Ealing Trailfinders vs Richmond

Ealing Trailfinders got the 2017/18 British and Irish Cup off to the perfect start with a dominant 67-12 win over Richmond at Vallis Way.

Ben Ward’s side scored eleven tries and showed their attacking quality to begin the competition with a bonus-point win.

Four players crossed for two tries each, with a strong team effort giving the home crowd plenty of reason to celebrate.

It took just two minutes to break the deadlock with James Cordy Redden racing clear after a neat offload from Arthur Ellis, and it was the flanker who was next to score from close range after a number of phases near the try-line.

Luke Daniels crossed for a brace before half time to mark his first appearance of the season with two tries. The full-back showed great feet to beat the last defender for his first, before the ball was spun wide and he acrobatically dived in the corner to dot down impressively.

Storm man-of-the-match Will Harries also went over before the break with a long-range effort after a brilliant backs move to give the hosts a 29-0 lead at half-time.

Cordy Redden started the second half in the same fashion as the first half with a try after just three minutes. Harries made a break on the outside, and the ball was then recycled and the winger was on hand to run in unattended.

Harries then also got his second to put the West Londoners 39-0 up. Another backs move from the base of a scrum ended up in the Welshman’s hands, and he had enough pace to step the defender and score.

Richmond responded with a well-worked try of their own to get on the scoreboard through Luke Outhwaite, but Ealing scored two in quick succession to continue their dominance.

The first came from Lewis Jones straight from the re-start, with Lewis Robling gathering the ball and then passing to his centre parter who ran through to score.

Robling went over just two minutes later for try number nine of the afternoon. Debutant Shane O’Leary took the ball to the defence and then offloaded for Robling to stroll under the posts.

Richmond got their second with Ben Rath having the pace to run clear after a chip over the top from James Swan which cut the deficit to 53-12 on the hour mark.

There was still time for Alun Walker to come on and cross the line for two tries to round off the scoring.

The Scottish hooker continued his try-scoring form with two close range scores after a number of phases near the line, and O’Leary converted both to make the final score 67-12 before next weekend’s trip to Connacht in Round Two.

Ealing Trailfinders:

15 Luke Daniels 14 James Cordy-Redden 13 Lewis Jones 12 Lewis Robling 11 Will Harries 10 Aaron Penberthy (replaced by Shane O’Leary) 9 Grayson Hart (replaced by Calum Waters) 1 James Gibbons (replaced by Alex Lundberg) 2 Matt Cornish (replaced by Alun Walker) 3 Sam Rodman (replaced by Lewis Thiede) 4 Harry Casson (c) 5 Oli Curry 6 Rayn Smid 7 Arthur Ellis 8 Willie Ryan (replaced by Llewelyn Jones)

Replacements:

16 Alun Walker 17 Alex Lundberg 18 Lewis Thiede 19 Llewelyn Jones 20 Calum Waters 21 Shane O’Leary 22 Piers O’Conor

Scorers:

Tries: James Cordy Redden (2, 43 minutes) Arthur Ellis (8 minutes) Luke Daniels (29, 36 minutes) Will Harries (32, 46 minutes) Lewis Jones (55 minutes) Lewis Robling (58 minutes) Alun Walker (75, 80 minutes)

Conversions: Aaron Penberthy (8, 36 minutes) Shane O’Leary (55, 58, 75, 80 minutes)

Richmond:

15 Ali Chisholm 14 Ben Rath 13 Cameron Hudson 12 Rhys Owen 11 Luke Outhwaite 10 James Swan 9 Callum Grant 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke 2 Jamie Townsend 3 Joe Tarrant 4 Adam Lee 5 Max Crawford 6 Lorcan Dow 7 Tom Sargeant (c) 8 Harry Edwards

Replacements:

16 Richard Townsend 17 Gary Hamilton 18 Harry Innis 19 Lucien Maman 20 Chris Reakes 21 Simon Edwards 22 Cameron Holenstein

Scorers:

Tries: Luke Outhwaite (53 minutes) Ben Rath (61 minutes)

Conversions: Alastair Chisholm (61 minutes)

Match Officials:

Referee: Sara Cox

Assistant Referees: Mike Hudson & Simon McConnell

Fourth Official: Jeff Highcock

Half Time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 29 – 0 Richmond

Storm Man of the Match: Will Harries

Attendance: 647

Ealing Trailfinders vs Jersey Reds

Ealing Trailfinders got back to winning ways with a comprehensive 31-8 victory over Jersey Reds at Vallis Way.

