Coming into the game it was a mouth-watering Christmas Eve match-up, as both sides were unbeaten in the league.

In-front of the biggest crowd of the season so far, the Trailfinders were able to put on a six-try spectacular, including a Craig Hampson brace, as they powered to victory.

After a great morning of build-up, with Christmas songs, snow machines and other festivities, the 1,500 strong crowd were ready to cheer on the two teams.

The atmosphere was palpable as the visitors kicked off, but it was Ealing Trailfinders who were able to strike the first blow. A lovely free flowing move, eventually saw Luke Daniels released down the left wing. He was able to offload inside to Reuben Bird-Tulloch and despite being tackled, he was able to power over. Craig Willis impressively added the extras from out-wide and Ealing were 7-0 up after three minutes.

This lead didn’t last long, as Jersey responded back immediately scoring in the opposite corner to make it 7-5 after seven minutes.

After a frantic start, both sides were then able to ease into the game but the Trailfinders still remained on top.

This was until the quarter of an hour mark. Camped 5m out Ealing looked like they were about to crash over, but Jersey’s Brendan Owen picked off an intercept. The fullback raced clear and looked for all money like he was destined to score but Jonah Holmes was able to track him down before winning the penalty in what was the best defensive moment of the afternoon!

Five minutes later, the hosts made no mistake as Bird-Tulloch’s superb miss pass found Cian Kelleher who was able to power past the final two defenders to score in the corner.

The Jersey line-out had been a real strength this season, but as the game went on Danny Cutmore and David O’Connor begun to become a nuisance for the visitors. A big steal just before the half an hour mark paid off and within minutes, Trailfinders were down the end scoring through Hampson after a great Holmes break. This made the score 19-5 with just ten minutes until the break.

Jersey were determined to limit this margin however, as James Dun scored with four minutes to go and then on the half-time whistle, Russell Bennet’s penalty sailed wide to make it Ealing Trailfinders 19-12 Jersey Reds at the break.

In the second 40 it was the visitors came out of the blocks the fastest, but they were unable to score. This momentum well and truly shifted when, with their first attack of the half, Ealing built the phases before Hampson sold the most outrageous dummy from close range and was able to get over for his second score of the game.

This was followed by a Craig Willis penalty five minutes later to make it 29-12 with 20 minutes to go.

A Jersey try briefly made the gap 12 points, but then came the moment of the afternoon. Hampson again managed to snipe around the base of the ruck, and made a great break. On a hat trick, he executed the perfect 2-on-1 to selflessly put Ross Kane in under the sticks for his first ever try in professional rugby!

A quick score back from Jersey gave them a try bonus-point, but Trailfinders quickly responded through Willis who was bundled over by his teammates before converting his own score.

Full-time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 43-22 Jersey Reds

T: Bird-Tulloch 3′, Kelleher 19′, Hampson 31′, 47′, Kane 65′, Willis 74′

C: Willis 3′, 31′, 47′, 65′, 74′

P: Willis 52′

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Braces from Carlo Tizzano and Shaun Malton helped Ealing Trailfinders continue their unbeaten run this season as they returned to the top of the Championship table after a 42-17 win over Bedford Blues.

It was a game that both sides took some time to build into, as the cold weather threatened to make handling difficult.

Bedford had deliberately picked four second-rows in their starting team in an attempt to try and stop the Ealing rolling maul which has been so effective so far this season, but on the tenth minute, the hosts muscled over with Malton dotting down to score the first try of the game.

After edging in front, the visitors managed to reclaim some momentum, and after knocking on the Ealing door for ten minutes or so, Grimoldby and Bedford took the points, to make it 7-3.

From that point until the half-time, it was all Ealing. A great passage of play that went from one touchline to the other eventually allowed Tizzano to power over from close range as the forward returned to the top of the Championship’s try-scoring charts just before the half hour.

Then five minutes later Ealing were in again. This time it was created through the boot of Craig Willis who found Malton on the end of his cross field kick. After plucking the ball out of the air, the hooker then dummied, broke down the wing before finding Howard on his inside to score Trailfinders’ third and make it 21-3 at the break.

