Ealing Trailfinders were crowned 23/24 Championship Champions after their 20-12 loss to Doncaster at Castle Park due to Cornish Pirates’ win over Coventry.
Tries from Matt Cornish and Tom Collins were not enough to give Trailfinders the win on the day.
The result sets up the perfect end to the campaign as Ealing Trailfinders host Bedford Blues on May 25th.
Surprisingly given the stakes, Trailfinders started brightly. Playing straight into the Doncaster 22 and giving Cornish the opportunity to score one of his patented tries on the back of Trailfinders’ rolling maul.
However, this is where the creative freedom would stop for the Trailfinders with the game turning into a scrappy affair despite the perfect atmospheric conditions.
The Castle Park faithful had to wait almost 20 minutes for the next score. Ex-Trailfinder Ollie Fox crossing the whitewash against his old club to level the scores.
Bad then turned to worse as Craig Willis and Tom Collins were yellow carded in quick succession leaving Trailfinders with 13.
Following Tom Collins’ sin bin, Russ Bennett knocked over an easy penalty to leave the Knights up 10-7 at the break.
Much like the first term, the second half was a tense affair.
Trailfinders dealt with their player deficit well early on in the half, and back to the full compliment, created enough space for Tom Collins to beat two Doncaster players to finish brilliantly in the corner.
Doncaster would reply instantly, however, to grab the lead back with 20 to play in the game.
With a Russ Bennett penalty tacked on, Doncaster would close out the occasion to win 20-12.
Following Cornish Pirates 22-12 victory over Coventry, however, Ealing Trailfinders were crowned champions.
Thank you so much to all the fans that have supported us all year.
Ealing Trailfinders put in a strong second-half performance away in Doncaster to secure a 14-35 victory to end their Championship season on a high.
After the disappointment of last weekend, the Trailfinders did well to bounce back against last year’s runners-up, running in five tries including a brace from substitute Bobby De Wee.
After a physical opening ten minutes, the Trailfinders were finally able to get the first score of the game. Following a hard-fought passage of play, the visitors were able to work their way up to the Doncaster 22 from well inside their own half. When the hosts then infringed at the breakdown, the Londoners went to the corner and after several phases, Luke Daniels was able to dot down before impressively converting his own kick from the touchline.
Despite this score, Trailfinders put themselves immediately under pressure from the restart as they gave away a penalty. The Knights were then able to go to the corner and after repeated infringements, Robbie Smith was able to level up for the hosts as he crossed while on a penalty advantage. The extras were added and Shaun Malton was also sent to the bin for repeated team penalties.
The Londoners then did very well to cope with being a man down for most of the next ten minutes. However, with the final play before Malton came back on, Doncaster were able to get themselves into the Trailfinders 22 and after tying in the defenders, they spun it wide as Smith went in for his second before the extras were added from the touchline.
With the first half ticking into its final five minutes, Trailfinders needed something to level up the scores, and Uzokwe was able to deliver. The backrow shrugged off one tackle on the halfway before sprinting clear. He then drew in the fullback before offloading to Bobby De Wee who went in under the posts unopposed. Daniels converted to make the score 14-14 at the break.
The second half got off to a much better start than the first, with Trailfinders quickly gaining territory in the Knights half. After a good attack, an infringement at the breakdown, saw them then able to go to the corner. After faking the maul, they then went through the phases before the ball found its way to De Wee who impressively reached out to grab his second. Daniels kept up his 100% record from the tee despite the tough angle.
Shortly after the restart, the Londoners quickly found themselves back in the Doncaster 22. A penalty allowed them to go to the corner, but just as they got their rolling maul going, the hosts illegally collapsed it. After three further trips to the corner and three subsequent penalties, the Knights were put on a final warning. Although they were then able to legally stop the Trailfinders drive, the visitors went through the phases, eventually seeing Reuben Bird-Tulloch run in under the sticks unopposed.
Ten minutes later, the green and whites had their fifth score, as a penalty in midfield saw them again go to the corner. After getting within 10m of the line, a powerful pick and go game saw Will Davis power over for his third try in just over a month.