The hosts dominated the match but lacked a clinical edge, however a 78th minute try from Peter Lydon secured a valuable bonus point to stay second in the Greene King IPA Championship.

Other scores from Alun Walker, Miles Mantella and Andrew Durutalo ensured that the West Londoners took the maximum points.

In a match which both sides failed to play with a huge amount of intensity due to a high error count, it was Ben Ward’s side who started strongly.

Alun Walker drove over the line from a rolling maul to score for the fifth consecutive match to give the hosts an early 7-0 lead after Lydon’s conversion on eight minutes.

Brendan Cope cut the deficit to 7-3 with a penalty from outside the 22, and the Jersey defence held firm until just before the break.

The hosts had a number of chances to extend the lead but the final pass wouldn’t stick as the opportunities passed by. Seb Stegmann made a break down the left wing, and the ball was spun inside to Piers O’Conor who was over the line but the ball juggled and was knocked on.

It looked as if Jersey would head in to half time trailing by just four points, but a try from Miles Mantella with the last play gave Ben Ward’s side breathing space.

A break out wide from Andrew Durutalo gave Ealing front-foot ball, and the ball was recycled to Mantella who dived over the line in the corner.

Lydon kicked a penalty four minutes in to the second half to extend the lead to 17-3, and Andrew Durutalo then scored his fifth try of the season to give his team a commanding advantage.

The American international drove over from close range under the posts, and Lydon converted to put the hosts 24-3 in front.

Ealing were chasing the bonus point and were guilty of over-playing at times with a number of handling errors, but they breathed a huge sigh of relief with just two minutes remaining as they finally went over for their fourth try.

Calum Waters took a quick tap penalty and raced away from the defence, before passing to Lydon who beat the final defender to dot down over the line.

There was still time for the re-start, and Jersey had the final word with Tom Pincus crossing the line with the final play of the match to give the Channel Islanders a consolation try.

That result means that the Vallis Way side have recorded 25 points from their first six Championship matches, and sit in second place before starting the British and Irish Cup campaign against Richmond next Saturday.

Ealing Trailfinders:

15 Peter Lydon 14 Miles Mantella 13 Piers O’Conor 12 Joe Munro 11 Seb Stegmann 10 Aaron Penberthy 9 Luke Carter (replaced by Calum Waters) 1 Will Davis (replaced by Djustice Sears Duru) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Matt Cornish) 3 Lewis Thiede (replaced by Mark Tampin) 4 Harry Casson (replaced by Llewelyn Jones) 5 Barney Maddison 6 Andrew Durutalo 7 Arthur Ellis (replaced by Rayn Smid) 8 Mark Bright (c)

Replacements:

16 Matt Cornish 17 Djustice Sears Duru 18 Mark Tampin 19 Llewelyn Jones 20 Rayn Smid 21 Calum Waters 22 Lewis Robling

Scorers:

Tries: Alun Walker (8 minutes) Miles Mantella (39 minutes) Andrew Durutalo (50 minutes) Peter Lydon (78 minutes)

Conversions: Peter Lydon (8, 39, 50, 78 minutes)

Penalties: Peter Lydon (44 minutes)

Jersey Reds:

15 Brendan Cope 14 Tom Pincus 13 Mark Best (replaced by Ellis Abrahams) 12 Apakuki Ma’afu 11 Jason Worrall 10 Oli Bryant 9 Joel Dudley (replaced by Kieran Hardy) 1 Roy Godfrey (c) 2 Nick Selway 3 Jake Armstrong 4 Jerry Sexton 5 Dave McKern 6 Rory Bartle 7 Seb Nagle-Taylor 8 Rory Pitman

Replacements:

16 Jack Macfarlane 17 Jake Woolmore 18 Alec Clarey 19 James Voss 20 Matt Rogerson 21 Kieran Hardy 22 Ellis Abrahams

Scorers:

Tries: Tom Pincus (80 minutes)

Penalties: Brendan Cope (15 minutes)

Match Officials:

Referee: Dean Richards

Assistant Referees: Chris Sharp & Darryl Chapman

Fourth Official: Jonathan Cook

Half Time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 14 – 3 Jersey Reds

Storm Man of the Match: Andrew Durutalo

Attendance: 595

Bristol Rugby vs Ealing Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders were denied a famous victory after a late comeback from Bristol saw the Greene King IPA Championship favourites secure a last gasp 32-23 victory at Ashton Gate.