After their disappointing first half, Bedford were quick out of the blocks in the second half as Matt Worley was on the end of a lovely backs move to get the Blues right back in the contest.

The hosts responded quickly however, first through Tizzano who scored after breaking off the back of a rolling maul, and then Malton was able to score a beauty of his own.

After a kick to the corner, Ealing faked the rolling maul and spun it wide. The hooker received the ball midway through a beautiful outside arch and despite being caught 5m from the line, was able to muscle his way over.

Bedford did respond through a good solo try from Jake Garside, but the final score of the game went to substitute Cam Terry, who managed to pounce on a loose ball near the Bedford try line and bundle his way over.

After his two scores and a strong all round performance, the Bread Street Cafe Player of the Match was awarded to Shaun Malton.

Full-time Score: Ealing Trailfinders XX-XX Bedford Blues

T: Malton 6′ 48′, Tizzano 27′, 44′, Howard 34′, Terry 74′

C: Willis 6′, 27′, 34′. 48′, Shingler 74′

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Ealing Trailfinders scored 25 unanswered points in the second half to secure a powerful 12-25 bonus point win over Cornish Pirates at The Mennaye.

In difficult conditions and battling against a vocal home crowd, Ealing experienced a tough opening 40 minutes.

David Johnston was substituted after just three minutes following a heavy collision and his replacement Steven Shingler (on for his 50th appearance) found himself in the sin-bin just ten minutes later. Pirates took full advantage of the extra man and early attacking momentum, crashing over for their first try in the 13th minute.

With the try unconverted, Trailfinders started to find their gear. The visitors worked their way into the Pirates half and built attacking pressure. However an injury to Cian Kelleher meant Jordan Burns was called upon to play the remainder of the match on the wing.

Ealing soon barged their way over the Pirates line from metres out but the hosts defence stood firm to hold the ball up. The visitors continued to throw everything at Pirates and were close to scoring, but a wayward short pass was intercepted and pounced upon. The Cornish centre ran 75 metres to score untouched under the posts. Pirates led 12-0 at half-time.

Heading into the second half, Ealing knew they had to score first to halt the Pirates momentum. That moment came in the 48th minute when Simon Uzokwe bulldozed his way over from close range. Craig Willis missed the conversion but Trailfinders were back in the contest.

Pirates soon found themselves down to 13 men after repeated infringements. Ealing took full advantage with Carlo Tizzano powering his way over. Willis added the extras and the scores were locked at 12-12.

With the clock ticking into the final ten minutes, Trailfinders won a penalty deep in Pirates territory. Willis stepped up and knocked over the penalty kick to give Ealing the 12-15 lead.

Pirates lost another player to the sin-bin in the 77th minute and Ealing pounced. First Willis delivered a beautiful cross-field kick to scrum-half turned winger Jordan Burns who crossed in the corner.

Then in the final seconds Ealing put together a swift attack in the Pirates 22. Shingler broke through the Cornish defence popped a lovely offload to Jonah Holmes who then passed to a charging Jordan Burns who sliced through to score his second and secure a remarkable 12-25 bonus point win.

The comeback victory was Ealing’s eighth Championship win of the season and a fitting tribute to Barney Maddison and Steven Shingler who both celebrated their 50th first-team appearance.

Tickets are selling fast for next Saturday’s Championship clash with Bedford Blues at Trailfinders Sports Club (KO 3pm). Click here for tickets. To book our delicious pre-match hospitality email: hospitality@etprm.com.

Full-time Score: Cornish Pirates 12-25 Ealing Trailfinders

T: Uzokwe 48′, Tizzano 62′, Burns 78′, 80′

C: Willis 63′

P: Willis 71′

 

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Two early second half scores were the difference as we defeated a high flying Jersey Reds team 22-13 at Trailfinders Sports Club in the Championship Cup.

A first half penalty try was quickly cancelled out by a James Scott score for the Reds, but two Russell Bennett penalties saw the visitors ahead at the break.

But after coming out of the blocks quickly in the second 40, Shaun Malton scored on the back of a maul before Pat Howard muscled over from close range to help ensure we made ten wins from ten this season.

Jersey came into the game high on confidence, having also won all of their games so far this season, and they took the lead early as Bennett slotted a penalty in front of the posts.

