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
A dominant eight-try performance away at Coventry saw Ealing Trailfinders climb to the top of the Championship table.
A brace from Jonah Holmes and a superb defensive display saw the Trailfinders finish the first four games with maximum points and will complete this first block of games at home next weekend as we welcome Richmond to Trailfinders Sports Club.
In recent weeks, Trailfinders have perhaps been slightly slow out of the blocks, but that was not the case this weekend. Within the first five minutes a well worked move allowed Max Bodilly to slice through the Coventry defence and glide to the try-line. Craig Willis slotted the conversion and Ealing were up and running.
After the fast start, Coventry were looking to reset and slowly build into the game by keeping the ball tight and launching their attack through set-piece. On the quarter of an hour mark they looked to go wide on the back of their line-out. The winger ran into Holmes and within an instance the Welsh international had stripped the ball and was running the try in from 70m out. He dotted down under the sticks without anyone laying a finger on him and it was 0-14 in a many minutes.
With a healthy lead, the shackles were off and next came potentially the best try of the day. Slick handling on the half-way line eventually released Holmes through a gap before offloading to Reuben Bird-Tulloch who was next to get his name on the scoresheet.
It took only 32 minutes to wrap up the bonus point, as the forwards drew in the numbers in the centre of the park, allowing the ball to be spun wide. Willis strolled in the four score, with an extras two men queuing up outside of him. He converted his own try to make it 100% off the tee in the first half as Trailfinders went in 0-28 up at the break.
The second half started in a very similar fashion to the first, with a really impressive score. More intricate handling put Luke Daniels into space who drew the final man before putting Holmes into the corner for his second.
It was just after the 50 minute mark that Coventry got their first try as they broke off from a rolling maul five metres out and managed to bundle over in the corner.
Ealing responded almost immediately, with a rolling maul try of our own as Shaun Malton went over from 10 metres out. The forward dominance continued 15 minutes later, as a five metre scrum powered the hosts backwards, allowing Jordan Burns to dot down for his second in as many weeks.
With the clock in the red, Ealing went in search of the half century. An expansive passage of play eventually saw Carlo Tizzano claim the loose ball. The league’s top try-scorer was tap tackled 10m out, but managed to get back to his feet and dive over the line to take his total for the season to five.
Full-time score: Coventry 5-50 Ealing Trailfinders
Coventry 5 – 50 Ealing Trailfinders
T: Bodilly (5th min), Holmes (14th, 43rd min), Bird-Tulloch (24th min), Willis (34th min), Malton (56th min), Burns (70th min), Tizzano (80th min)
C: Willis (5th, 15th, 26th, 34th, 80th min)
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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 produced a stunning second-half performance to register a mightily impressive 55-19 victory over Coventry at Butt’s Park Arena.
The West Londoners scored eight tries in total, including five in the second-half as they continued their perfect start to the season.
Fraser Strachan and James Cordy Redden both scored, whilst Rayn Smid, Will Davis and Simon Uzokwe all crossed twice on a memorable evening for Ben Ward’s men.
The Trailfinders made the best possible start, and scored their first try with less than a minute on the clock. Bobby de Wee charged down Coventry’s exit and looked as if he would make it on himself from just inside the 22, but after being tackled the ball was spun straight to Rayn Smid who strolled over from close range. Craig Willis added the conversion, putting his side 7-0 ahead as the clock went past 60 seconds.
Coventry responded perfectly, and scored two tries in quick succession to take the lead. Play opened up in the midfield with plenty of space as they played at impressive tempo, and Rob Stevenson found himself with a one-on-one in the corner, powering over the final defender to score, which was the first try against the Green and Whites this season.
Just five minutes later a string of penalties saw them kick deep in to the 22, and from the lineout they mauled over the line as Nic Dolly dotted down from the base. Tony Fenner’s touchline conversion put the hosts 12-7 ahead with 15 minutes played.
The visitors then had a huge chance to get level but a fumble at the crucial moment allowed the hosts to escape. Simon Uzokwe broke through after a powerful run and attempted an offload to Johannes Jonker who had acres of space around him, but the pass unfortunately went to ground.
Bobby de Wee was then sent to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle, and then the frustration increased as a rolling maul looked to be powering over but they were penalised for crossing in the act of scoring.