As the final fifteen minutes ticked away, Trailfinders looked the more likely of the two sides to score, but the Knights defence held firm and the visitors had to settle for a 14-35 victory.
Although the league season is now over, the Trailfinders will be in action next weekend as they look to retain the Championship Cup. They will be facing Doncaster Knights again, this time at Trailfinders Sports Club, on Saturday 6th May at 3pm, get your tickets for this game here.
Full-time score: Doncaster Knights 14-35 Ealing Trailfinders
T: Daniels 13’, De Wee 35’, 46’, Bird-Tulloch 56’, W. Davis 65’
C: Daniels 14’, 35’, 46’, 56’, 65’
Ealing Trailfinders made it two wins from two in the Trailfinders Challenge Cup after an impressive 46-26 victory over Doncaster Knights at Castle Park.
Ben Ward’s side scored seven tries in total and dominated throughout, with James Cordy Redden, Will Davis, Bobby de Wee, Guy Thompson, Craig Hampson, David Johnston and Dean Hammond all crossing the try-line.
Despite the convincing victory, it was the Knights who started strongly and took the lead after just four minutes. The Trailfinders were on the attack but a fumble allowed Tom Bacon to grab the ball and race away from 80 metres out to dive under the posts. Sam Olver’s conversion gave the hosts a 7-0 advantage.
That seemed to galvanise the West Londoners, who went up a level for the remainder of the first half as they took control of the match.
James Cordy Redden marked his return to the starting line-up with a try to get the visitors off the mark with 15 minutes played. Luke Daniels carried to within five metres, and then an overlap on the shortside saw the ball go through the hands quickly to the winger who finished acrobatically in the corner. Craig Willis’ touchline conversion brought his side level.
Will Davis then gave the Trailfinders the lead with a brilliant individual try. The loosehead prop gathered the ball just inside the 22 and bulldozed past his opposite number before showing a turn of pace to stretch to the line. Willis added the extras for a seven point lead.
Bobby de Wee then scored his first try for the club just before the half hour mark as the lead continued to increase. A penalty was kicked to the corner and then from just five metres out the rolling maul powered over with the South African the beneficiary.
Guy Thompson then got the bonus point try before the break from another rolling maul. The set-piece was giving the Trailfinders the ideal platform, and now it was the flanker’s turn to cross the whitewash from close range as the visitors flexed their muscles. Willis’ conversion meant the lead was up to 19, and there was still time for one more try as we approached half time.
In the final play, Mitchell attempted to kick the ball in to touch but Craig Hampson read it and charged it down, with the ball bouncing up perfectly for the scrum-half who could stroll over the line. The conversion from Willis meant that the Green and Whites headed down the tunnel with a 33-7 lead.
Doncaster rallied at the start of the second-half and scored twice in the opening 10 minutes to get themselves back in to the match.
Kyle Evans gathered a cross-field kick to score in the corner, and then Will Holling went over from a rolling maul as the lead was cut to 12 points with 30 minutes remaining.
The Trailfinders then responded brilliantly with a sensational try from David Johnston. Cordy Redden broke through the middle and then Steven Shingler’s inch-perfect kick found the Irishman in the corner who timed his turn to perfection and slid over to score.
Ben Ward then made a large number of replacements as the squad got some much-needed game-time and aimed to see out the final quarter.
Doncaster then got a deserved bonus point on the hour mark as Aaron Reed scored their fourth try. The winger got the ball in open play with 25 metres ahead of him and raced away to show his pace against a tiring defence.
That try meant the lead was down to 12 points, but Steven Shingler then smashed a close-range penalty through the posts to move the gap over two converted tries.
Dean Hammond then rounded off the scoring with a fantastic try to cap a memorable away performance. Pat Howard broke through the defence and stormed in to the 22, before offloading to the winger who slid over despite a last ditch tackle.
Shingler then smashed the ball off the park as the visitors signalled their intent ahead of the trip to Saracens next Saturday in the next round.