We answered back immediately however, after turning down a very kickable shot at goal and going to the corner. We set up a powerful rolling maul that would have crashed over, had it not been for the illegal intervention of Bennett. The referee agreed, and ran under the sticks to award a penalty try before sending Bennett to the bin.

Just as we edged in front, Jersey took the lead straight back as Scott scored after being on the end of a Jersey overlap.

Given the fast scoring nature of the game, it is not surprising it took only five more minutes for Craig Willis to slot a penalty to level things up 13-13 after a quarter of an hour.

Although there were no scores for the next 15 minutes, we came incredibly close on multiple occasions. In particular one beautiful, free flowing move between Rayn Smid, Carlo Tizzano and Craig Hampson saw us come agonisingly close but a tap tackle just denied us 5m from the line.

On the half hour mark, Bennett added another penalty to see the Reds retake the lead and despite both sides trying their upmost, neither could add anything extra and the half-time score was Ealing Trailfinders 10-13 Jersey Reds.

After a first 40 where Ben Ward said he thought Jersey “outworked us,” we came out at the start of the second half with a real point to prove. An early penalty saw us again turndown the points to go to the corner and it paid off again as Shaun Malton was bundled over on the back of a 13-man rolling maul.

Despite having just scored, we didn’t want to give Jersey the chance for a quick reply and so we kept up the tempo and we were rewarded for it. After working our way up the pitch, we were awarded a 5m scrum. Despite not having a run up, Pat Howard somehow managed to bundle over from close range, while taking three Jersey defenders over with him. With Willis adding the extras, the score was extended to see us with a 22-13 lead.

As the game continued, the match got more and more physical, with more and more big shots going in as tempers threatened to boil over.

Although Jersey may have been the better side in the final 20 minutes of the game, our defence and in particular our maul defence was superb as we continued to repel the Reds as we refused to allow our try line to be breached.

The final play of the game saw Jersey with a 5m line out and although the win was already confirmed, we refused to allow the visitors to get a score which would have given them a losing bonus point. Full-time score: Ealing Trailfinders 22-13 Jersey Reds.

 

T: Penalty Try 7′, Malton 44′, Howard 49′

C: Willis 49′

P: Willis 15′

Bread Street Player of the Match: Jonah Holmes

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Four powerful rolling maul tries helped us make it nine wins out of nine this season, after a tough fought 19-26 win in the Championship Cup at Nottingham.

Despite eventually getting the result, Nottingham raced out to a 12-0 lead after two early tries. But then three unanswered scores saw us move into the lead.

The hosts did level it up just after the hour mark, but we were able to score our fourth and bonus point try ten minutes from time to ensure we left The Bay with the full five points.

After a respectful and well observed minutes silence, in which each captain laid a poppy wreath as part of Remembrance Sunday, the game got underway.

It was somewhat of a disappointing first 40, as the hosts came out of the blocks the faster of the two sides. Early pressure saw our defence put into effect from the outset, but we stood firm after soaking up multiple phases.

Although we had a poor start, we should have actually scored the first try of the game. A great line break saw us execute a 2-on-1 which put Jack Metcalf in sight of scoring. The fullback closed in on the try line, but as he dived the Nottingham defender managed to knock the ball free and the scoreboard remained unchanged.

We were very quickly made to rue this missed opportunity, as Nottingham scored the first try of the game just before the quarter of the hour. After strong play in the centre, Morgan Bunting put in an effective cross-field kick to find David Williams in the corner.

Five minutes later, they had their second, as Bunting himself was able to take advantage of the overlap and get over in the same corner that Williams had just scored in.

Despite these two scores, we were able to stay composed and went back to one area of the game that has been a real strength of ours all season, the rolling maul. With a line out just outside the Nottingham 22, the maul was able to march forward 15m, before Simon Uzokwe broke off and powerfully bundled over.

The rest of the half saw both sides doing as many bad things as they did good, and although each had opportunities to score again, neither of them were able to take them. Half-time score: Nottingham 12-5 Ealing Trailfinders.