Ben Ward’s side were dominant throughout in the set-piece and can feel extremely hard done-by to leave the West Country with nothing, after being denied a losing bonus-point with the last kick of the match.

The signs looked ominous early on with Ross McMillan opening the scoring for the hosts after just four minutes. A penalty was kicked to the corner, and the hooker drove over the line from the rolling maul to give Pat Lam’s side a 7-0 lead after Billy Searle’s conversion.

Peter Lydon, who was 100% from the tee throughout the match kicked his first penalty to cut the deficit to 7-3, but Searle responded with a penalty of his own to edge his team 10-3 in front.

Bristol, who looked to be in control of the match in the early stages scored their second try on the 15 minute mark. A neat play from the back of a scrum which saw Tom Varndell racing down the wing puzzled the Trailfinders’ defence, and the former England winger passed inside to Alapati Leiua who dived over the line in the corner. The conversion went wide, but Bristol held what looked to be a commanding 15-3 advantage.

From then on it was Ealing who had the majority of the possession and territory as they looked for a way back in to the match.

Luke Carter went within inches of scoring straight from the re-start but was denied by the television match official. A turnover gave Piers O’Conor loose ball in the midfield, and he stepped his way towards the line before offloading to Carter who was held up over the line by a number of Bristol defenders.

After a number of penalties at scrum-time the away side were continuously kicking the ball in to the corner, and it paid off just before the half-hour with Will Davis driving over the line. Sustained pressure in the 22 meant that the forwards were edging towards the line, and the former Bristol prop had enough power to bundle over from close range. Lydon converted and cut the deficit to 15-10.

Another successful penalty from Lydon meant that it appeared Ealing would head down the tunnel trailing by just two points, but a try right on half time meant that Bristol wrestled back control of the match.

Searle dummied in the midfield just outside the 22, and had All Black Steven Luatua on his inside shoulder who raced under the posts to give them a 22-13 half time advantage.

Nicky Thomas was sent to the sin-bin for the hosts just after the break after repeated infringements at the scrum, and Ealing capitalised straight away with a try from Alun Walker.

The scrum penalty was kicked to the corner, and from the lineout a rolling maul steered towards the line, allowing the Scottish hooker to dot down for the fourth match in a row. Lydon converted and cut the gap to just two points.

Another yellow card followed for Bristol with Max Crumpton shown his marching orders for a dangerous tackle, which meant that momentarily the hosts were down to just 13 men.

Piers O’Conor thought he’d scored after intercepting from 50 metres and racing clear to dive jubilantly under the posts, but play was called back for an earlier knock-on to cut short the celebrations.

Another penalty followed on 62 minutes, and Lydon stepped up from 45 metres to kick his team in to an impressive 23-22 lead.

The West Londoners were putting in a monumental defensive effort as they chased what would be a memorable victory, but a moment of brilliance with five minutes remaining proved to be the difference.

Matt Protheroe gathered the ball inside his half and set off on a run which saw him step a number of defenders and eventually offload to Rhodri Williams, who had a clear run to the try-line and allowed the 7,170 inside Ashton Gate a huge sigh of relief.

Searle converted to give Bristol a 29-23 lead, but Ealing refused to lie down and pushed for the winning try. They had plenty of possession but were unable to create a match winning moment and were penalised with 79 minutes on the clock.

Searle lined up the kick and was successful, agonisingly denying Ealing a losing bonus-point, for a performance which deserved a huge amount more but left the travelling supporters bursting with pride.

Bristol Rugby:

15. Jordan Williams; 14. Luke Morahan, 13. Alapati Leiua, 12. Tusi Pisi (c), 11. Tom Varndell; 10. Billy Searle, 9. Rhodri Williams; 1. Jack O’Connell, 2. Ross McMillan, 3. Nicky Thomas, 4. Joe Joyce, 5. Chris Vui, 6. Steven Luatua, 7. Dan Thomas, 8. Jack Lam.

Replacements:

16. Max Crumpton, 17. Soane Tonga’uiha, 18. Alex Giltrow, 19. Jordan Crane, 20. Andy Uren, 21. Will Hurrell, 22. Mat Protheroe.

