Coventry came out on top against Ealing Trailfinders in a tense clash at Butts Park Arena this afternoon, winning 34-32.

Tries from Jonah Holmes, James Cordy-Redden, Craig Hampson and a brace from Nathan Earle meant Trailfinders travelled back to West London with two points.

Trailfinders remain top of the Championship table, ten points clear of Coventry in second.

It was an electric start from the visitors as they crossed the whitewash twice in the opening ten minutes. First on the scoresheet was Jonah Holmes, the full back went over untouched on the left hand side after some neat handling from the back line.

James Cordy-Redden doubled the lead minutes later, the ball was moved to the far left, he crashed over his opposite man and dotted down with an outstretched arm.

Coventry hit back with two tries of their own. Ollie Betterridge received the ball ten metres out and spotted a gap in the Trailfinders’ defensive line to score underneath the sticks and make it a straight forward seven pointer.

An overthrown Trailfinders’ line out collected by Jordon Poole put Coventry into the lead, with a try that was easier to score than not.

Nathan Earle scored his first of the afternoon when Craig Hampson sent a looping miss pass out to the right wing beating the cover defence.

After an assist five minutes before, it was time for Hampson to score a try of his own. The second rows combined as Bobby Dee charged down the field and passed out wide to Andrew Davidson, who eventually popped it inside to the scrum half.

Coventry had the last say in the first half, Jordon Poole scored his second of the match to make it a one point game at the break.

The West London outfit headed into the changing rooms 22-21 up.

Pat Pellegrini helped his side regain the lead shortly after the match resumed with a shot at goal from a relatively straight forward angle.

Ten minutes later, the Championship’s leading try scorer Matt Cornish added to his tally as he burrowed his way over after he broke from the back of a rolling maul.

The hosts put themselves back into the lead through James Martin, before Pellegrini added a further three points to extend their lead to seven.

With only two minutes remaining on the clock, Earle crossed the whitewash to get Trailfinders back within two points. The kick was pushed wide, but there was time for the restart and a final chance for the visitors.

After two successive penalties to get them into their opponents 22, Trailfinders knocked the ball on and Coventry kicked the ball out of the ground, which left the final score Coventry 34-32 Ealing

Trailfinders.\https://www.youtube.com/@EalingTrailfindersRugbyClub

The West Londoners travelled to Butts Park Arena to face a Coventry side unbeaten at home so far this Championship Rugby season. In a line up which was saw an unchanged starting 15 from the one that beat Nottingham a fortnight ago, Ealing Trailfinders headed north looking to keep hold of their top spot in the Championship.

It was Coventry who started spritely and put the first points on the board when they were awarded a penalty after Ealing Trailfinders were penalised for not rolling away, with Tony Fenner successful from the boot.

It didn’t take long for Trailfinders to kick into gear though, when with just minutes into the game a break down the left wing from Charlie Walker put Craig Hampson in at the corner to dot down for the travelling sides first try of the game.

Just moments later the West Londoners put another five points on the board when another quick break from the back line saw Craig Hampson dot down once again, this time being fed the ball after a great break from Pat Howard, a dominate opening 10 minutes putting Trailfinders well in control.

Six minutes later it was time for try number three for Trailfinders, after a number of phases with referee Sara Cox penalising Coventry at the breakdown within their own 22, the ball was fed to Back-Row Simon Uzokwe to power home for his third try for the season.

The bonus point was almost wrapped up mid way through the opening half, when some clever footwork from Angus Kernohan after a dropped ball led to a break down the right side with David Johnston looking for the corner, speeding away he was just caught before the try line as the ball was lost and Coventry were able to clear to touch at the half way line after some quick hands within their own 5 metre.

The first half was becoming quite the penalty fest with Coventry being constantly pinged for infringements, however Trailfinders couldn’t quite take advantage as it remained 3-19 for another 15 minutes as both teams traded blows.