Although the second half also saw us again start slower than we’d have liked, quickly we were on the front foot again. A strong kick chase saw us regain possession just outside the Nottingham 22. Slowly we were able to move forward, fighting for every inch but getting them nonetheless. Just as we came within striking distance of the try line, our final surge forward saw a Nottingham player get underneath the ball and we were agonisingly held up.

This reprieve for Nottingham only lasted five minutes, as just after the 50 minute mark, Carlo Tizzano crossed for his first try of the game after the rolling maul had come up short just a few phases earlier.

As the hour mark approached Tizzano completed his brace, this time on the back of a 12-man rolling maul, as we edged into the lead for the first time in the game.

This lead didn’t last for long however, as Nottingham scored back just two minutes later. The hosts won a penalty just inside our half and they took it quickly. Spotting space in behind they kicked through but it unfortunately deflected off our defender and straight into the hands of Jordan Olowofela who ran in unopposed.

With ten minutes to go it looked like the game might have been heading for a draw, but another huge rolling maul saw us grab the bonus point and decisive score as Jan-Henning Campher dotted down.

Despite being put under some pressure in the closing stages, we were able to close out the match.

Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “Sometimes you just have to find a way to win and today was one of those occasions. Credit has to go to Nottingham for putting us under so much pressure, but I’m pleased to be coming away with all five points.

Nottingham 19-26 Ealing Trailfinders

T: Uzokwe 22’, Tizzano 52’, 59’, Campher 79’

C: Willis 52’, 59’, 70’

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A strong display saw us get our defence of the Championship Cup off to the perfect start as we ran out 64-10 over Hartpury University.

A good first half performance helped us wrap up the bonus point inside the first 40, including Bread Street Player of the Match Jack Grant scoring one of the best tries we’ll score all season.

After the break Simon Uzokwe scored a second half hat trick as many players put their hands up for selection ahead of next weekend’s game in Nottingham.

After a slightly slower start, we managed to get the scoring started on the twelfth minute after repeated Hartpury penalties gave us both field position and momentum. Some good pressure looked like it had put Will Davis over, but the prop was judged to have knocked on before scoring. Fortunately we had penalty advantage, and after a quick tap penalty, Grant was able to tie in the defenders before offloading to Jack Metcalf who muscled over.

Just as the scoreboard has been updated, it had to be changed again as we scored our second immediately from the restart! Jack Digby made a superb break through the first line of defence before drawing the final man and offloading to Grant who was able to scuttle in for our second.

Our third try came through a powerful ten-man rolling maul with Digby popping up with the score but the best try of the day came just before half-time through our Aussie scrum-half!

With a minute left in the half, Grant collected a loose kick deep inside our half. He faked to kick initially, before side stepping the first man. He then beat another player, before dummying the final pass to run in under neath the posts. Lancaster converted to make the half-time score: Ealing Trailfinders 24-0 Hartpury University.

Unlike the first half, it only took five minutes for us to get on the score board in the second. Uzokwe scored a great solo try, firstly charging down the box kick, before regathering and then running over the last defender before dotting down!

Five minutes later he was in again! Some great offloading in the midfield from Metcalf and Grant almost set the scrum-half up for his hat trick, but with the try line beckoning, he unselfishly offloaded to Uzokwe.

It took only four minutes for us to score again as Dan Lancaster threaded through a sublime grubber kick to see Jack Metcalf grab his second in the corner.

After a few rocky weeks defensively, overall things were much better today but Hartpury were able to cross twice, both on the back of rolling mauls. George Denty got the first after the maul created an overlap while Will Tanner got their second five minutes later.

Despite this, we got back on track shortly after as Jordan Burns sniped around the edge of the ruck after good build up play between himself and Cam Terry.

Just as the scoreboard looked like it might be finished for the day, Cian Kelleher snapped up a loose Hartpury pass and kicked in behind. He got to the ball first and kicked ahead again, but just as it looked like he had just put too much on it, he somehow managed to dot the ball down just before it went dead.

With the clock in the red, Uzokwe managed to crash over to complete his hat trick and grab our tenth of the game.