Doncaster Knights:
15 Tom Bacon 14 Kyle Evans 13 Charlie Foley 12 Mark Best 11 Aaron Reed 10 Sam Olver 9 James Mitchell 1 Conrad Cade 2 Will Holling 3 Joe Jones 4 Matt Challinor (c) 5 Matt Smith 6 Will Britton 7 Sam Graham 8 Guido Volpi
Replacements:
16 Josh Pieterse 17 George Roberts 18 Andrew Foster 19 John Kelly 20 Jack Davies 21 Gus Warr 22 Billy McBryde 23 Harry Strong
Scorers:
Tries: Tom Bacon (4 minutes) Kyle Evans (44 minutes) Will Holling (50 minutes) Aaron Reed (60 minutes)
Conversions: Sam Olver (4, 44. 50 minutes)
Ealing Trailfinders:
15 Luke Daniels 14 James Cordy Redden 13 David Johnston 12 Pat Howard (replaced by Fraser Strachan, 75 mins) 11 Dean Hammond 10 Craig Willis (replaced by Steven Shingler, 50 mins) 9 Craig Hampson (replaced by Jordan Burns, 65 mins) 1 Will Davis (replaced by Elliot Chilvers, 70 mins) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Shaun Malton, 50 mins) 3 Elliot Millar Mills (replaced by George Davis, 15 mins) 4 Bobby de Wee 5 Ben West (replaced by Abongile Nonkontwana (60 mins) 6 Kieran Murphy (replaced by Adam Korczyk, 50 mins) 7 Guy Thompson 8 Rayn Smid (c)
Replacements:
16 Shaun Malton 17 Elliot Chilvers 18 George Davis 19 Abongile Nonkontwana 20 Adam Korczyk 21 Jordan Burns 22 Steven Shingler 23 Fraser Strachan
Scorers:
Tries: James Cordy Redden (15 minutes) Will Davis (20 minutes) Bobby de Wee (28 minutes) Guy Thompson (33 minutes) Craig Hampson (40 minutes) David Johnston (52 minutes) Dean Hammond (74 minutes)
Conversions: Craig Willis (15, 20, 33 minutes)
Penalties: Steven Shingler (65 minutes)
Referee: Hamish Smales
Half Time Score: Doncaster Knights 7-33 Ealing Trailfinders
Trailfinders Challenge Cup Man of the Match: Craig Hampson
Ealing Trailfinders moved up to second in the Greene King IPA Championship after grinding out a crucial 24-9 win against Doncaster Knights in a dogged display at Castle Park.
Ben Ward’s side held a one point lead at the break but controlled the game in the second half to ensure that they made it two away wins in a row, ending the first block of league matches on a high.
The first half was an arm-wrestle throughout with neither side able to gain any momentum due to a lack of discipline, and by the end of the match referee Tim Wigglesworth had awarded 30 penalties as both teams struggled in the conditions.
The Trailfinders started well but failed to convert their dominance in to points after chances for both Harry Sloan and Sam Dickinson passed by, and then the Knights edged ahead from the kicking tee.
Sam Olver put the hosts 3-0 in front on the 20 minute mark, but straight from the re-start the Trailfinders got a penalty of their own and Craig Willis smashed it through the posts to level the score.
Lewis Jones was sent to the sin-bin for a high tackle with 30 minutes on the clock and from the resulting penalty Olver edged the Knights 6-3 ahead, but there was time before the break for the visitors to make their mark.
A penalty was kicked to the corner just 10 metres from the try-line, and a smart move saw Andrew Durutalo smash his way over the line to put the Trailfinders in front for the first time in the game. Willis converted, extending the lead to four points as half time approached.
Olver was then on the money from the tee again with the final play of the half, meaning that the Trailfinders were one point in front as the teams headed down the tunnel.
There was a different side to the Green and Whites in the second half, they came out with far greater intensity and purpose as they went in search of the victory.
With 50 minutes on the clock a whole host of replacements were made and they had an outstanding impact to boost the Trailfinders to the win.
They were left frustrated as once again their discipline was costing them at crucial moments, but as the clock ticked past the hour mark they landed the killer punch.
A five metre scrum gave them the platform, and Will Davis then picked his way to the line to dot down for the decisive score. Willis’ conversion took the lead up to eight points, crucially beyond a converted try.