Both sides were matching each other with huge physicality and were trying to inch up the pitch with their kicking game in a tight first half.
Will Davis, who came on with five minutes left of the opening 40 minutes then scored a crucial try in the closing stages to bring his side level. Fraser Strachan broke off the back of a lineout and was brought down just two metres from the line, and the visitors built patiently before the proper crossed to continue his try-scoring form. The conversion came back off the post, and the sides went down the tunnel all square at 12-12 at the break.
The Trailfinders came out totally reinvigorated for the second half and took control of the match with a simply sensational spell of play which saw them pull away from their opponents.
The captain started the second half like he did the first with a try, and this time it was a brilliant individual effort. The skipper got the ball 25 metres out, and bulldozed his way over the first defence before showing his searing pace to run clear and dive under the posts. The conversion from Willis gave the visitors a seven point lead.
Just two minutes later Fraser Strachan scored for the third week in a row to secure the try bonus point. The ball comically came off Smid’s head in the air, and then fell to Elliot Millar Mills, who offloaded brilliantly and then found the centre who was able to glide over under the sticks.
Angus Kernohan was inches away from joining the party as he looked to gather Willis’ cross-field kick, but the bounce of the ball was cruel and it went dead.
Simon Uzokwe then marked his first competitive start for the club with two tries in four minutes as the Trailfinders continued to go through the gears.
A quick tap penalty took the Trailfinders just five metres out from the line, and then the powerful back-rower was never going to be stopped from close range as he rampaged over the whitewash. The extras took the lead over 20 points.
Uzokwe got his second virtually straight from the restart, as a penalty was kicked to the corner and the maul hammered to the line with the flanker the beneficiary to score again.
There was still time for plenty more action in the final quarter, as more gloss was added to the scoreboard.
Coventry scored their third from the base of a scrum as they caught the defence off guard, but the Trailfinders crossed twice in the last 10 minutes to bring up the half century.
Will Davis went over for his second as his scoring run continued. New signing Matt Gordon crashed through four tackles as he got over the gain line, and then the prop was able to stretch to the line from the next phase.
Steven Shingler landed a monstrous penalty with two minutes left as his right boot dissected the posts from 45 metres out, and then James Cordy Redden scored a brilliant individual try with the final play of the match.
Turnover ball saw the visitors on the counter, and the winger was released one-on-one with 50 metres ahead of him, and he showed impressive pace to beat the final man and sign off the victory in great style.
Shingler’s touchline conversion signalled an end to the match, and concluded their best performance of the season so far with a 55-19 victory.
Coventry:
15 Louis Brown 14 Rob Stevenson 13 Andy Forsyth 12 Will Owen 11 Louis James 10 Tony Fenner 9 Pete White 1 Toby Trinder 2 Nic Dolly 3 Phil Boulton 4 Nile Dacres 5 Cameron Jordan 6 Sam Lewis 7 Ben Nutley 8 Ryan Burrows (c)
Replacements:
16 Suva Ma’asi 17 Luc Jeannot 18 Alex Gibson 19 Adam Peters 20 Senitiki Nayalo 21 Joe Snow 22 Kieran Wilkinson 23 Rob Knox
Scorers:
Tries: Rob Stevenson (6 minutes) Nic Dolly (12 minutes) (70 minutes)
Conversions: Tony Fenner (12, 70 minutes)
Ealing Trailfinders:
15 Luke Daniels 14 Angus Kernohan 13 David Johnston 12 Fraser Strachan (replaced by Matt Gordon, 70 mins) 11 James Cordy Redden (replaced by Shaun Malton, 65 mins) 10 Craig Willis (replaced by Steven Shingler, 70 mins) 9 Craig Hampson (replaced by Jordan Buns, 75 mins) 1 Kyle Whyte (replaced by Will Davis, 35 mins) 2 Alun Walker 3 Johannes Jonker (replaced by Elliot Millar Mills, 35 mins) 4 Bobby de Wee (replaced by Ben West, 75 mins) 5 James Cannon 6 Kieran Murphy 7 Simon Uzokwe (replaced by Guy Thompson, 65 mins) 8 Rayn Smid (c)
Replacements:
16 Shaun Malton 17 Will Davis 18 Elliot Millar Mills 19 Ben West 20 Guy Thompson 21 Jordan Burns 22 Steven Shingler 23 Matt Gordon
Scorers:
Tries: Rayn Smid (1, 44 minute) Will Davis (39, 74 minutes) Fraser Strachan (47 minutes) Simon Uzokwe (54, 58 minutes) James Cordy Redden (79 minutes)
Conversions: Craig Willis (1, 44, 47, 54 minutes) Steven Shingler (79 minutes)
Penalties: Steven Shingler (77 minutes)
Yellow Card: Bobby de Wee (22 minutes)
Match Officials:
Referee: Alex Thomas
Assistant Referees: Steve Lee & Simon Park
Fourth Official: Carl Adams
Half Time Score: Coventry 12-12 Ealing Trailfinders
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 Trailfinders made it three wins from three in the Championship Cup after a hard-fought 22-17 victory over Coventry at Butt’s Park Arena.