The Coventry wall was finally broken down again though after another penalty conceded by Coventry led to a number of phases from Trailfinders within the opponents 5 metre, the ball ending up fed back by Hampson to Pat Howard who showed strength to battle his way over the line to dot down, and the bonus point in the bag.

Moments later Hampson intercepted a loose Coventry pass at Trailfinders 10 metre line, racing away he couldn’t be caught, dotting down for his hat-trick and Ealing Trailfinders fifth try of the afternoon.

With Trailfinders well on top, momentum was well with the travelling side and they made it six tries just moments before the break, a line out drive from the line out, after another penalty was awarded led to Shaun Malton driving over the line at the back of the rolling maul.

Half-time Coventry 3 – Ealing Trailfinders 38

The second half burst into action and fast! As winger Charlie Walker intercepted another loose Coventry pass, sprinting away from just inside the Coventry half to score and extend Trailfinders lead to 43-3 with 35 minutes still on the clock.

Coventry weren’t to go down without a fight and something for the home fans to celebrate, a good spell of possession within Trailfinders 22 finally led to some success. Several attempted drives for the line finally led to club captain Ryan Burrows dotting down, much to the avail of the Butts Park Arena faithful.

Moments later it was time for Trailfinders substitute Jordan Burns to pick up a loose ball, running 35 metres clear of the chasing Coventry defence, to score on his 50th appearance for the West London side.

The home side were given another chance to celebrate with just over 10 minutes left on the clock when the ball was quickly spread along the back line to Sam Aspland-Robinson who raced away in the corner to score.

In what was becoming a very end to end affair substitute Jan-Henning Campher scored with a carbon copy of Shaun Malton’s try, powering over the line at the back of the driving maul for the eight score of the game.

Coventry were not giving up on their hunt for a losing bonus point though as a great break down the wing led to substitute Aaron Hinkley fighting his way over the line for the home sides third try of the afternoon.

Charlie Walker try, ball worked along the backs from Reuben Bird-Tulloch to Charlie Walker who dots down in the corner to wrap up another convincing win for Ben Ward’s men, with another 70 point hall against Championship opposition.

A result that the Trailfinders will be happy with, as they head home next week to face local rivals London Scottish at Trailfinders Sports Club.

Full-time Coventry 24 – Ealing Trailfinders 73

 

 

Coventry Rugby Starting XV

1 Toby Trainer

2 Jordon Poole

3 Phil Boulton

4 Nile Dacres

5 Jonathan Kpoku

6 Adam Peters

7 Josh Bainbridge

8 Ryan Burrows (c)

9 Josh Barton

10 Tony Fenner

11 Sam Aspland-Robinson

12 Tom Griffiths

13 Rob Knox

14 Rob Stevenson

15 Tom Howe

Replacements – 

16 Suva Ma’asi

17 Dan Richardson

18 Cal Ford

19 Fred Betteridge

20 Aaron Hinkley

21 Joe Snow

22 Evan Mitchell

23 Will Owen

Tries – Aspland-Robinson, Hinkley, Burrows

Conversions – Fenner x3

Penalties – Fenner

Ealing Trailfinders Starting XV

1 James Gibbons

2 Shaun Malton

3 Lewis Thiede

4 Simon Linsell

5 James Cannon

6 Jack Digby

7 Simon Uzokwe

8 Rayn Smid (c)

9 Craig Hampson

10 Steven Shingler

11 Angus Kernohan

12 Pat Howard

13 Max Bodilly

14 Charlie Walker

15 David Johnston

Replacements – 

16 Jan-Henning Campher

17 Dylan Smith

18 Kyle Whyte

19 Harry Casson

20 Bobby De Wee

21 Jordan Burns

22 Reuben Bird-Tulloch

23 Malon Al-Jiboori

Tries – Hampson x 3, Walker x 2, Burns, Uzokwe, Campher, Malton, Howard, Shingler

Conversions – Shingler x 9

Ealing Trailfinders got their eighth successive victory as they registered a highly impressive 17-8 win against Coventry at Butt’s Park Arena.