Scorers:

Tries: Ross McMillan (4 minutes) Alapati Leiua (14 minutes) Steven Luatua (38 minutes) Rhodri Williams (73 minutes)

Conversions: Billy Searle (4, 38, 73 minutes)

Penalties: Billy Searle (11, 80 minutes)

Yellow Cards: Nicky Thomas & Max Crumpton

Ealing Trailfinders:

15 Peter Lydon 14 Seb Stegmann 13 Piers O’Conor 12 Lewis Robling 11 Miles Mantella 10 Aaron Penberthy 9 Luke Carter (replaced by Calum Waters) 1 Will Davis (replaced by James Gibbons) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Matt Cornish) 3 Lewis Thiede (replaced by Mark Tampin) 4 Glen Townson (c) (replaced by Harry Casson) 5 Barney Maddison 6 Rayn Smid (replaced by Dan Temm) 7 Andrew Durutalo 8 Mark Bright

Replacements:

16 Matt Cornish 17 James Gibbons 18 Mark Tampin 19 Harry Casson 20 Dan Temm 21 Calum Waters 22 Will Harries

Scorers:

Tries: Will Davis (28 minutes) Alun Walker (55 minutes)

Conversions: Peter Lydon (28, 55 minutes)

Penalties: Peter Lydon (8, 36, 66 minutes)

Match Officials:

Referee: Christophe Ridley

Assistant Referees: Matt O’Grady & Dean Richards

Fourth Official: Nick Marshall

Half Time Score: Bristol Rugby 22 – 13 Ealing Trailfinders

Attendance: 7170

Ealing Trailfinders vs London Scottish

Ealing Trailfinders scored 10 tries in a superb attacking display as they moved back to the top of the Greene King IPA Championship table with a 72-12 victory over London Scottish at Vallis Way.

Ben Ward’s side scored some fantastic tries as they put out a huge statement with their best performance of the season so far against the Exiles.

The first try of the afternoon came courtesy of Miles Mantella with five minutes on the clock. A long looping pass from Jake Sharp was read superbly by the winger, who intercepted and raced clear from the half way line to score. Peter Lydon’s first of six conversions gave his side an early 7-0 lead.

Four minutes later Lydon, who was voted Storm Man of the Match scored his first try for the club to extend the advantage. Joe Munro made some valuable metres in the midfield, and the ball was spun wide to the Irishman who picked a great line and ran through unattended.

London Scottish responded straight away and got back in to the match with a try from Craig Holland. Some neat hands with a number of offloads drew in the defence, and resulted in an overlap on the right wing which allowed Holland to dive over in the corner.

Alun Walker then scored for the third consecutive match to put the hosts back in control on the 20 minute mark. A penalty was kicked to touch and gave Ealing a five metre lineout, which drove towards the line and saw Walker break away to score.

Lydon extended the lead to 24-7 with a penalty, before Piers O’Conor continued his try-scoring form with another five pointer before the break. It was again his centre partenr Munro who was making metres in the middle, and with the ball recycled by the try-line O’Conor showed some neat footwork to step his defender and dive over the line.

That score secured the try bonus-point, and ensured that Ealing went in to half-time with a comfortable 31-7 lead.

Andrew Durutalo got the second half off to a flying start with a try on 44 minutes to widen the gap further. With the ball coming straight off the top of a lineout it found its way to the American international, who bulldozed his way through the defence and raced away from outside the 22 to score under the posts.

Club Captain Mark Bright then got the sixth try of the afternoon from a rolling maul, with it driving towards the line he managed to navigate his way to the try-line for a trademark score.

Two former Ealing players then combined well for the second Scottish try of the match. Alex Walker took a quick penalty, and after being hauled down just short it was spun to Danny Kenny who offloaded to Matt Eliet who was able to drive over the line from close range and cut the gap to 48-12.

With the bench then coming on and making a huge impact, the final 20 minutes were all about the hosts who showed their attacking capabilities with four more tries.

Rayn Smid dotted down after a brilliant one-two from Grayson Hart and Seb Stegmann on the fringes of the ruck opened up a huge amount of space for the back-rower to run through to the line to bring up the half century of points.

James Gibbons registered try number eight after bundling over the line from the fringes of a ruck, after an excellent offload from Lewis Robling on the wing to keep the move alive.

Seb Stegmann scored arguably the pick of the tries with a minute remaining. Aaron Penberthy’s perfectly measured cross-kick found the winger in the corner, and he stepped inside to fend off a number of defenders to score.

Aaron Penberthy’s first try of the season rounded off the scoring with the final play of the match. The Scots were looking to have the final say, but a pass was intercepted by Penberthy who ran clear from half way and marked the score with a jubilant dive over the try-line. The conversion went just wide, but the home fans were all celebrating a mightily impressive 72-12 victory.

Ben Ward’s men head to Bristol next Sunday in a top of the table clash on Sky Sports with renewed confidence after a morale-boosting performance.