Ben Ward’s side were made to work extremely hard to leave the Midlands with the win, and showed enormous character in the final quarter to ensure that they took control of the pool with another crucial win.
The West Londoners came flying out of the blocks and immediately looked comfortable on the new 4G surface that Coventry have installed, which showed with a try from Kieran Murphy after just six minutes.
A scrum deep in the Coventry 22 gave the Trailfinders the perfect platform and after building towards the line, Murphy used his powerful in emphatic style to open the scoring. Steven Shingler added the conversion to give his side a seven point lead.
That lead was extended just three minutes later with another try to stun the home crowd. Shingler’s flat pass over the top of the defence released Sam Dickinson down the wing, and the Club Captain drew in the final defender to allow James Cordy Redden a clear run to the line from 20 metres. The conversion went narrowly wide, but the visitors were looking in imperious form with just 10 minutes on the clock.
The hosts then responded immediately with a try of their own to add to what had been an eventful opening quarter. A penalty was kicked to the corner, and the rolling maul rampaged to the line before Scott Tolmie broke away to score which cut the lead to seven points.
A number of chances then passed by for the Trailfinders who were looking to regain control of the match ahead of half time. Craig Hampson’s grubber ahead had Pat Howard chasing after it but the bounce of the ball beat everyone.
Kieran Murphy then looked to have scored his second try as he stretched out to dot the ball down, but the referee judged that he had been held up over the line.
The lead grew to 10 points after 35 minutes as Steven Shingler’s penalty sailed through the posts, but it would be Coventry who headed in to the break with the momentum as they scored with the final play of the half.
Rory Jennings’ cross field kick was gathered by Rob Knox who towered above the defence to score in the corner and send his side down the tunnel trailing by five points at half time.
The Trailfinders made the perfect start to the second half to gave themselves breathing space with a try from Rayn Smid after just two minutes. Sam Dickinson went flying through a gap in the defence but was hauled down just a metre from the line, and when the ball was recycled Smid was on hand to bundle over the line. Shingler’s conversion was successful, extending the advantage to 12 points.
The play was then dominated by the visitors who had their eyes on the four-ty bonus point, but they were continuously frustrated as the chances weren’t converted. Craig Hampson dotted the ball down from inches away and cued the celebrations, however a double movement once again saw the hosts survive.
Coventry then got back in to the game with 15 minutes remaining to see the home supporters erupt. A long looping pass was intercepted and James Stokes went the length of the field to dive under the posts, before Will Maisey’s conversion cut the lead to just five points.
The Green and Whites then utilised the bench and were forced to use all of their character as the defence held firm, and with just seconds left they smashed the ball in to the stands to confirm an impressive win on the road.
