Tensions were high at Vallis Way and that was reflected on the field in a cagey opening few minutes. Steven Shingler scored the first points of the match as he converted a penalty from in-front of the posts.
It didn’t take long for Coventry to hit back. Ealing Trailfinders tried to work the ball wide from a line-out, however after some loose handling Coventry managed to pick the ball off the ground, it was passed to Josh Barton who ran in from fifty metres.
Midway through the first half, Reuben Bird-Tulloch made an exceptional break, leaving the Coventry defence behind him, he was brought down in the 22 and the Coventry players illegally slowed the ball at the break down. This gave Shingler the opportunity to convert the penalty into points, and he did.
The away side thought they had scored their second try of the afternoon when they set up a line-out drive and spotted a gap down the blindside. However, the referee decided there was crossing after conferring with the touch judge, this allowed Ealing to clear their lines and relieve the pressure.
Coventry extended their lead just before half-time through the boot of Tony Fenner, giving them a four point advantage at the break.
Half-Time – Ealing Trailfinders 6 Coventry Rugby 10
Alex Rae’s men managed to pick up where they left off in the first half. Some great handling and offloads allowed them to break into Trailfinders’ 22 and they were awarded a penalty. Fenner once again converted from the tee. Ten minutes later, Shingler managed to close the gap back to four points with a penalty.
With twenty minutes to play, Bird-Tulloch was at it again, dancing through the Coventry defence to get Trailfinders within five metres of the try line. Ealing were awarded a penalty and Matt Gordon was stood over the ball ready for a tap and go. He managed to muscle his way over the line, scoring the first try of the afternoon for the West Londoners, Shingler adding the extras.
Ealing managed to get one hand on the trophy when a penalty from Craig Willis extended their lead to six points with just seven minutes to play at Trailfinders Sports Club.
It was a nerve-racking ending for the home fans fans as Coventry were awarded a penalty when the clock was in red. They needed seven points to win the game, so had to kick towards the corner. Great maul defence from the home side meant Coventry had to use and Ealing won a penalty for holding on at the breakdown.
This completed a historic league and cup double for Ealing Trailfinders in their 150th year as a club.
Full Time – Ealing Trailfinders 19 Coventry Rugby 13
Ealing Trailfinders secured their place in the Championship Rugby Cup Final after a victory against Cornish Pirates at Trailfinders Sports Club in the Semi-Final.
Both sides knew the importance of this fixture as it was not a two-legged match, unlike previous rounds in the cup competition. It was a cagey opening first quarter at Vallis Way, where neither side could really get a foot hold in the game.
Cam Terry scored the first try of the match, from a thirteen-man rolling maul, it worked against Ampthill last Saturday and worked against Cornish Pirates this weekend.
Pirates didn’t take long to hit back through Rus Tuima, the man on loan from Exeter Chiefs powered over from close range.
Ealing Trailfinders second try was almost identical to their first. Cam Terry came up with the ball once again after almost the whole team had joined the maul.
Reuben Bird-Tulloch played a big part in the home sides next try, he side stepped his opposite number to set up a two-on-one and popped the ball to David Johnston to score in the corner.
The clock was in red at the end of the first forty, but Trailfinders were not done yet. The ball was moved into midfield from a line-out. Jordan Burns was waiting back on the blindside at first receiver, he spotted a gap and burst through the defence to dot down for Ealing’s fourth try of the half.
Half-Time – Ealing Trailfinders 26 Cornish Pirates 7
Steven Shingler scored a penalty to extend Ealing Trailfinders’ lead at the start of the half, however Cornish Pirates came back firing.
Just three minutes later, Syd Blackmore crashed over from a rolling maul to give Pirates some hope. Then it was the turn of John Stevens to add himself to the scoresheet, the Pirates replacement scored from a pick and go after multiple phases on Trailfinders’ line.
George Davis won a scrum penalty for the home side which managed to halt Pirates’ momentum. Ealing Trailfinders took the quick tap and set up a rolling maul, however this time they couldn’t break over Pirates’ line. The ball was moved to the blindside where Steven Shingler created an overlap for Charlie Walker to dot down in the corner.