Full-time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 64-10 Hartpury University

T: Metcalf 12’, 55’, Grant 12’, 39’, Digby 25’, Uzokwe 45’, 51’, 80’, Burns 69’, Kelleher 76

C: Lancaster 12’, 39’, 45’, Shingler 51’, 69’, 76’, 80’

Bread Street Player of the Match: Jack Grant

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After a blistering start, your Trailfinders scored 10 tries as we ran out 64-33 winners against Nottingham at Trailfinders Sports Club.

It took only four minutes for us to break the deadlock, as a beautifully weighted Craig Willis grubber kick bounced into the hands of Jonah Holmes to allow him to score in the corner.

Five minutes later we were in again, this time it was through a screamer from Jordan Burns! Nottingham knocked the ball on inside our 22 and it was quickly transferred to Burns who sprinted clear, before skinning the final man to score underneath the sticks.

A minute later we scored again. With good turnover ball we managed to shift the ball wide and made good meters. Although we were pulled down just short, we remained patient before exploiting the overlap and putting Holmes in for his second.

It took only 17 minutes for us to add the bonus point and for the Welsh International to complete his hat trick, as Holmes intercepted a Nottingham pass and scored in the corner.

After the blistering start, it was understandable that the rate of scoring was going to drop off slightly, but just as Nottingham looked like they were building into the game, Reuben Bird-Tulloch pounced on a loose ball and ran it in from 50m out.

On the stroke of half-time, the visitors were camped on our line. Although Steven Shingler was sent to the bin after repeated team penalties, the defence stood firm and the Half-time score was Ealing Trailfinders 33-0 Nottingham.

As the teams came back out for the second half, we hit the ground running as Burns went in for his second after a great break and offload from Carlo Tizzano.

After this start we would have hoped to have kicked on, but the next five minutes were something to forget from a Trailfinders perspective. Firstly Nottingham scored straight from the restart, before they added their second and third tries two and four minutes later after capitalising on some loose Ealing passes.

After this brief lapse in concentration, we regrouped and managed to re-establish our dominance. Despite being a forward down after Kyle Whyte was sent to the bin, we won back-to-back scrum penalties which allowed us to set up a rolling maul from 5m out and Simon Uzokwe was able to dot down.

With 12 minutes to go and the score at 47-21, many may have expected the scoring to end there but there were still six tries to be added.

The first of these saw Uzokwe grab his second following on from an outstanding break from debutant Jack Grant. Nottingham responded five minutes later throw a rolling maul try of their own to see them take a deserved try bonus point.

With five minutes to go Bobby De Wee and Lewis Chessum were sent to the bin following a large scuffle on the pitch.

After his great break, it was now the turn of Jack Grant to score a three minute brace. Firstly he got on the end of a beautiful free flowing move to dot down from close range, before moments later he identified space on the blindside of the scrum and executed a great 1-2 to score in the corner.

In the final play of the game, Harry Graham went over from close range to make the Full-time score: Ealing Trailfinders 64-33 Nottingham

Ealing Trailfinders 64-33 Nottingham

T: Holmes 4,9,17, Burns 8,42, Bird-Tulloch 31, Uzokwe 60,68, Grant 76,80

C: Willis 8,10,18,31,42, Shingler 61,68

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Credit has to go to the Exiles for how well they performed today, but despite pressure we were able to come away with the full five points to keep us top of the table.

The game got off to an almost perfect start, with us scoring after just two minutes. The Exiles went being penalised for being offside at a kick which allowed Craig Willis to go to the corner. From 10m out, Shaun Malton looked like he was going over for the first score but the maul was pulled down illegally and so ref Luke Rogan ran under the sticks to award a penalty try.

The hosts answered back shortly after through Jordan Els after winning repeated penalties and it was level after 9 minutes.

This didn’t phase us however, as we quickly responded through Steven Shingler who scored in the corner after a well worked passage of play that saw us tie in players from a rolling maul before spinning wide once we had created the overlap.

Ten minutes later we were in again, after repeated penalties, Carlo Tizzano crashed over on the back of a rolling maul and Craig Willis did superbly well to add the extras from the touchline.

The hosts then added their second score of the day after capitalising from a quick tap penalty allowing Cam King to dot down.