Ben Ward’s side benefited from a strong first half performance and eventually ground down their opponents to continue their perfect start to 2020.

Tries from Pat Howard and Kieran Murphy as well as four points from Craig Willis and three from Steven Shingler ensured that they left Coventry with the win.

The opening exchanges saw both sides trying to work each other out in the bordering torrential rain, but once they had adjusted the Trailfinders took the lead in sensational style.

Reon Joseph broke the line on half way and stepped past four defenders before being brought down deep in side the 22. They then went through the phases and Craig Willis saw Pat Howard in space so kicked out wide to the winger who gathered and dotted the ball down in the corner. Willis then converted from the touchline to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

Coventry almost responded immediately from the restart as a fumble gave them an opportunity, but Nathan Fowles scrambled back and managed to clear the danger.

The hosts did however get on the scoreboard from the following phase, as a penalty on half way was kicked straight through the posts by Rory Jennings, cutting the lead to four points.

The home crowd were then collectively on their feet as Louis Brown gathered a high ball and raced away in to the Trailfinders’ 22, but just as the final pass looked to have created a try the referee pulled play back for an earlier infringement to the relief of the travelling supporters.

A succession of penalties then took the Trailfinders right up to the try-line but twice they met resolute maul defence which managed to hold the forwards up twice in a row.

Harry Casson then gathered his own charge-down and looked like he would mark his return to the starting line-up with a try, but again was held up to force another scrum. Rayn Smid carried from the base and thundered over his opposite number to get within touching distance, but more frustration followed as the defence held firm.

The Trailfinders could have been forgiven for becoming agitated, but their persistence was rewarded on the half hour mark as they crossed for their second try. A five metre scrum gave them the platform, and then from the next phase Kieran Murphy was helped over the line by his fellow back-rowers to increase the lead. The conversion from Willis pushed the advantage up to 14-3.

For the remainder of the first half Ben Ward’s men were in control and their dominant carries were constantly allowing them to get over the gain line. A penalty from Willis provided the opportunity to go further in front but it went narrowly wide in the wind, so they ran down the clock and with time in the red they kicked the ball in to touch, and run back in to the tunnel with a deserved eleven point lead.

The Trailfinders came within inches of making the perfect start to the second half as the rain and wind returned. Sam Dickinson picked a great line and broke in to the 22 before offloading to Elliot Millar Mills on his shoulder. The ball was then popped up to Nathan Fowles who had a four man overlap on the right wing, but the pass went to ground and Coventry managed to survive.

Adam Peters was then sent to the sin-bin for the hosts as the West Londoners looked to land a significant blow, but once again they were met by a spirited Coventry defence. After winning the lineout the Trailfinders went through phase after phase right on the line, but found no way past and eventually knocked on.

Will Davis was then given a yellow card as Coventry looked for a way back in to the match, and with the penalty count rising the home crowd were becoming more optimistic. Tom Kessell took a penalty quickly and had 30 metres of unattended grass ahead of him, but the ball went forward to the relief of the Trailfinders. From the resulting scrum Willis looked to clear but his kick was charged down, and only a last gasp gather from Nathan Fowles stopped a certain try.

The hosts did then get the try that they craved with 15 minutes remaining as the weather began to cause havoc. A kick ahead from Jennings bounced up horribly and it ricocheted off Peter Lydon straight in to the hands of Andy Forsyth who was able dot down from just a metre out. The conversion however crucially went wide, meaning the Trailfinders still held a 14-8 lead.

Then came a huge moment with just 10 minutes left as a penalty was awarded to the Ward’s men on the half way line. With the wind behind him Steven Shingler lined up the kick at goal, and struck it beautifully between the posts to take the advantage up to nine points.

Jack Tovey was then yellow carded for a no-arms tackle but there was to be no damage from it, as the West Londoners held out for the last six minutes to record another fantastic victory at Butt’s Park Arena.