Ealing Trailfinders:

15 Peter Lydon (replaced by Lewis Robling) 14 Seb Stegmann 13 Piers O’Conor 12 Joe Munro 11 Miles Mantella (replaced by Grayson Hart) 10 Aaron Penberthy 9 Luke Carter 1 Will Davis (replaced by James Gibbons) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Matt Cornish) 3 Lewis Thiede (replaced by Mark Tampin) 4 Glen Townson (c) (replaced by Llewelyn Jones) 5 Barney Maddison 6 Dan Temm (replaced by Rayn Smid) 7 Andrew Durutalo 8 Mark Bright

Replacements:

16 Matt Cornish 17 James Gibbons 18 Mark Tampin 19 Llewelyn Jones 20 Rayn Smid 21 Grayson Hart 22 Lewis Robling

Scorers:

Tries: Miles Mantella (6 minutes) Peter Lydon (9 minutes) Alun Walker (16 minutes) Piers O’Conor (29 minutes) Andrew Durutalo (44 minutes) Mark Bright (55 minutes) Rayn Smid (70 minutes) James Gibbons (74 minutes) Seb Stegmann (79 minutes) Aaron Penberthy (80 minutes)

Conversions: Peter Lydon (6, 9, 16, 30, 44, 56 minutes) Aaron Penberthy (70, 74 minutes)

Penalties: Peter Lydon (25, 51 minutes)

London Scottish:

15 Fraser Lyle 14 Connor Hayhow (replaced by Craig Holland) 13 Ross Neal 12 Ben Mosses 11 Nick Scott 10 Jake Sharp 9 Alex Walker 1 Derrick Appiah 2 Isaac Miller 3 Phil Cringle 4 Kyle Baillie 5 Tjiuee Uanivi 6 Danny Kenny 7 Joe Atkinson 8 Ed Milne

Replacements:

16 Pete Austin 17 Jonny Harris 18 Dino Waldren 19 Jonathan Mills 20 Matt Eliet 21 Ed Hoadley 22 Craig Holland

Scorers:

Tries: Craig Holland (13 minutes) Matt Eliet (60 minutes)

Conversions: Jake Sharp (13 minutes)

Match Officials:

Referee: Matthew O’Grady

Assistant Referees: Clare Daniels & Simon Adams

Fourth Official: Michael Hudson

Half Time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 31 – 7 London Scottish

Storm Man of the Match: Peter Lydon

Attendance: 1006

Ealing Trailfinders vs Bedford Blues

Ealing Trailfinders continued their 100% start to the season with an impressive 45-25 bonus-point victory over Bedford Blues at Vallis Way.

Ben Ward’s side put in their most complete performance of the campaign so far, scoring five tries to move to the top of the Greene King IPA Championship table.

The match started at a frantic pace, and James Cordy Redden opened the scoring after just three minutes to put Ealing ahead. Piers O’Conor stepped his defender on the half way line and then raced towards the try-line. The centre was hauled down just short of the line, but Cordy Redden dived over in the corner from the next phase. Peter Lydon, who had his kicking boots on throughout the afternoon converted from the touchline to extend the lead to 7-0.

Bedford came flying back just three minutes later, with Dean Adamson scoring two tries in two minutes to take the lead.

Firstly the winger found space on the left wing and used his pace to race clear in the corner, and two minutes later he was the beneficiary of a huge overlap to score again. Harry Sheppard converted one to give them a 12-7 advantage.

Ealing responded with a brilliant try from Piers O’Conor on the 15 minute mark. He received the ball 30 metres from the line, and side-stepped the last defender to score his first try of the season. The conversion from Lydon edged the hosts 14-12 in front.

Lydon and Sheppard then traded penalties, and the Bedford fly-half then kicked another three-pointer to put the Blues ahead as half time approached.

With one minute remaining the Trailfinders were awarded a penalty on the half way line, and Lydon dissected the posts to put his side 20-18 in front at the break.

The second half was much improved from the hosts, who pulled away from the Blues after dominating for large periods of the final 40 minutes.

Man of the Match Alun Walker scored for the second week running from a driving maul for Ealing’s third try of the match. The hooker broke away from the maul to dot down, with Lydon adding the extras.

The substitutes then added yet more intensity and it paid off with Barney Maddison securing the bonus point on 51 minutes. A lineout inside the Bedford 22 was taken, and after a number of phases the second-rower drove over the line to put the result beyond doubt, with the hosts holding a 34-18 advantage.