Craig Willis then shone with a number of kicks in behind to ensure that the Knights were unable to threaten, and with just two minutes remaining Rayn Smid scored to put some extra gloss on the scoreboard.
A penalty was taken quickly by Nathan Fowles, and he had the captain on his shoulder who powered over in trademark style. Willis added the extras to give the travelling supporters another reason to smile.
In the final play of the match the Trailfinders chased the bonus point but ran out of time, and the ball was smashed in to touch to confirm an impressive win.
Doncaster Knights:
15 Howard Packman 14 Kyle Evans 13 Lloyd Hayes 12 Charlie Foley 11 Tyson Lewis 10 Sam Olver 9 Tom James 1 Robin Hislop 2 Ben Hunter 3 Andy Foster 4 Rob Farrar 5 Morgan Eames 6 Rouban Birch 7 George Edgson 8 Tom Calladine ©
Replacements:
16 Will Holling 17 Marc Thomas 18 Dan Suter 19 Wian Conradie 20 Joe Sproston 21 Sam Pocklington 22 Cameron Cowell 23 Connor Doherty
Scorers:
Penalties: Sam Olver (21, 36, 40 minutes)
Ealing Trailfinders:
15 David Johnston 14 Elijah Niko 13 Lewis Jones (replaced by Tommy Bell, 75 mins) 12 Harry Sloan 11 Reon Joseph 10 Craig Willis 9 Craig Hampson (replaced by Nathan Fowles, 50 mins) 1 Will Davis (replaced by Jake Ellwood, 60 mins) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Matt Cornish, 65 mins) 3 Elliot Millar Mills (replaced by Craig Trenier, 50 mins) 4 Sam Dickinson (replaced by Kieran Murphy, 50 mins) 5 Ben West (replaced by Harry Casson, 50 mins) 6 Jordy Reid 7 Andrew Durutalo (replaced by Oli Robinson, 75 mins) 8 Rayn Smid ©
Replacements:
16 Matt Cornish 17 Jake Ellwood 18 Craig Trenier 19 Harry Casson 20 Kieran Murphy 21 Oli Robinson 22 Nathan Fowles 23 Tommy Bell
Scorers:
Tries: Andrew Durutalo (38 minutes) Will Davis (60 minutes) Rayn Smid (79 minutes)
Conversions: Craig Willis (38, 60, 79 minutes)
Penalties: Craig Willis (23 minutes)
Yellow Cards: Lewis Jones, Harry Casson
Match Officials:
Referee: Tim Wigglesworth
Assistant Referees: Simon Park & Peter Allan
Half Time Score: Doncaster Knights 9-10 Ealing Trailfinders
Attendance: 988
Ealing Trailfinders got their third consecutive victory with a highly impressive 38-22 bonus point win over Doncaster Knights at Castle Park.
Ben Ward’s men scored five tries in total thanks to a double from James Cordy Redden as well as scores from Lewis Jones, Peter Lydon and Pat Howard to register a significant away win to further boost the confidence in the newly assembled squad.
The Trailfinders got off to an encouraging start with James Cordy Redden going close to scoring with the first play of the match. The winger claimed the kick off and ran straight through the defence, but after covering 50 metres he was brought down short and the Knights regained possession.
The hosts then took an early lead with a penalty from Kurt Morath, but from then on the visitors dominated the opening 40 minutes to take control of the match.
Cordy Redden went over for the first try of the match with 12 minutes on the clock as his side took the lead. Ollie Stedman made a powerful break through the middle against his former side, and after going through the phases Craig Willis dropped in to the pocket before executing an inch-perfect cross field kick which found the winger in acres of space to dot down in the corner. Peter Lydon, who was 100% with the boot converted from the touchline to put the Trailfinders 7-3 in front.
That lead was nearly doubled with another break straight from the restart. This time it was Luke Carter who dummied his way past the first line of defence but again he was brought down and the hosts survived.