With half-time beckoning we secured the bonus point when Barney Maddison was on the back of the rolling maul this time to put us into a 12 point lead at the break. Half-time score: London Scottish 14-26 Ealing Trailfinders

In the same way that we scored almost immediately in the first-half, Scottish did so in the second as Harlequins dual-registered winger Cassius Cleaves went over in the corner.

It took us our time to respond from the Exiles’ fast start, but we slowly built back into the half. With the bench coming on and making an impact, just before the hour mark, sustained pressure and repeated penalties finally paid as Rayn Smid crashed over.

Just minutes later we were in again as Luke Daniels was on the end of potentially our score of the season. From inside our own 22, Jordan Burns spotted a gap at the ruck and burst through it. He got up to the halfway line before being tackled and recycling well. Shingler then put out a beautiful two-man miss pass to release Luke Daniels to run in unopposed.

After seeing this superb free flowing play, the forwards decided to return to their bread and butter, the rolling maul. In the space of five minutes, Malton picked up a brace, both on the back of the maul as we pulled away from the hosts.

With five minutes to go, a strong box-kick and chase saw us regain possession. Will Davis spotted a gap which he almost was able to get his 120kg frame through! Although he was just pulled down he was able to offload to Burns who ran in under the sticks.

With the full-time whistle approaching, Scottish went in search of their bonus point score, but our defence stood firm.

Full-time score: London Scottish 21-57 Ealing Trailfinders

T: Penalty Try 2′, Shingler 12′, Tizzano 18′, Maddison 38′, Smid 58′, Daniels 61′, Maulton 67′, 71′, Burns 76′

C: Willis 19′, 38′, 59′, 68′, 77

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Ealing Trailfinders made it five wins from five in 2022/23 with a 56-19 win over Richmond.

In what was a fairly error stricken encounter, both sides took their time to build into the game as poor handling seemed to halter any momentum that was building.

However, on the 12th minute, we managed to get ourselves on the scoreboard as Rayn Smid cut a beautiful line and ran home from 25 metres without a finger even being laid on him.

This score galvanised Trailfinders, and five minutes later we were in again. A strong rolling maul came up just short, but the forwards did well to recycle the ball. Strong ball carrying in the midfield managed to pull in all the defenders, before the ball then went wide and Luke Daniels dotted down in the corner.

Richmond answered back with a try of their own but we were quick to score again soon after. A strong rolling maul almost made it to the line, but Craig Hampson spotted a small gap and sniped to grab our third of the afternoon. This made the half-time score: Ealing Trailfinders 21-7 Richmond.

As the second half got underway, there was one man who was determined to get his name on the scoreline. Our top scorer, Carlo Tizzano came in with an absolutely superb finish in the corner to secure the bonus point, before grabbing another seven minutes later, on the back of the maul five minutes later. This sandwiched a Richmond score by their captain Mark Bright.

As the hour mark approached, we managed to score two more tries in as many minutes. First, Bobby De Wee muscled over from close range, before Jordan Burns spotted a gap around the fringes and managed to skate in from 30 metres out.

The final 20 minutes of the game saw a few errors creep in to our game and Richmond were able to capitalise, with Paul Kiernan dotting down with five minutes to go.

Ealing were determined however not to let this be the final score of the game. Another penalty from the scrum, which was dominant all afternoon, saw us with a line out inside their 22. The rolling maul started 20 metres out and quickly gained steam. Five metres out it was cynically pulled down by Richmond and the referee was immediately under the posts to award a penalty try.

With the clock in the red, Richmond were hunting for their bonus point try, but our defence stood firm and that was full-time.

Although it wasn’t necessarily a full 80 minute performance, another half century on the scoreboard for the second week running cannot be sniffed at.

It is the first reserve week of the season next week, but we will be back in action in a fortnight at the Richmond Athletic Ground as we face London Scottish.

Ealing Trailfinders 56 – Richmond 19

T: Rayn Smid 12th, Luke Daniels 16th, Craig Hampson 30th, Carlo Tizzano 47th, 54th, Bobby De Wee 59th, Jordan Burns 60th, Penalty Try 78th

C: Steven Shingler 12th, 16th, 30th, 47th, 54th, 59th, 60th

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