It got better for Ealing just five minutes later, with James Cordy Redden’s second try of the afternoon. Straight from the top of the lineout, the backs sprayed the ball through the hands and the winger was there to dive over the try-line in the corner straight from the first phase.

The returning Miles Mantella then broke the line as the hosts searched for a sixth try, and after his break with the ball inside the Bedford 22 a huge overlap on the wing left the 735 in attendance expecting another score but the ball was frustratingly knocked-on.

Lydon kicked his third penalty of the afternoon with 10 minutes remaining to extend the lead to 42-18, but Bedford responded with a try from scrum-half Jordan Burns who sniped over the try-line from close range.

Ealing closed out the match and ensured that the Blues wouldn’t register a try bonus point, with Lydon kicking another penalty in the last play of the game to record an emphatic 45-25 victory.

Ealing Trailfinders:

15 Peter Lydon 14 James Cordy Redden 13 Piers O’Conor 12 Joe Munro 11 Miles Mantella (replaced by Lewis Robling) 10 Aaron Penberthy 9 Luke Carter (replaced by Grayson Hart) 1 Will Davis (replaced by James Gibbons) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Matt Cornish) 3 Mark Tampin (replaced by Lewis Thiede) 4 Glen Townson (c) (replaced by Llewelyn Jones) 5 Barney Maddison 6 Dan Temm (replaced by Rayn Smid) 7 Andrew Durutalo 8 Mark Bright

Replacements:

16 Matt Cornish 17 James Gibbons 18 Lewis Thiede 19 Llewelyn Jones 20 Rayn Smid 21 Grayson Hart 22 Lewis Robling

Scorers:

Tries: James Cordy Redden (3, 55 minutes) Piers O’Conor (14 minutes) Alun Walker (47 minutes) Barney Maddison (53 minutes)

Conversions: Peter Lydon (3, 14, 47, 53, 55 minutes)

Penalties: Peter Lydon (21, 39, 67, 76 minutes)

Bedford Blues:

15. Chris Czekaj 14. Elliot Hill 13. Rich Lane 12. Michael Le Bourgeois (c) 11. Dean Adamson 10. Harry Sheppard 9. Lee Dickson 1. Sean McCarthy 2. Tom Lindsay 3. Alex Penny 4. Ed Taylor 5. Will Carrick-Smith 6. Alex Rae 7. Ben Adams 8. Jarad Williams

Replacements:

16. Jacob Fields 17. Camilo Parilli-Ocampo 18. Ben Cooper 19. Justin Blanchet 20. Jack Nay 21. Jordan Burns 22. James Wilson

Scorers:

Tries: Dean Adamson (6, 9 minutes) Jordan Burns (71 minutes)

Conversions: Harry Sheppard (6 minutes)

Penalties: Harry Sheppard (25, 30, 71 minutes)

Match Officials:

Referee: Steve Lee

Assistant Referees: Chris Sharp & Peter Allan

Fourth Official: Calum Howard

Half Time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 20 – 18 Bedford Blues

Attendance: 735

Storm Man of the Match: Alun Walker

Richmond vs Ealing Trailfinders

Ealing Trailfinders maintained their impressive start to the season with a 33-26 bonus point victory over Richmond at the Athletic Ground.

In what was a tense affair Ben Ward’s side secured the win but in similar fashion to last weekend they will feel like they made hard work of it and will want to improve before welcoming Bedford Blues to Vallis Way next Saturday.

Tries from Alun Walker, James Cordy Redden, Grayson Hart and Andrew Durutalo made sure that the West Londoners headed back over Kew Bridge with five points.

Rob Kirby and Peter Lydon traded early penalties to have the score level at 3-3 after 10 minutes, but further ill-discipline from the visitors gave Kirby another chance and he successfully put his side 6-3 ahead.

Ben Ward’s men then started to play with more purpose, and went ahead on the 20 minute mark with a try from Alun Walker. A five metre lineout gave them the perfect attacking opportunity, and with the maul driving towards the line, the hooker broke away to dive over the line in the corner. Lydon’s touchline conversion gave Ealing a 10-6 advantage.

It got better for the visitors five minutes later with a brilliant try from James Cordy Redden. Piers O’Connor made a great break through the middle, and the ball was then recycled just outside the Richmond 22. Andrew Durutalo took the ball up to the last defender and audaciously offloaded to Redden who was on the wing to race clear from 10 metres. The conversion went just wide, but the lead was extended to nine points.

Ealing were playing most of the attacking rugby and looked to take control of the match, but were left frustrated by some handling errors and were also penalised for crossing on two occasions.