The second try arrived shortly afterwards and was scored by Lewis Jones. A penalty was kicked to the corner, and after gathering the lineout Jordy Reid pulled away from the maul to spin the ball to Jones who hit the ball at pace and smashed over the line from close range. Lydon again converted to extend the lead to 11 points.
The home side then started to see more of the ball but a third try from the Trailfinders gave them significant breathing space with half time approaching. Carter made another trademark dummy from a ruck to run straight through the Knights, he then drew in the final defender and passed to Lydon who had a clear run to the line. He converted his own try to the delight of the travelling supporters.
Doncaster got back in to the match with a try right on half time to give themselves a lift at the break. A penalty was kicked to the corner, and a powerful rolling maul allowed hooker James Malcolm to drive over the line. The conversion went wide, meaning Ben Ward’s men held 13 point lead at the break.
The next score was always likely to be crucial and it came from James Cordy Redden just five minutes in to the second half as he got his second of the match to stretch the lead further. After going through the phases in the Doncaster 22, Craig Willis fizzed a pass wide to the winger who was able to dive over the line in the corner to secure the bonus point. Lydon converted again from the touchline.
Doncaster then came back in to the match and two tries in quick succession from former Trailfinders ensured that they would make it a nervy ending at Castle Park.
A chip in behind found Curtis Wilson who was able to score in the corner after a kind bounce, and then Willie Ryan was at the back of a maul to power over the line with 15 minutes remaining. Both conversions from Kurt Morath were successful to cut the deficit to just six points.
With 10 minutes left on the clock Alun Walker thought he had driven over the line but the referee came back for an earlier infringement, and crucially Toby Williams was sent to the sin bin meaning the Knights would play with 14 for the rest of the match.
Lydon kicked the resulting penalty to put his side more than a score in front, and then an outstanding try from Man of the Match Pat Howard put the game beyond doubt.
A scrum in the Doncaster 22 gave the visitors a great attacking position, and Carter spun the ball to Howard who bulldozed his way over four defenders and crashed over the line which triggered jubilant celebrations amongst the squad. Lydon’s conversion was to be the final significant moment of the match, with the Trailfinders recording an impressive 38-22 victory.
Doncaster Knights:
15. Paul Jarvis, 14. Steve McColl, 13. Lloyd Hayes, 12. Elliott Creed, 11. Curtis Wilson, 10. Kurt Morath, 9. Tom James, 1. Robin Hislop, 2. James Malcolm, 3. Colin Quigley, 4. Matt Challinor, 5. Nick Civetta, 6. Willie Ryan, 7. Tom Calladine, 8. Josh Tyrell
Replacements:
16. Dave Nelson, 17. Toby Williams, 18. Joe Sproston, 19. Morgan Eames, 20. Tom Hicks, 21. Henry Seniloli, 22. Cameron Cowell
Scorers:
Tries: James Malcolm (40 minutes) Curtis Wilson (49 minutes) Willie Ryan (66 minutes)
Conversions: Kurt Morath (49, 66 minutes)
Penalties: Kurt Morath (3 minutes)
Yellow Card: Toby Williams
Ealing Trailfinders:
15 Peter Lydon 14 Howard Packman 13 Lewis Jones 12 Pat Howard 11 James Cordy Redden 10 Craig Willis 9 Luke Carter 1 Jake Ellwood (replaced by Jack O’Connell, 40 mins) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Matt Cornish, 75 mins) 3 George Davis (replaced by Ben Betts, 60 mins) 4 Ben Landry 5 Tom Denton 6 Rayn Smid (c) (replaced by Andrew Durutalo, 40 mins) 7 Jordy Reid 8 Ollie Stedman (replaced by Rohan O’Regan, 68 mins)
Replacements:
16 Matt Cornish 17 Jack O’Connell 18 Ben Betts 19 Rohan O’Regan 20 Andrew Durutalo 21 Jordan Burns 22 Sam Olver
Scorers:
Tries: James Cordy Redden (12, 45 minutes) Lewis Jones (16 minutes) Peter Lydon (35 minutes) Pat Howard (77 minutes)
Conversions: Peter Lydon (12, 17, 35, 45, 77 minutes)
Penalties: Peter Lydon (72 minutes)
Match Officials:
Referee: Matthew Carley
Assistant Referees: Clare Daniels & Lionel Spooner
Fourth Official: Geraint Roberts
Half Time Score: Doncaster Knights 8 – 21 Ealing Trailfinders
Attendance: 926
Doncaster Knights overpowered an uncharacteristically lethargic Ealing Trailfinders as the Londoners suffered their first defeat since February, falling 50-19 to the Knights at Castle Park.