Pirates still would not lie down, Lewis Pearson scored their third try of the half. After multiple phases in midfield, the away side spotted an overlap on the right wing. The ball was worked out to the blindside flanker who cantered in from twenty metres.
Unfortunately for Cornish Pirates, their second half resurgence was not enough and it is Ealing Trailfinders who progress through to the final next weekend.
Full Time – Ealing Trailfinders 36 Cornish Pirates 26
Ealing Trailfinders secured a place in the Championship Cup semi-final after their victory against Ampthill at Trailfinders Sports Club.
Ealing Trailfinders had a ten point cushion coming in to this game, after winning at Dillingham Park last weekend. However, Ampthill were quick to cut their deficit to just three points after scoring the opening try of the match inside fifteen minutes. Theo Dan got himself on the scoresheet after a powerful rolling maul from the away side, just after Harry Dugmore had been sent to the sin bin as Trailfinders had given away multiple penalties.
The hosts didn’t take long to bounce back from going behind. Charlie Walker put the pressure onto Ampthill with an outstanding 50 22. This gave the forwards an opportunity to test Ampthill’s maul defence. With a total of thirteen Ealing players in the maul, they proved too strong and Cam Terry came up with the try.
Just five minutes later, it was that man again. Cam Terry scored his second of the game and once again the majority of the Ealing backline had joined the maul to help the pack power over.
Kyle Whyte dotted down for Trailfinders’ third. It was turning into a great afternoon for the front row. David Johnston hit a great line on the inside of Shingler making thirty metres, but got stopped just five metres out. He tried to offload and the ball hit the ground where Kyle Whyte was on hand to pick up and dive over.
Half-Time – Ealing Trailfinders 21 Ampthill 7
Ampthill began the second half as brightly as they started the first. After some nice handling they worked the ball wide, allowing Ben Cambriani to touch down in the corner.
The away side were not willing to lie down and came out strong once again. After five minutes of attack on Ealing’s line, the home side managed to come up with the turnover, relieving huge amounts of pressure. It was then Charlie Walker’s time to shine with an outstanding solo effort. He broke through the defensive line before chipping the ball over the full-back to collect and score.
The West Londoners’ quality began to show the longer the match went on, Gary Porter was on hand to crash over after multiple pick and go phases from the Ealing pack. Just five minutes later, Porter was at it again. Trailfinders quick tapped and set up a rolling maul, allowing the South African to score.
Charlie Walker once again showed his quality to score Ealing’s seventh try of the game. He was passed the ball on the wing and sidestepped three players to be able to dot down underneath the sticks.
Despite the tie starting to get away from Ampthill, replacement Tom Hudson’s forty metre run in after some intricate passing managed to gain his side another five points.
The last act of the game would see a final try for the hosts. Matt Gordon burrowed his way over from just a couple of metres out after sustained pressure on the Ampthill line.
Full-Time – Ealing Trailfinders 56 Ampthill 24
Ealing Trailfinders secured a vital win away from home this afternoon in the first leg of the Championship Rugby Cup Quarter-Finals at Ampthill.
It had been exactly a month since Trailfinders had taken to the field following their Championship title-winning victory over Richmond in West London, and despite a number of changes, once again they ran out winners at Dillingham Park.
The game didn’t start the way Ben Ward’s side would have wanted, though, as Ampthill made the most of some early pressure and well-worked play to score the first points of the tie. A 50 22 saw them pile the heat on the Trailfinders defence, and before they knew it, a strong set-piece saw Jamie Jack burrow his way over the try line.
It was a wake-up call that Trailfinders needed, and they sprung back into action as the backs worked the ball out wide to find David Johnston, who skipped around the last defender to score the first for the travelling side.
Just five minutes later, Trailfinders were at it again, this time Cam Terry making his starting debut, crashed over at the back of a rolling maul, Steven Shingler adding the extras.
It was the start of a purple patch for the West Londoners, and before they knew it, they were in again. Some great defence play from Jack Digby, incepting an Ampthill kick, saw him break free, making up a lot of ground. The ball was recycled before Charlie Walker was found out wide to score the third of the afternoon.