That lead was cut to six with Kirby’s third penalty, before it was wiped out all together just before half time with a Richmond try. The home side had a number of phases on the try-line as they looked to go over, and spun the ball wide for Jordan Simpson-Hefft to run in the corner unattended.

The touchline conversion meant that Steve Hill’s team headed down the tunnel with a 16-15 lead at the break.

Ealing came out firing in the second half, and Grayson Hart put the visitors ahead after 47 minutes with a trademark scrum-half try. After peppering away at the try-line, Hart found a gap in the defence and dummied to dive over from close range.

Jono Woodward was sent to the sin-bin for Richmond after taking over Glen Townson in the air, and Ealing capitalised by securing the bonus point try.

A penalty meant that the Trailfinders had a five metre lineout, and despite being pulled down before the line it was popped up to Durutalo who used his power to smash his way over the defence and to the try-line. With Lydon’s conversion the lead was 27-16, but Richmond came back and refused to lie down.

They were awarded a penalty try on the hour mark to get themselves back in to the match. After breaking away from a scrum, Hart tackled his man with no arms which sent the referee under the posts, and also sent him to the sin-bin.

Lydon then edged Ealing seven points in front with his second penalty, but again the hosts came back firing.

They were inches away from scoring in the corner with seven minutes remaining, however a brilliant last ditch tackle meant that a foot was in touch.

Djustice Sears Duru then secured a much needed turnover with three minutes left when Richmond were pressing again. With one minute left on the clock a huge scrum from the forwards saw them awarded a penalty, and Lydon smashed it over the posts from the half-way line to put the result beyond doubt.

There was still time for a Rob Kirby penalty to ensure that Richmond secured a losing bonus point, but it was Ealing who left the Athletic Ground with a hard-fought 26-33 win.

Richmond:

15 Rob Kirby 14 Jono Woodward 13 Cameron Mitchell 12 Ronnie McLean 11 Jordan Simpson-Hefft 10 Freddie Gabbitass 9 Luc Jones 1 Jeremy Cunnew 2 Jason Phipps (replaced by Ross Grimstone) 3 Craig Trenier 4 Will Warden 5 Chris Davies 6 Jesse Liston 7 Jack Allcock 8 Jake Parker

Replacements:

16 Ross Grimstone 17 Will Goodrick-Clarke 18 Alex Humfrey 19 Jamie Gibbs 20 Ben Rath 21 Harry Edwards 22 Joe Tarrant

Scorers:

Tries: Jordan Simpson-Hefft (37 minutes) Penalty Try (61 minutes)

Conversions: Rob Kirby (37 minutes)

Penalties: Rob Kirby (6, 12, 30, 80 minutes)

Yellow Card: Jono Woodward

Ealing Trailfinders:

15 Peter Lydon 14 James Cordy-Redden 13 Piers O’Connor 12 Joe Munro (replaced by Lewis Robling)11 Seb Stegmann 10 Aaron Penberthy 9 Grayson Hart (replaced by Luke Carter) 1 Will Davis (replaced by Djustice Sears Duru) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Matt Cornish) 3 Mark Tampin (replaced by Sam Rodman) 4 Glen Townson (c) (replaced by Harry Casson) 5 Barney Maddison 6 Rayn Smid (replaced by Dan Temm) 7 Andrew Durutalo 8 Mark Bright

Replacements:

16 Matt Cornish 17 Djustice Sears Duru 18 Sam Rodman 19 Harry Casson 20 Dan Temm 21 Luke Carter 22 Lewis Rodling

Scorers:

Tries: Alun Walker (20 minutes) James Cordy Redden (24 minutes) Grayson Hart (47 minutes) Andrew Durutalo (57 minutes)

Conversions: Peter Lydon (20, 57 minutes)

Penalties: Peter Lydon (9, 68, 78 minutes)

Yellow Card: Grayson Hart

Match Officials:

Referee: Fergus Kirby

Assistant Referees: Nick Marshall & Roy Maybank

Fourth Official: Jack Sutton

Half Time Score: Richmond 16 – 15 Ealing Trailfinders

Attendance: 604

Ealing Trailfinders vs Cornish Pirates

Ealing Trailfinders began the 2017/18 season with a bonus-point victory after a nerve racking 29-28 win over Cornish Pirates at Vallis Way.

The hosts had a 29-16 lead after 43 minutes but were forced to defend for large periods of the second-half, and the Pirates will feel hard done by to head back to Penzance with just a losing bonus point.