The Knights scored seven tries and despite two scores from James Cordy Redden as well as a try from Luke Carter there was to be no repeat of a number of memorable comebacks this season as a relentless display from the hosts gave them a deserved victory.
Doncaster got off to the perfect start with a try in the opening two minutes from Lloyd Hayes. The Trailfinders had possession and were looking to go forward, but a turnover was spun wide and allowed the inside centre to dive over in the corner for the first points of the afternoon. Dougie Flockhart’s touchline conversion gave the Knights an early 7-0 lead.
That lead was doubled on the 10 minute mark as Cameron Cowell went over for the second try of the match. Again the Trailfinders were in possession but lost the ball softly, and the ball fell in to the arms of the full-back who had a clear run to the line from 40 metres out. Flockhart again converted to extend their lead to 14-0.
The West Londoners then began to settle and came back in to the match with a try from Luke Carter. Three consecutive penalties took them right up to the try-line, and despite the maul being brought down the scrum half was able to power over from close range to score. Luke Daniels converted to cut the deficit to just seven points.
Doncaster then dominated possession for the remainder of the first half and could have been further in front but two missed penalties from Flockhart let Ben Ward’s men off the hook.
However a third try for the Knights with just five minutes left of the first 40 minutes gave them further breathing space. Aaron Penberthy’s wide looping pass was intercepted by Andy Bulumakau who showed impressive pace to make it to the line. Flockhart converted to put his side 21-7 as half time approached.
With the final play of the half a chance for the visitors saw a loose ball pounced on by Lewis Jones who ran up to the half way line, but his grubber ahead was gathered by former Ealing man Curtis Wilson who kicked the ball out to signal the end of the first half.
Doncaster got off to the perfect start in the second half with another try from Andy Bulumaku to put themselves firmly in control. A number of phases saw them edge towards the line, and then the centre beat his defender to dive over for the bonus point try.
The Trailfinders responded straight away as they began what would need to be a remarkable turn around. Luke Carter and Joe Munro combined in the midfield to break the line of defence, and then the ball found the big winger who powered over the final defender to score. The conversion from Daniels cut the gap to 28-14, but it was Doncaster who were to get the next score to all but end the contest.
Jack Ram bundled over from a five metre lineout to put the result beyond doubt, and that was quickly followed by another try for the hosts as Charlie Foley’s neat dummy saw him run straight through the middle of the defence to bring up the 40 point mark.
Cordy Redden then got a late consolation for the Trailfinders as a break from debutant Ollie Stedman gave them front foot ball and allowed the winger to score in the corner, but the final score of the day would deservedly go to the hosts as Curtis Langdon went over from the base of a scrum to round off a miserable day for the Londoners.
Ben Ward’s side now welcome Hartpury to Vallis Way next weekend as they look to get back to winning ways, knowing a victory will secure them second place in the Greene King IPA Championship.