Coventry:

15 Louis Brown 14 Ryan Olowofela 13 Andy Forsyth 12 Will Owen 11 Rob Knox 10 Rory Jennings 9 Tom Kessell 1 Luc Jeannot 2 Joe Buckle 3 Gareth Denman 4 Nile Dacres 5 Alex Woolford 6 Adam Peters 7 Ben Nutley 8 Ryan Burrows ©

Replacements:

16 Scott Tolmie 17 Toby Trinder 18 Phil Boulton 19 George Oram 20 Senitiki Nayolo 21 Pete White 22 Dan Lewis 23 Luke Wallace

Scorers:

Tries: Andy Forsyth (63 minutes)

Penalties: Rory Jennings (13 minutes)

Yellow Card: Adam Peters

Ealing Trailfinders:

15 Peter Lydon (replaced by David Johnston, 75 mins) 14 Pat Howard 13 Jack Tovey 12 Harry Sloan 11 Reon Joseph 10 Craig Willis (replaced by Steven Shingler, 60 mins) 9 Nathan Fowles (replaced by Craig Hampson, 70 mins) 1 Will Davis (replaced by Jake Ellwood, 55 mins) 2 Alun Walker 3 Elliot Millar Mills 4 Sam Dickinson 5 Harry Casson (replaced by Ben West, 68 mins) 6 Kieran Murphy 7 Adam Korczyk 8 Rayn Smid ©

Replacements:

16 Matt Cornish 17 Jake Ellwood 18 George Davis 19 Ben West 20 Shane Buckley 21 Craig Hampson 22 Steven Shingler 23 David Johnston

Scorers:

Tries: Pat Howard (8 minutes) Kieran Murphy (28 minutes)

Conversions: Craig Willis (8, 28 minutes)

Penalties: Steven Shingler (72 minutes)

Yellow Cards: Will Davis & Jack Tovey

Match Officials:

Referee: George Selwood

Assistant Referees: Simon Adams & Shane Lewis

Fourth Official: Daniel Rowlands

Attendance: 2231

Half Time Score: Coventry 3-14 Ealing Trailfinders

Ealing Trailinders got back to winning ways with a hugely impressive 61-20 victory over Coventry at Butt’s Park Arena.

Ben Ward’s side scored nine tries in a clinical attacking display as they rampaged to a dominant win in the Midlands. A memorable hat-trick from Reon Joseph as well as tries from Seb Stegmann, Kieran Murphy, Jordan Burns, David Johnston, Craig Willis and Lewis Jones secured the emphatic win.

The visitors made an lightning quick start and raced in front after just seven minutes with a try from Reon Joseph. Craig Willis’ inch-perfect cross-kick was gathered brilliantly in the air by the winger who then used his searing pace to run clear from 40 metres. Willis added the conversion from the touchline to give his side an early seven point advantage.

Coventry looked for an immediate response but the clinical Trailfinders would extend their lead on the 15 minute mark with another exceptional try. David Johnston broke through the defensive line and had Joseph on hand, who this time decided to pass to Seb Stegmann who had a free run to the line in the corner. Willis again added the extras as Ben Ward’s side looked back to their best.

Will Maisey capitalised on some ill-discipline from the visitors to kick two penalties in quick succession as the lead was cut to eight points, but the Trailfinders hit back to take control of the match before the break.

Kieran Murphy scored their third try just before the 30th minute to extend the lead further. A penalty was kicked to the corner and the forwards mauled towards the line before Murphy was able to break away to go over the line from close range. Willis, who clearly had his kicking boots on put the conversion between the posts to give the Green and Whites a 21-6 advantage.

Jordan Burns then went over to secure the bonus point in front of a stunned home crowd. Murphy, who was outstanding throughout bulldozed over the defence and offloaded to Burns who was never going to be caught from just 10 metres out. The conversion was once again added as the lead went up to 22 points.

Seb Stegmann went close to try number five when he capitalised on a huge hole in the defence to charge towards the line but from the following phase a knock on allowed the hosts to escape.