Half-Time Ampthill 7 – Ealing Trailfinders 19
The second half kicked off as the first started, with big battles across the field, leaving no score for the opening 10 minutes. Ampthill were however penalised shortly after as Harvey Beaton was sent to the sin bin for collapsing the scrum inside their 22. Moments later, the ball was worked out wide to James Cordy-Redden, who showing a clean pair of heels, beat the Ampthill defender to dot down in the corner.
Shortly after, Ampthill would hit back, this time Theo Vukasinovic, the man to score the home side’s points.
Narrowing the gap, the men of Dillingham Park smelt blood, and several minutes of dominant possession later, they would be over again, this time being awarded a penalty try, moments after Trailfinders James Gibbons was sent to the sin bin after a number of penalties were given away.
With the cup tie poised and just three points between the two sides, the game was on a knife-edge, however, with five minutes to go, Reuben Bird-Tulloch was on hand to show some nifty feet, darting back inside and beating his man to score, Shingler adding the extras to secure a 10-point lead going into the second leg at Trailfinders Sports Club next Saturday.
Full Time Ampthill 21 – Ealing Trailfinders 31
Simon UZOKWE (7) of Ealing Trailfinders is awarded the Man of the Match after the Greene King IPA Championship match between Ealing Trailfinders and Richmond at Castle Bar , West Ealing , England on 2 April 2022. Photo by David HornThe biggest rivalries bring out the biggest occasions, and a Championship Rugby finale between Ealing Trailfinders and Richmond with the men in green and white looking to lift their first Championship title, was the perfect latest instalment in this local clash.
Trailfinders went into the game knowing that a win or bonus-point draw would see them crowned champions, and the home side got off to the perfect start winning a penalty from the scrum at Richmond’s 10 metre. Willis kicked to the corner and the forward did the rest of the work with Simon Uzokwe firing his way over.
Moments later another strong scrum from Trailfinders saw Richmond once again penalised, a dominant opening few minutes for the men of Vallis Way.
Penalty after penalty came for the home side and midway through the first half Uzokwe would power his way over the line to score his second of the tie.
The start of the game was just what Trailfinders would have been looking for, showing great physicality to fire out of the blocks.
23 minutes on the clock and the third try was up for the home side, with a scrum at Richmond’s 5 metre, Craig Hampson with the show and go glided over the try line to score.
You’d think the Trailfinders might stop to take a breath, but just a matter of minutes later link play between Luke Daniels and Max Bodilly saw the Cornishman skip over for the bonus-point score.
Richmond weren’t going to go down without a fight though as at the half an hour mark club Captain and former Trailfinders Mark Bright scored on his 201st Championship appearance for his side’s first points of the afternoon.
It was a fifth by half-time with a great break by George Davis saw the ball recycled back for Rayn Smid to dot down for his sixteenth try of the campaign.
Half-Time Ealing Trailfinders 29 – Richmond 5
5 minutes into the second half and Trailfinders were back to their firing ways, Hampson feeding in Bodilly for his fifth try of the season.
Another forced error ten minutes later saw replacement Steven Shingler able to put the forwards in a great position to add to their lead, the line out running smoothly the ball was offloaded to Uzokwe completing his hat-trick mid-way through the second half.
With just over 10 minutes left on the clock, Trailfinders were once again deep inside the Richmond half. Great hands across the backline say Luke Daniels fed in on the wing after a lovely tip on by David Johnston to score.
There was still time for another score when another stripped ball saw the men in green and white go on the rampage once again, great handling from replacement Jack Digby saw Reuben Bird-Tulloch go through, being tackled he offloaded for Angus Kernohan to scoop up the ball and score.
Kernohan was soon at the double just moments later, once again put into space in the corner beating his man to dot down.
Richmond would have the last say, but it was to be only a consolation as their rolling maul finally got them their second of the game.
Full Time Ealing Trailfinders 60 – Richmond 10
A result that will go down in the Ealing Trailfinders history books, victory today meaning that the club lifted it’s first ever Championship Rugby trophy. A momentus moment for all involved with the club, we can’t thank you enough for your fantastic support.