Doncaster Knights:
15 Cameron Cowell, 14 Dougie Flockhart, 13 Andy Bulumakau, 12 Lloyd Hayes, 11 Curtis Wilson, 10 Charlie Foley, 9 Tom James, 1 Richard List, 2 Ben Hunter, 3 Colin Quigley, 4) Matt Challinor, 5) Nick Civetta, 6) Alex Shaw, 7) Jack Ram 8) Josh Tyrell
Replacements:
16) Curtis Langdon, 17) Jack Bergmanas, 18) Joe Sproston, 19) Adam Batt, 20) Jason Hill, 21) Michael Heaney, 22) Tyson Lewis
Scorers:
Tries: Lloyd Hayes (2 minutes) Cameron Cowell (11 minutes) Andy Bulumakau (36, 47 minutes) Jack Ram (60 minutes) Charlie Foley (64 minutes) Curtis Langdon (78 minutes)
Conversions: Dougie Flockhart (2, 11, 36, 47, 64, 78 minutes)
Penalties: Dougie Flockhart (68 minutes)
Ealing Trailfinders:
15 Luke Daniels 14 Will Harries (replaced by Peter Lydon, 50 mins) 13 Lewis Jones 12 Joe Munro 11 James Cordy Redden 10 Aaron Penberthy 9 Luke Carter (replaced by Dan Grant Adamson, 70 mins) 1 James Gibbons (replaced by Alex Lundberg, 40 mins) 2 Matt Cornish (replaced by Alun Walker, 53 mins)3 Mark Tampin (replaced by Lewis Thiede, 40 mins) 4 Sam Dickinson (replaced by Ollie Stedman, 65 mins) 5 Harry Casson 6 Kieran Murphy (c) 7 Rayn Smid (replaced by Arthur Ellis, 50 mins) 8 Mark Bright
Replacements:
16 Alun Walker 17 Alex Lundberg 18 Lewis Thiede 19 Ollie Stedman 20 Dan Temm 21 Dan Grant Adamson 22 Peter Lydon
Scorers:
Tries: Luke Carter (17 minutes) James Cordy Redden (52, 69 minutes)
Conversions: Luke Daniels (17, 52 minutes)
Match Officials:
Referee: Andrew Jackson
Assistant Referees: William Burton & Simon Park
Fourth Official: Michael Harris
Half Time Score: Doncaster Knights 21 – 7 Ealing Trailfinders
Attendance: 957
Ealing Trailfinders secured a second consecutive win on the road in the Greene King IPA Championship and in doing so closed the gap to Doncaster Knights in third place to four points.
It was an impressive performance by Ben Ward’s side who dominated the first half and then withstood a Knights’ fightback as fulltime drew near.
Four Aaron Penberthy penalties put Ealing Trailfindes 9-3 ahead at half-time, though the Knights defence had stopped them from breeching the try-line. Barney Maddison made the breakthrough midway through the second half, but when Knights debutant Aaron Carpenter scored on his debut with eight minutes remaining it appeared as though the Yorkshiremen had performed a smash and grab job.
However, the team maintained their focus as the clock ran down and Joe Munro cut a strong line from a scrum to retake the lead. Penberthy’s conversion and then drop goal just before the final whistle meant that there would also be no bonus point for the hosts.
Ealing Trailfinders didn’t hang around and began in determined mood. Penberthy scored his first penalty for an early lead, but the Knights hit back with one of their own through Dougie Flockhart.
The match continued became a battle of Ealing Trailfinders’ attack against Doncaster Knights defence, who held out the visitor’s efforts on a number of occasions. They did add another two penalties through Penberthy’s right boot when wing Sean Scanlon was in the sin-bin for making contact with James Cordy-Redden in the air.
The second half began in the same vein when Penberthy scored his fourth penalty after Knights centre Lloyd Hayes had become the second play to be yellow-carded.
They responded immediately when Michael Heaney pounced on a loose restart to run in the first try of the match to bring the score to 12-8, but Maddison then took advantage of a pass straight to him that allowed him to canter home.
As the clock ticked past the hour mark the home side raised their intensity and Flockhart slotted two penalties to close to within five points. They kept Ealing Trailfinders in deep in their half and after a strong carry from Jarad Williams from a scrum Carpenter forced his way over from the next phase to give the hosts the lead for the first time.
With the final whistle approaching Munro cut a swathe through the Knights defence and then from the restart the team went through the phases to establish a position from where Penberthy could pop over a drop goal to silence the 1,452 crowd.
