Ealing Trailfinders hold onto the Champ’s top spot after defeating Coventry 36-63 at Butts Park Arena.
Trailfinders have now passed the 200 point mark, only four games into the season.
Coventry were first to get onto the scoreboard. Consecutive penalties allowed the home side to work their way along towards the try line, eventually converting a line out into points. Conversion was successful.
Ealing Trailfinders were quick to respond. After winning possession in a scrum, the visitors moved the ball swiftly along the line, finding Francis Moore on the wing to finish in the corner. The conversion was successful for Dan Jones.
Following a collapsed scrum, Trailfinders were awarded the ball once again. From a line-out close to the whitewash, the ball was offloaded to David Bridge, who powered over to score. Jones maintained his perfect kicking record with another successful conversion.
Coventry struck back when Peter Sullivan intercepted a Trailfinders ball and sprinted 75 metres downfield to score under the posts, leaving an easy conversion for the home side.
Trailfinders replied through a driving maul from a line-out inside Coventry’s 22. Matt Cornish broke from the pack to touch down, and Jones continued his kicking form with another successful conversion.
Strong defence from the visitors congested Coventry in their attacking half, but a kick wide to Sullivan in open space, gave him a first-half hat-trick. The conversion bounced off the post.
Just before the break, Trailfinders won a scrum in the fortieth minute. The ball was passed out to Jordan Holgate who danced through Coventry’s defence for a late try, again converted by Jones.
A penalty for Coventry closed out the half with the visitors leading.
Half-time: Coventry 22-28 Ealing Trailfinders
Early in the second half, Trailfinders mirrored Coventry’s earlier play. Jordan Holgate intercepted a pass and raced 75 metres to score under the posts. Jones once again converted successfully.
After sustained pressure inside Coventry’s 22, a series of quick offloads along the line found Tobi Wilson, who broke through and dived over on the edge of the whitewash. It was a difficult kick, but Jones slotted it over with precision.
A Coventry clearance attempt was charged down by Danny Cutmore, who regathered the ball and kicked it through the defence before scooping it up to score under the posts. Jones again successful on the conversion.
Sullivan added his fourth try of the match for Coventry, breaking away from the pack to touch down between the posts. The conversion was successful.
A line out into a driving maul meant that Scott Buckley powered over the line, with Rory Scannell slotting the conversion.
Coventry’s Josh Thomas looked to close their defeat margin with three minutes to go stepping though Trailfinders defence to cross the line. The conversion was successful.
Jordy Reid hit the nail in the coffin with a closing try after the eightieth minute. Scannell secured the conversion.
Full-time: Coventry 36-63 Ealing Trailfinders
Coventry:
Tries: Peter Sullivan 4 16 25 74, Josh Thomas 78
Conversions: Josh Thomas 4 16 74 79
Penalty: Josh Thomas 40
Yellow card: Matt Johnson
Ealing Trailfinders:
Tries: Francis Moore 10, David Bridge 15, Matt Cornish 22, Jordan Holgate 40 44, Tobi Wilson 55, Danny Cutmore 70, Scott Buckley 77, Jordy Reid 80
Conversions: Dan Jones 10 15 22 40 44 55 70, Rory Scannell 77 80