Ealing Trailfinders
Starting XV –
1 Kyle Whyte
2 Jan-Henning Campher
3 George Davis
4 Bobby de Wee
5 James Cannon
6 Max Northcote-Green
7 Simon Uzokwe
8 Rayn Smid
9 Craig Hampson
10 Craig Willis
11 Luke Daniels
12 Pat Howard
13 Max Bodilly
14 Angus Kernohan
15 David Johnston
Replacements –
16 Cam Terry
17 Dylan Smith
18 Harry Seward
19 Simon Linsell
20 Jack Digby
21 Jordan Burns
22 Steven Shingler
23 Reuben Bird-Tulloch
Richmond
Startin XV:
1. Jonny Harris
2. James Hadfield
3. Jimmy Litchfield
4. Henri Williams
5. Will Carrick Smith
6. Huw Worthington
7. Jared Cardew
8. Mark Bright (C)
9. Callum Watson
10. Ted Landray
11. Jake Caddy
12. Ronnie Mclean
13. Craig Duncan
14. Alex Goble
15. Will Kaye
Replacements :
16. Callum Torpey
17. Luke Spring
18. Ntinga Mpiko
19. Sam Collingridge
20. Ethan Benson
21: Alex Crocker
22: Monty Bradbury
23. Owain James
Cornish Pirates were in town for the rescheduled Championship Rugby Round 14 clash on Saturday afternoon, a game which would see second place face third with just two games of the season remaining.
Both sides went into the game knowing that winning both remaining games would see them crowned champions.
The game started in an expected fast fashion, with both sides looking to make their mark early on; Trailfinders were applying pressure just moments into the game; however, a turnover by Pirates winning the ball at the breakdown, allowed them to clear to touch and relieve pressure inside their half.
The pressure continued to come though, and before they knew it, a penalty was won by the home side as the ball was knocked forwards by Pirates at their 10 metre. Craig Willis decided to go for the posts looking for points and was successful with his kick to take an early lead.
A quarter of an hour down, and Trailfinders would have their first score of the game, after Craig Hampson managed to find space, racing away in a two on one. He went onto feed in Bobby de Wee, who raced home to score the first try of the afternoon. Willis adding the extras through the boot.
Just moments later, a big scrum by the Trailfinders pack, after Pirates had won a scrum just inside the Trailfinders half, saw Willis kicked to touch from the penalty, deep inside the Pirates 22; after some forceful work by the forwards, Craig Hampson picked up the ball with some more great footwork to weave his way through the Pirates defence to dot down.
Midway through the half, the men in green and white would extend their lead once again. As the forwards went through the phases, the ball was worked back to Willis, who sent a looping pass over to Max Bodilly, who in acres of space sprints home to score.
Just over half an hour was on the clock, and the bonus point was secured. Another well-worked move saw Jan-Henning Campher put through; bouncing off his tackler, he powered his way over the try line. Willis making it five from five with the boot.
In what was a forceful first-half display by Trailfinders, Pirates looked shellshocked but did however manage to get points of their own on the board, when in the last play of the half made the most of a loose ball they won a penalty. Kicking to the corner the forwards did the rest and the rolling maul saw Tom Channon over the line.
Half-Time Ealing Trailfinders 31 – Cornish Pirates 7
Another half in the sunshine lay in wait as Pirates kick-off was spilt forward by Trailfinders. Pirates had earnt a scrum just inside Trailfinders 22, and after going through the phases to make it inside Trailfinders 5 metre, they worked the ball wide as Robin Wedlake was found in space on the wing to dot down.
Trailfinders would halt the attack moments later, Craig Willis knocking over a penalty after he won the advantage at the breakdown.
Moments later, and it was Willis who would prove a key cog in the Trailfinders wheel once again, as looking to open the field he launched the ball over to Angus Kernohan who rode his tackler to get over the line.
Late Pirates tries from Syd Blackmore and Carwyn Penny gave the away side hope; however another late penalty from Craig Willis was to all but killed the game.
The final moments were made up of almost moments for both sides, but in the end, it would be Ealing Trailfinders who took the win, in a key fixture in their campaign.