Coventry:
15 James Stokes 14 Junior Bulumakau 13 Rob Knox 12 Heath Stevens 11 Max Trimble 10 Rory Jennings 9 Tom Kessell 1 Toby Trinder 2 Scott Tolmie 3 Phil Boulton © 4 Alex Woolford 5 Nile Dacres 6 Adam Peters 7 Luke Wallace 8 Senitiki Nayalo
Replacements:
16 Darren Dawidiuk 17 James Gibbons 18 Gareth Denman 19 Ben Nutley 20 Jack Ram 21 Pete White 22 Will Maisey 23 Will Owen
Scorers:
Tries: Scott Tolmie (14 minutes) Rob Knox (40 minutes) James Stokes (63 minutes)
Conversions: Will Maisey (63 minutes)
Ealing Trailfinders:
15 Tommy Bell (replaced by Jack Tovey, 70 mins) 14 James Cordy Redden 13 David Johnston 12 Pat Howard 11 Reon Joseph 10 Steven Shingler (replaced by Craig Willis, 55 mins) 9 Craig Hampson (replaced by Nathan Fowles, 60 mins) 1 Jordan Els (replaced by Will Davis, 50 mins) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Matt Cornish, 65 mins) 3 Craig Trenier (replaced by George Davis, 55 mins) 4 Sam Dickinson (replaced by Dave McKern, 60 mins) 5 James Cannon 6 Kieran Murphy 7 Jordy Reid 8 Rayn Smid ©
Replacements:
16 Matt Cornish 17 Will Davis 18 George Davis 19 Dave McKern 20 Andrew Durutalo 21 Nathan Fowles 22 Craig Willis 23 Jack Tovey
Scorers:
Tries: Kieran Murphy (6 minutes) James Cordy Redden (10 minutes) Rayn Smid (43 minutes)
Conversions: Steven Shingler (6, 43 minutes)
Penalties: Steven Shingler (35 minutes)
Match Officials:
Referee: Hamish Smales
Assistant Referees: Simon Adams & Peter Allan
Half Time Score: Coventry 10-15 Ealing Trailfinders
Attendance: 2065
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
Ealing Trailfinders started their pre-season preparations with a winning start with a four-try win over Coventry at Butts Park Arena.
Rhys Lawrence, Luke Daniels, Joe Munro and debutant Mark Bright scored tries, along with conversions from Jonny Bentley and Luke Daniels.
Hooker Lawrence scored the first points of the match when he slipped through the home team’s defence to finish off a move that began deep in the Ealing Trailfinders’ half.
Coventry didn’t sit back and soon after they were level when left wing Max Trimble raced home following good work by Coventry’s fly-half Tony Fenner, who drew the scores level with the conversion.
The two teams continued to slug it out over the remainder of the half until Daniels used his pace to cross from close range and then as the clock ticked down to half-time Munro took the ball on a crash and forced his way across the line.
Daniels added both conversion to put Ben Ward’s team fully in control at the half.
Again the home team came back in the second half, but Ealing Trailfinders defence stood tall and when they threatened to score off a line-out the pack worked hard to ensure Coventry didn’t capitalise up their position.
Eventually it was Ealing Trailfinders who broke the deadlock when Bright latched onto the back of a driven line-out to touch down for his first try in Ealing Trailfinders colours.
Scorers
Coventry
Tries (Trimble 18), Conversions (Fenner 18)
Ealing Trailfinders (Lawrence 11, Daniels 37, Munro 40, Bright 66), Conversions (Bentley 12, Daniels 37, 40, 66)
Coventry
15 James Stokes, 14 Dan Rundle, 13 Brendan Burke, 12 Tom Wheatcroft, 11 Max Trimble, 10 Tony Fenner, 9 Sam Grasso, 8 Darrell Dyer, 7 Eoghan Grace (captain), 6 Brett Davies, 5 Brendon Snyman, 4 Tom Jubb, 3 Phil Boulton, 2 Scott Tolmie, 1 Andy Brown
Reserves
Matt Price, Boris Stankovich, Jimmy Litchfield, Rob Conquest, Ali Bone, Rhodri Adamson, Will Maisey, Corey Hircock, James Pritchard
Ealing Trailfinders
15 Luke Daniels, 14 Callum Wilson, 13 James Cordy Redden, 12 Joe Munro, 11 Phil Chesters, 10 Jonny Bentley, 9 Alex Walker; 8 Willie Ryan, 7 Arthur Ellis, 6 Chris York (captain), 5 Adam Preocanin, 4 Carwyn Jones, 3 Lewis Thiede, 2 Rhys Lawrence, 1 Will Davis
Reserves
Nacho Lancuba, Alun Walker, Llewelyn Jones, Iain Grieve, Mike MacFarlane, Mark Bright, Josh Davies, Ben Ward, Aled Jenkins, Curtis Wilson, Alex Walker, James Gibbons, Matt Cornish