Coventry got a lifeline with the final play of the first half to get back in to the game. Tom Kessell broke and was brought down just short, but he had Will Maisey on his shoulder who dived under the posts for their first try of the match. He converted his own try as the West Londoners went down the tunnel with a 28-13 lead at the break.

The Trailfinders started the second half in the same way that they began the match with a huge amount of intent and they took just three minutes to go over for the first score of the half. A maul powered to the line and when it was brought down a free play saw Willis kick in behind, which bounced perfectly for David Johnston to dive under the posts. The fly-half again converted to extend the lead back to 22 points.

The momentum continued and Reon Joseph scored another wonder try just before the hour to put the result beyond doubt. He broke down the wing and played a clever one-two with Jordan Burns before using footwork to step past the final defender. The conversion went narrowly wide but the visitors were now up to the 40 point mark.

Try number seven followed 10 minutes later as Craig Willis capped off a great display with a deserved try. A set move from the base of a scrum on half way saw Lewis Jones and Seb Stegmann combine down the wing and took out the last defender to give the fly-half a clear run to the line. He converted his own try to take the lead over 30 points.

It got better for the Trailfinders as Lewis Jones was next to go over the line in the closing stages. The centre stripped his opponent in defence and then showed superb pace to run through from 50 metres. The extras were again added by Willis as the visitors brought up the half century of points.

Reon Joseph then completed his hat-trick with just five minutes left to mark a memorable day for the teenager. Laurence May stepped his way past a number of defenders on the right wing and then passed inside to the winger who was able to bundle over the line. The extras from Willis took the Trailfinders over the 60 point mark to the delight of the travelling supporters.

Coventry closed the scoring with a consolation try from Sam Tuitupou in the final minute, but the referee’s whistle signalled a fantastic day as the Trailfinders got back to form in stunning style.

Coventry:

15 David Halaifonua 14 Andy Bulumakau 13 Rob Knox 12 Will Owen 11 Max Trimble 10 Will Maisey 9 Tom Kessell 1 Gerard Ellis 2 Scott Tolmie 3 Phil Bolton (c) 4 James Voss 5 George Oram 6 Adam Peters 7 Ben Nutley 8 Dan Faleafa

Replacements:

16 Phil Nilsen 17 James Gibbons 18 Donald Brighouse 19 Scott Russell 20 Jack Ram 21 Pete White 22 Sam Tuitupou

Scorers:

Tries: Will Maisey (40 minutes) Sam Tuitupou (78 minutes)

Conversions: Will Maisey (40, 78 minutes)

Penalties: Will Maisey (18, 23 minutes)

Ealing Trailfinders:

15 David Johnston 14 Reon Joseph 13 Lewis Jones (replaced by Laurence May, 70 mins) 12 Harry Sloan 11 Seb Stegmann 10 Craig Willis 9 Jordan Burns (replaced by Ryan Foley, 70 mins) 1 Jordan Els (replaced by Matt Beesley, 70 mins) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Matt Cornish, 62 mins) 3 Elliot Millar Mills (replaced by Mark Tampin, 53 mins) 4 Sam Dickinson 5 Harry Casson 6 Ben Landry (replaced by Rohan O’Regan, 53 mins) (replaced by Andrew Durutalo, 62 mins) 7 Rayn Smid © 8 Kieran Murphy

Replacements:

16 Matt Cornish 17 Matt Beesley 18 Mark Tampin 19 Rohan O’Regan 20 Andrew Durutalo 21 Ryan Foley 22 Laurence May

Scorers:

Tries: Reon Joseph (7, 56, 75 minutes) Seb Stegmann (14 minutes) Kieran Murphy (26 minutes) Jordan Burns (32 minutes) David Johnston (43 minutes) Craig Willis (66 minutes) Lewis Jones (68 minutes)

Conversions: Craig Willis (7, 14, 26, 32, 43, 66, 68, 75 minutes)

Referee: Tim Wigglesworth

Half Time Score: Coventry 13 – 28 Ealing Trailfinders

Attendance: 2522