Full-Time Ealing Trailfinders 44 – Cornish Pirates 24
Ealing Trailfinders
Starting XV –
1 Kyle Whyte – West London Fitness
2 Jan-Henning Campher – Ikon Dental
3 Lewis Thiede – Ebstone Kitchens
4 Bobby de Wee – Harrison’s Deli
5 James Cannon – Colin Bibra
6 Max Northcote-Green – Lords Builders Merchant
7 Simon Uzokwe – Higgins Mechanical Services
8 Rayn Smid – The Green Army
9 Craig Hampson – Nabarro Chartered Accountants
10 Craig Willis – G & D Higgins
12 Pat Howard – Arnold Hill
13 Max Bodilly – The Brewer Family
11 Luke Daniels – 1 Ugly Crazy Robot
14 Angus Kernohan – Col’s Corner
15 David Johnston – Michael Jackson
Replacements –
16 Cam Terry
17 Dylan Smith – Ikon Dental
18 George Davis – The Turmeric Co
19 Barney Maddison
20 Simon Linsell – Geoff and the back row
21 Jordan Burns – Rhidian Jones
22 Steven Shingler
23 Jack Digby
Cornish Pirates –
Starting XV –
1 Marlen Walker
2 Tom Channon
3 Alfie Petch
4 Josh Caulfield
5 Danny Cutmore
6 Matt Bolwell
7 Antonio Kiri Kiri
8 Tom Duncan ©
9 Alex Schwarz
10 Arwel Robson
11 AJ Cant
12 Joe Elderkin
13 Tommy Wyatt
14 Robin Wedlake
15 Carwyn Penny
Replacements –
16 Syd Blackmore
17 Jack Andrew
18 Sam Rodman
19 Corey Teague
20 Will Gibson
21 Tom Kessell
22 Shae Tucker
23 Callum Sirker
Ealing Trailfinders travelled up the M1 on Saturday afternoon to face Ampthill in Round 20 of the Championship Rugby season.
Looking to keep pressure on Doncaster Knights, who lead the league, the West Londoners made the trip looking to make it six wins on the bounce away from home.
It was the perfect start for Ben Ward’s men, as with just 4 minutes on the clock, early pressure saw Trailfinders within the Ampthill danger zone. Multiple phases later from the pack and the ball was worked out wide, finding Angus Kernohan, who would skip over the try line for the first score of the tie. Craig Willis adding the extras with the boot.
The title-chasers were in hot pursuit of continuing their fine away form, and midway through the half, their lead was doubled. With the Trailfinders pack looking to maul their way towards the try line, Ampthill’s Jac Arthur came in and took down the maul illegally. The referee has only one decision in mind, as he awarded a penalty try and sent Arthur to the sin bin.
Fourteen points to the good, things had started just the way Trailfinders would have wanted, but Ampthill were fighting hard to stay in every battle. In an end to end second period in the first half, both sides were guilty of making mistakes which caused them to lose great attacking opportunities.
Ampthill keeping up the pressure, would finally hit back before the break, making the most of a penalty; their lineout worked efficiently, seeing hooker Theo Dan dot down.
Half-Time Ampthill 5 – Ealing Trailfinders 14
Coming out after the break, another fast start saw Trailfinders adding points to the scoreboard once again. Another fine piece of work by the forwards got the travelling side within Ampthill’s 5 metre. This time it was Simon Uzokwe who would apply the finishing touch to extend his side’s lead.
Midway through the second half, the bonus point was secured when more powerful phases saw Craig Willis go close, when he looked to make a break through the Ampthill defence. The ball was then quickly recycled by Craig Hampson, who would feed the ball to Rayn Smid, firing his way over the try line.
The icing was well and truly put on the cake when with a quarter of an hour left on the clock, Kernohan was in for his second of the game. Quick hands seeing him put in on the right wing once again, diving down to score in the corner. Willis making it four from four from the tee.
All that was left with moments in the game was for replacement Steven Shingler to slot home a penalty after Ampthill were penalised just outside of their 5 metre.
Another impressive win on the road for the Trailfinders, as they look forward to a mouth-watering clash against Cornish Pirates in two weeks time.