Scorers
Doncaster Knights
Tries (Heaney 49, Carpenter 72), Conversions (Flockhart 72), Penalties (Flockhart16, 63, 66)
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Maddison 58, Munro 78), Conversions (Penberthy 58, 78), Penalties (Penberthy 9, 21, 30, 43), Drop Goal (Penberthy 80)
Doncaster Knights
Paul Jarvis, Dougie Flockhart, Lloyd Hayes, Mat Clark, Tyson Lewis, Dec Cusack, Michael Heaney, Richard List, Ben Hunter, WillGriff John, Matt Challinor, Dave Nolan, Jack Ram, Michael Hills (captain), Jarad Williams
Reserves
Jack Bergmanas, Harry Allen, Colin Quigley, Latu Makaafi, Aaron Carpenter, Sam Edgerley, Sean Scanlon
Ealing Trailfinders
Luke Daniels, Miles Mantella, Lewis Jones, Joe Munro, James Cordy-Redden, Aaron Penberthy, Luke Carter; Will Davis, Alun Walker, Lewis Thiede, Llewelyn Jones, Barney Maddison, Chris York, Rayn Smid, Mark Bright (captain)
Reserves
Matt Cornish, Ignacio Lancuba, Sam Rodman, Adam Preocanin, Willie Ryan, Alex Walker, Will Harries
Attendance – 1,452
For the third time in three visits Ealing Trailfinders returned from Yorkshire with a bonus point after pushing an in-form Doncaster Knights hard over 80 minutes at Castle Park.
Ben Ward’s team led 10-6 at half-time after a pushover try from Nathan Buck, but the hosts fought back in the second half to open up a 13-point lead. Callum Wilson scored a late try to move to losing bonus point territory and while Ealing Trailfinders put the Knights under pressure over the last 10 minutes they were unable to break through.
Emergency fullback Alex Davies opened the scoring after two minutes when he landed a penalty, but Doncaster showed a flash of their threat when wing Tyson Lewis raced away after exploiting a gap.
Davies then had the opportunity to stretch the lead after Doncaster fullback Paul Jarvis was yellow-carded, but struck it wide. Even so Ealing Trailfinders capitalised on their numeric superiority when a whole team effort drove Buck over from a rolling maul off a line-out.
The Knights began to find their rhythm as the half wore on and fly-half Michael Heaney knocked over two penalties as their pack began to impose themselves.
Will Davis became the second player to be yellow-carded, but Ealing Trailfinders defence bundled number 8 Ollie Steadman in to touch when Doncaster tried a rolling maul of their own and then held out till half-time.
Doncaster grabbed the lead soon after the restart when Lewis’ mazy run set up good field position, which Latu Makaafi capitalised on to extend his lead at the top of the Championship’s try-scoring charts.
He added a second not long after when he burrowed over from close range and with Heaney adding two conversions and another penalty the hosts enjoyed a 13-point lead at the hour mark.
Ealing Trailfinders began to re-imposed themselves on proceedings and after Rhys Crane won turnover ball it was worked to substitute Callum Wilson who raced away to score.
It set up a tense final 10 minutes and while the visitors pressured the Doncaster line at the end the hosts defence stayed strong.
Scorers
Doncaster Knights
Tries (Makaafi 47, 57), Conversions (Heaney 47, 57), Penalties (Heaney 25, 36, 65)
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Buck 20, Wilson 69), Conversions (Davies 20, 69), Penalties (Davies 2)
Doncaster Knights
Paul Jarvis, Sam Edgerley, Mat Clark, Will Hurrell, Tyson Lewis, Michael Heaney, Brad Field; Richard List, Ben Hunter, Will Griff John, Matt Challinor, Tyler Hotson, Latu Makaafi, Michael Hills (captain), Ollie Stedman.
Reserves
Ted Stagg, Joe Sproston, Jake Armstrong, Jon Phelan, Glen Young, Dougie Flockhart, Josh Sharp
Ealing Trailfinders
Alex Davies, Rhys Crane, Toby Howley-Berridge, Joe Munro, James Stephenson, Tristan Roberts, Alex Walker; Will Davis, Alun Walker, Nathan Buck, Nathan Hannay, Carwyn Jones, Adam Preocanin, Danny Kenny, Chris York (captain)
Reserves
George Porter, Matt Thompson, Michael Holford, Llewelyn Jones, Harrison Orr, Tom Bliss, Callum Wilson
Attendance – 1, 231
Referee – Steve Lee
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