Ben Ward’s side made the ideal start with a try after just three minutes. A break down the middle gave Ealing front-foot ball, and it was spun wide to Will Harries who raced clear from outside the 22 to give his team a 5-0 advantage. Peter Lydon’s touchline conversion extended the lead to 7-0.

Pirates fly-half Laurence May had his kicking boots on, and two penalties in quick succession cut the deficit to just one point with 15 minutes on the clock.

Man of the match Andrew Durutalo, who was outstanding throughout marked his debut with a try to edge Ealing further ahead. Straight from the top of a line-out the ball was passed to the USA international, and he used his force to run right through the middle of the defence and showed impressive pace to dive under the posts. Lydon’s conversion took the lead to 14-6, and it got better just two minutes later.

Some outstanding handling in the midfield saw the hosts race from their own 22 to the Pirates try-line, and after being hauled down just short the ball was spun wide. It went through the hands of the back-line, and Seb Stegmann dotted down in the corner. The conversion came back off the post, but the hosts now held a commanding 13 point lead.

Pirates responded straight away with a well-worked try from Kyle Moyle. The winger found space, and gathered his own grubber kick to score and bring his side back in to the match. May’s conversion cut the lead to just six points as we approached half time.

There was still enough time for Lydon and May both to slot penalties, and the sides went down the tunnel with the score reading 22-16.

The second half started in the same fashion as the first, with Ealing scoring after just three minutes.

The try bonus-point was secured through Durutalo’s second score of the match. The forwards drove towards the line, and the flanker again used his strength to dive over his opposite number and score under the posts. Lyon converted to extend the lead to 29-16.

The Pirates refused to lie down and five minutes later Tom Lawday scored from close range after they kicked a penalty to within five metres of the try-line, which was then converted by May.

For the following 25 minutes it was the men from Penzance who were peppering away at the Ealing try-line, and only some outstanding defence denied them a number of tries.

With five minutes remaining the Pirates finally got another try to cut the deficit to just a single point. Toby Freeman went over after a number of phases on the line, and the conversion could have given them a one point advantage. However it flashed to the right of the posts, and gave the hosts a narrow 29-28 lead.

For the final stages Ealing showed excellent game management and kept the ball amongst the forwards to see out what was a nail-biting match, but eventually secured a bonus point victory to get the season off to a positive start.

Ealing Trailfinders:

15 Peter Lydon (replaced by Luke Carter) 14 Will Harries (replaced by Lewis Robling) 13 Piers O’Connor 12 Joe Munro 11 Seb Stegmann 10 Aaron Penberthy 9 Grayson Hart 1 Will Davis (replaced by Djustice Sears Duru) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Matt Cornish) 3 Mark Tampin (replaced by Sam Rodman) 4 Glen Townson (c) 5 Barney Maddison 6 Rayn Smid 7 Andrew Durutalo 8 Mark Bright

Replacements:

16 Matt Cornish 17 Djustice Sears Duru 18 Sam Rodman 19 Harry Casson 20 Dan Temm 21 Luke Carter 22 Lewis Robling

Scorers:

Tries: Will Harries (3 minutes) Andrew Durutalo (23, 43 minutes) Seb Stegmann (27 minutes)

Conversions: Peter Lydon (3, 23, 43 minutes)

Penalties: Peter Lydon (36 minutes)

Cornish Pirates:

15, Toby May, 14 Alex O’Meara, 13 Dan Koster, 12 Nicolas De Battista, 11 Kyle Moyle, 10 Laurence May, 9 Alex Day; 1 Marlen Walker, 2 Tom Cowan-Dickie, 3 Jack Andrew, 4 Chris Morgan (c), 5 Toby Freeman, 6 Rupert Cooper, 7 Alex Cheesman, 8 Tom Lawday.

Replacements:

16 Christian Judge, 17 Billy Keast, 18, Josh Caulfield, 19 Dan Lee, 20 Mike Pope, 21 Will Cargill, 22 Pete Laverick.

Scorers:

Tries: Kyle Moyle (33 minutes) Tom Lawday (48 minutes) Toby Freeman (77 minutes)

Conversions: Laurence May (33 minutes)

Penalties: Laurence May (10, 15, 40, 48 minutes)

Match Officials:

Referee: Greg Macdonald

Assistant Referees: Darryl Chapman & Greg Garner

Fourth Official: Jack Lewars

Half Time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 22 – 16 Cornish Pirates

Attendance: 650

Storm Man of the Match: Andrew Durutalo

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