Full Time Ampthill 5 – Ealing Trailfinders 38
Ampthill starting XV
1. Jamie Jack
2. Theo Dan
3. Aleki Lutui
4. Charlie Beckett ©
5. Cai Devine
6. Jac Arthur
7. Josh Smart
8. Ollie Stonham
9. Lewis Finlay
10. Jack Bergin
11. Josh Skelcey
12. Jordan Venter
13. Charlie Hudson
14. Josh Gillespie
15. Joe Goodchild
Replacements:
16. Jack Dickinson
17. Arthur Cordwell
18. Rob Hardwick
19. Matt Wilkinson
20. Paddy Ryan
21. Gavin Williams
22. Russell Bennett
23. Tom Hudson
Ealing Trailfinders Starting XV –
1 Kyle Whyte
2 Jan-Henning Campher
3 Lewis Thiede
4 Bobby de Wee
5 James Cannon
6 Max Northcote-Green
7 Simon Uzokwe
8 Rayn Smid
9 Craig Hampson
10 Craig Willis
11 Luke Daniels
12 Pat Howard
13 Max Bodilly
14 Angus Kernohan
15 David Johnston
Replacements –
16 Cam Terry
17 Dylan Smith
18 George Davis
19 Barney Maddison
20 Simon Linsell
21 Jordan Burns
22 Steven Shingler
23 Jack Digby
Ealing Trailfinders made the short trip south to The Rag on Saturday afternoon to face London Scottish in their rescheduled Championship Rugby West London derby.
Looking to bounce back from defeat last week, the men in green and white were aiming to come out firing and gain precious points on the road, as the club look to push for the Championship title with just four games remaining.
It was the home side that enjoyed possession for the opening spell; however just a couple of minutes into proceedings, Simon Linsell was on hand to block an attempted grubber by the Scottish attack. The ball would see Luke Daniels collect, shrugging off his tackler; he broke free to score, fly-half Craig Willis adding the extras.
Just five minutes later, Trailfinders worked the ball well inside Scottish’s 22 with a group of dominant forward carries, being brought down 5 metres out; a loose ball was then picked up by Bobby de Wee, who looped an offload onto the wing where Rayn Smid was found, beating one man and taken down by the other, he showed great physicality to reach over the line and dot down. Before they knew it, an early lead opened up for the Trailfinders in a must-win game.
Scottish looked to bounce back shortly after, showing some initiative with a clever chip and go, which saw their attack pin Trailfinders inside their own 22. The subsequent line out was to lead to nothing, though, as Trailfinders defence would win a penalty at the breakdown through de Wee.
Less than 15 minutes on the clock, and it was a third for Trailfinders and a second of the afternoon for Daniels. Another powerful line break by Smid saw the ball offloaded, Craig Hampson picking up the pass only to feed in Daniels, who unopposed dotted down between the sticks once again.
It was just the start that Trailfinders were looking for, and within half an hour, the bonus point was secured. The ball worked from byline to byline, leading to a line break; this time by de Wee. The ball was then spun back to Max Bodilly, who would feed in Pat Howard in space on the wing to dot down for the bonus-point score.
Scottish had put up a real fight; however, another penalty conceded at the scrum saw the men in green and white run in once again before the break. A powerful first-half performance rewarded as a rolling maul from the line out after a won scrum at the halfway saw Smid dotting down for the second time in the tie, after the backs came in to drive the pack over the whitewash.
Half-Time London Scottish 0 – Ealing Trailfinders 29
Looking to start the second half where they left off, Trailfinders stripped the ball from Scottish hands at the halfway line; working play out to the wing saw Bodilly once again make metres well into the Scottish half. Phases later, a well-sold dummy by Craig Willis saw him just metres away from the try line before offloading to Lewis Thiede, who, whilst being tackled, found David Johnston free to fight his way over and score the travelling sides sixth of the game.
In what was becoming a full force Trailfinders performance, hard work once again by the Trailfinders forwards saw Simon Linsell fire his way over and dot down.
Scottish showed early attacking promise, but the game was all Trailfinders, and after only being on the pitch for a matter of minutes, Jordan Burns scored his first try of the afternoon. In an attempted snipe around the ruck, he was held up in the tackle by the feisty London Scottish defence. It wasn’t until his teammates arrived that they managed to force him over the line, bringing an immediate impact to his arrival.
Midway through the second half, Smid was to go over for his Hat-Trick. Another well-worked line out saw the attack go through the phases before another dominant carry by the eight saw his score once again.
