Mantella, Lewis Jones, Joe Munro, Phil Chesters, Rory Clegg, Luke Carter; Will Davis, Alun Walker, Lewis Thiede, Barney Maddison, Glen Townson, Kieran Murphy, Arthur Ellis, Mark Bright (captain)
Reserves
Matt Cornish, James Gibbons, Alex Penny, Carwyn Jones, Rayn Smid, Josh Davies, Aaron Penberthy
London Scottish
Craig Holland, Ben Rath, Robbie Fergusson (captain), Tom Galbraith, Jason Harries, Harry Sheppard, Ed Hoadley; Grant Shiells, Dan Koroi, Ewan McQuillin, Dom McGeekie, Alex Woolford, Matt Marley, Joe Atkinson, Dave Sisi
Reserves
Michael Liness, Jonny Harris, Phil Cringle, Alec Coombes, Josh Barton, George Cullen, Peter Lydon
Referee – Jack Makepeace
Attendance – 896
STORM Watches Man of the Match – Luke Carter
Ealing Trailfinders’ British and Irish Cup run came to an end at the semifinal stage against an emphatic Munster A side who had the match’s outstanding individual in flanker Conor Oliver.
He scored two of the home sides three tries and was a constant thorn in the side of Ben Ward’s team, whose points came from three Rory Clegg penalties.
Victory means the Irish province can now look forward to a final against either London Irish or Jersey Reds on the weekend of 22-23 April.
Early in the match Oliver had already shown a sign of what was to come when he raced deep into the Ealing Trailfinders half from a tapped penalty, but his teammates’ over-eagerness cost them when they were penalised for going off their feet at the ensuing ruck.
It also cost them at a lineout soon after when one of their pack was pinged for blocking just as their maul was beginning to roll.
Having spent a week training with the senior Munster squad, the A side were very much a team in the province’s traditional image. Rock-solid defence, rampant breakdown play, powerful pack and a fullback and wings comfortable under the high ball.
They also had a tricky fly-half in Bill Johnson and it was he who opened the scoring with a penalty before Oliver brought his influence to bear once more. His charge from the tail of a lineout set up great field position and after quick recycling centre Sam Arnold powered over.
Unfortunately, Bill Johnson’s night and season were brought to a premature end when he was stretchered off on the half-hour mark with a dislocated ankle and broken leg. It was a shame as he was enjoying a fine night and had already suffered a number of serious injuries in his nascent career that has featured a number of caps for Ireland’s U20 side.
By then Clegg had opened Ealing Trailfinders account after the pack had forced their opposite numbers to offend from a rolling maul.
David Johnson moved forward from fullback to replace his brother at pivot. He also took over kicking duties, which included converting their second try that came from a swift exchange between Oliver and scrumhalf John Poland that set the flanker free to score his first.
As half-time approached two Clegg penalties brought the visitors to within touching distance, but Oliver’s second soon after half-time gave Munster A control of the match and they were in no mood to let it slip.
David Johnson added another penalty, but from then on they were content to play the percentages, kick to the corner and apply pressure as Ealing Trailfinders tried to find a way through their well-drill defensive line.
Ealing Trailfinders Willie Ryan was held up over the line late in the match, but once again Munster A’s defence held out to underline why they were ranked as first seeds.
Scorers
Munster A
Tries (Arnold 20, Oliver 35, 44), Conversions (Bill Johnson 20, David Johnson 35), Penalties (Bill Johnson 16, 62)
Ealing Trailfinders
Penalties (Clegg 26, 38, 40)
Munster A
David Johnston, Dan Goggin, Sam Arnold, Cian Bohane (captain), Alex Wootton, Bill Johnston, John Poland; Peter McCabe, Kevin O’Byrne, Brian Scott, John Madigan, Darren O’Shea, Sean O’Connor, Conor Oliver, Robin Copeland
Reserves
Duncan Casey, Liam O’Connor, Rory Burke, Mark Chisholm, Gavin Coombes, Jack Stafford, Stephen Fitzgerald
Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Curtis Wilson, Lewis Jones, Luke Peters, Phil Chesters, Rory Clegg, Luke Carter; Will Davis, Alun Walker, Lewis Thiede, Llewelyn Jones, Glen Townson, Willie Ryan, Rayn Smid, Mark Bright (captain)
Reserves
Matt Cornish, James Gibbons, Sam Rodman, Harry Casson, Arthur Ellis, Josh Davies, Aaron Penberthy
Referee – Rhys Thomas
Attendance – 732
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