Moments later, Ealing Trailfinders turned the ball over once again, while London Scottish were on the attack in Trailfinders 22. Jordan Burns spotted a gap down the blindside and showed blistering pace to break free. The covering defence tried to stop him, but he stepped around their backtracking full-back and dived over the line.
As we moved into the final quarter of the game, Angus Kernohan found space down the righthand side and chipped the ball over the full-back and regathered but was brought down just 5 metres out. The ball was then worked all the way out to the left, where Simon Linsell was waiting for a straightforward run-in.
The clock was running out, but Trailfinders still had time for more action, Burns snipping once again; this time, he was tackled but managed to offload to a supporting Will Davis, who crashed over the try line to score.
The final try of the afternoon saw Linsell complete his hat-trick. Will Davis breaking through the first line of defence, popping it up to Linsell, who cantered in for his third, sealing a comprehensive away victory for Ealing Trailfinders.
Full Time London Scottish 0 – Ealing Trailfinders 81
London Scottish Starting XV
1. Jake Elwood
2. Alex Gibson
3. Kieran Verden
4. Tom Baldwin (c)
5. Edoardo Balocco
6. David Halaifonua
7. Jack Ingall
8. Viliami Taulani
9. Ed Hoadley
10. Dan Nutton
11. Noah Ferdinand
12. Sam Hanks
13. Hayden Hyde
14. Levi Davis
15. Leo Fielding
Replacements –
16. Tom Petty
17. Curtis Reynolds
18. Sam Gratton
19. Ehize Ehizode
20. Fred Tuilagi
21. Morgan Dawes
22. Laurence May
23. Darren Atkins
Ealing Trailfinders Starting XV
1. Kyle Whyte
2. Jan-Henning Campher
3. Lewis Thiede
4. Bobby de Wee
5. James Cannon
6. Simon Linsell
7. Max Northcote-Green
8. Rayn Smid
9. Craig Hampson
10. Craig Willis
11. Luke Daniels
12. Pat Howard
13. Max Bodilly
14. Angus Kernohan
15. David Johnston
Replacements –
16. Shaun Malton
17. Will Davis
18. George Davis
19. Barney Maddison
20. Len Massyn
21. Jordan Burns
22. Steven Shingler
23. Reuben Bird-Tulloch
Ealing Trailfinders returned home to Vallis Way on Saturday afternoon, a week on from victory away at Jersey Reds.
Doncaster Knights were the visitors in a top of the table clash at Trailfinders Sports Club; as two of the most in-form sides in the league met in a mouth-watering clash in West London.
The men in green and white looked to start the game strongly and get the home crowd behind them. The opening minutes saw a kicking battle which led to Doncaster winning a penalty due to Trailfinders being deemed to have been in front of the kicker. Knights fly-half Sam Olver kicked to the corner as the Doncaster forwards looked to make the most of territory inside Trailfinders 22. It wasn’t to be though as Trailfinders pack held up the attack, ultimately winning a scrum at their own 5 metre.
A big scrum from the Trailfinders pack followed, and Craig Willis could clear upfield to get his side back up the pitch.
With the opening ten minutes played inside Trailfinders half, Doncaster knocked on the door time and time again. But it was at the fourth time of asking inside the red zone, which saw the ball was worked out to Sam Olver, who kicked the ball into space for Maliq Holden to collect and score, Olver himself adding the extras.
Trailfinders would hit straight back, and moments later, they would have the opportunity to attack themselves. Willis kicked to the corner, but the line out couldn’t be held; as the ball was knocked backwards, Doncaster would retrieve possession, winning a penalty to allow them to clear to touch and relieve pressure.
Midway through the first half, David Johnston got the home side’s first points of the afternoon, with advantage in hand, Craig Hampson kicked the ball to space on the right wing finding Johnston, who acrobatically caught the ball and dotted down.
Moments later, Doncaster were on the attack once again, and after winning advantage at Trailfinders 22, Olver would attempt a drop goal; the ball sailed narrowly wide; however, the referee went back for the penalty for Olver to knock over, extending Doncaster’s lead with ten minutes of the first half to come.
Just minutes left of the first period and with Trailfinders down to 14 men through a yellow shown to Rayn Smid for a knock-on, Trailfinders were caught offside at their 5 metre. Doncaster went through the phases through dominant carries before working it out wide again to Holden. The winger diving down to score in the corner, with Olver once again converting.
Half-Time Ealing Trailfinders 7 – Doncaster Knights 17
Just moments into the opening exchanges of the second half, Kyle Evans was shown a yellow for knocking the ball on when Trailfinders looked to be on the wing, an almost identical incident to that of Smid’s in the first half.
Looking to take advantage of that, Johnston would feed the ball out to Luke Daniels in a slick move that saw Trailfinders enter the Doncaster 22. The men in green and white would go onto work across the field before Max Bodilly sent a looping ball over to the left wing for Daniels, who unopposed raced home to score his side’s second try of the afternoon and see just 5 points between the two teams.
Doncaster would soon hit back and win a penalty at the breakdown after an overthrown lineout saw Trailfinders Lock Bobby De Wee isolated. Olver was once again successful with the boot just inside the Trailfinders half, to extend the travelling sides lead.
Chances came and went for Trailfinders, as they looked to be in once again when a great offload from Willis put Daniels into space; however, the Doncaster defence fought back and soaked up the pressure.
Trailfinders looked to breakthrough midway through the half when replacement Cian Kelleher was found on the wing; as he looked to offload inside to Bodilly, he was held back, and with that, momentum had gone, allowing Doncaster to battle back and defend the breakdown.
Big games lead to big moments, crunching tackle after crunching tackle saw Jan-Henning Campher over the ball, winning a penalty at the break down at Trailfinders own 22, to once again put the home side on the front foot.
The momentum was beginning to build the crowd’s noise, and just minutes later, Rayn Smid was able to dot down, Craig Hampson feeding the ball to the back-rower, who powered his way over in the corner.
With the game in the balance and only three points between the two sides, some quick thinking by Doncaster’s Bill McBryde saw him intercept the ball at his own 22. The racing Trailfinders defence of Hampson and Bodilly couldn’t catch the full-back, who scored to open up a bigger lead for the visitors with less than three minutes to go.
In what was to be the last action of the game, Willis kicked for the posts after his side won a penalty at the breakdown, looking for a losing bonus-point his sweetly struck kick hit the left upright. The ball stayed in play, allowing Doncaster to work through two phases and finally clear to touch and confirm the win.
Full Time Ealing Trailfinders 17 – Doncaster Knights 25
Ealing Trailfinders –
1. Will Davis – The Green Army
2. Jan-Henning Campher – Ikon Dental
3. Lewis Thiede – Ebstone Kitchens
4. Bobby De Wee – Harrison’s Deli
5. James Cannon- Colin Bibra
6. Simon Linsell – Geoff & Back Row
7. Max Northcote-Green – Lords Builders Merchants
8. Rayn Smid (C) – Green Army
9. Craig Hampson – Nabarro
10. Craig Willis – GD Higgins
11. Angus Kernohan – Col’s Corner
12. Pat Howard – Arnold Hill – 50th Appearance!!
13. Max Bodilly – The Brewer Family
14. Luke Daniels – 1 Ugly Crazy Robot
15. David Johnston – Michael Jackson
Replacements:
16. Shaun Malton – Woodfield Heating
17. Kyle Whyte – West London Fitness
18. George Davis – The Turmeric Co
19. Gary Porter – The Green Army
20. Barney Maddison
21. Jordan Burns – Rhidian Jones
22. Cian Kelleher – Grainne Taylor
23. Len Massyn – David Lloyd
Doncaster Knights –
1. Conor Davidson
2. George Edgson
3. Andrew Foster
4. John Kelly
5. Ben Murphy
6. Sam Hudson
7. Sam Graham ©
8. Thom Smith
9. Alex Dolly
10. Sam Olver
11. Maliq Holden
12. Mark Best
13. Joe Margetts
14. Kyle Evans
15. Bill McBryde
Replacements:
16. George Roberts
17. Liam Usher
18. Charlie Connolly
19. Josh Peters
20. Jack Davies
21. Joe Green
22. Connor Edwards
23. Guido Volpi
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