Ealing Trailfinders fell to a 29-21 defeat against Ampthill away at Dillingham Park.
Tries from Lloyd Williams, Rayn Smid, and Cian Kelleher were not enough to garner any points from Trailfinders’ trip to Bedfordshire.
The result leaves the West London outfit at the top of the table with a 10-point gap to Coventry in second.
The game started with Trailfinders on top. Exploiting a dominant set piece, they won back-to-back penalties from their hosts in the first ten minutes.
Ampthill managed to keep the men in green and white out initially, that is until Nathan Earle brilliantly broke down the right and found Williams on his inside feeding the Welshman over the whitewash.
Trailfinders kept the pressure on after the opening score but could not break the Ampthill defences for large swathes of the first term.
It was so much so that Brandon Jackson brought the home side level after 28 minutes, as Ampthill re-asserted themselves on the occasion.
However, the travellers grabbed the momentum right back when Dan O’Brien broke down the right wing and found Smid with a magical offload to send the South African under the sticks.
Then, on the stroke of half time, Kelleher produced one of the season’s best scores.
After receiving a looping wide ball from Billy Twelvetrees, the Dublin native chipped the ball over the Ampthill defence and regathered to soar over the line in the right-hand corner.
That score meant that the teams went into the sheds with the scoreboard reading 7-21 to Trailfinders, with the league leaders in command.
Half-time was when disaster struck for Trailfinders, however, as replacement hooker Henry Walker was substituted due to injury, meaning Flanker Richard Hardwick was forced to throw in at the line out, and scrums would be uncontested.
As a result, Ampthill regained control of the game as the set piece that had been so dominant for Trailfinders was taken apart.
The hosts scored 22 unanswered points, and a Josh Barton penalty kick in the 77th minute ensured Trailfinders left Bedfordshire without any points.
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Ealing Trailfinders secured a hard-fought 17-32 bonus point win over Ampthill.
Following last Saturday’s impressive 29-10 win over Doncaster, Ben Ward’s team arrived at Dillingham Park with plenty of confidence and determination to make it two wins from two in season 2022/23.
The Green and Whites shot out of the blocks in the fifth minute with hooker Jan-Henning Campher barging his way over the line from close range. Craig Willis missed his conversion but Ealing had the early 0-5 lead.
Despite losing a man to the sin-bin after 15 minutes, Ampthill nearly crossed for their first try of the match four minutes later. They broke through the Ealing defence and were powering to the line but their offload fumbled to the ground. Ealing took full advantage of the mistake with flanker Will Montgomery charging through the Ampthill defence three minutes later to score from 25 metres out. Willis slotted the conversion and the visitors extended the lead to 0-12.
The home side were always going to be a tricky opponent, especially on their home deck, and this showed in the 38th minute as they neatly kicked ahead, collected the ball and crossed in the corner. The try was unconverted, but ‘The Mob’ were building momentum and confidence heading into half-time.
Half-Time Score: Ampthill 5 – Ealing Trailfinders 12
It only took a minute of the second half for Ampthill to strike once more and level the scores. Winger Ben Cambriani broke free down his wing to cross for Ampthill’s second try. Tom Hardwick slotted the conversion and suddenly the scores were locked at 12-12.
In what was turning into a highly contested battle, Trailfinders soon found themselves with the opportunity to creep back in front. Winning the scrum penalty, club skipper Steven Shingler stepped up to take the kick at goal. His attempt sailed through the uprights and Ealing were back in front, 12-15 with 20 minutes remaining.
Trailfinders’ replacement hooker Shaun Malton was then yellow carded for not rolling away in the ruck but this inspired Ealing to build attacking momentum. They defended their line, winning the turnover and then working the ball back in Ampthill territory. With the clock ticking over 63 minutes, scrum-half Craig Hampson broke free from the base of the ruck before offloading to a rampaging Simon Uzokwe who crossed near the posts. Shingler added the extras and Ealing were out to a 12-22 lead.
The hosts returned fire ten minutes later to reduce the deficit to 17-22 but Trailfinders again responded. Australian flanker Carlo Tizzano, who replaced Pat Howard at inside centre, sliced through the Ampthill defence in the 74th minute to secure the bonus point try. Shingler kicked the conversion and Ben Ward’s side led 17-29.
With the clock ticking into the red, Ealing then won the penalty directly in front of the posts. Shingler stepped up and slotted the kick to cement the hard-fought 17-32 victory.
To watch Ben Ward’s post-match interview click here. Tickets are on sale for Saturday’s Championship fixture against Hartpury University at Trailfinders Sports Club (KO 3pm). Click here to purchase tickets.
Full-Time Score: Ampthill 17 – Ealing Trailfinders 32
Tries: Jan-Henning Campher (5th min), Will Montgomery (25th min), Simon Uzokwe (63rd min), Carlo Tizzano (74th min)
Conversions: Craig Willis (25th min), Steven Shingler (63rd min, 74th min)
Penalties: Steven Shingler (55th min, 80th min)
Ealing Trailfinders secured a vital win away from home this afternoon in the first leg of the Championship Rugby Cup Quarter-Finals at Ampthill.
It had been exactly a month since Trailfinders had taken to the field following their Championship title-winning victory over Richmond in West London, and despite a number of changes, once again they ran out winners at Dillingham Park.
The game didn’t start the way Ben Ward’s side would have wanted, though, as Ampthill made the most of some early pressure and well-worked play to score the first points of the tie. A 50 22 saw them pile the heat on the Trailfinders defence, and before they knew it, a strong set-piece saw Jamie Jack burrow his way over the try line.
It was a wake-up call that Trailfinders needed, and they sprung back into action as the backs worked the ball out wide to find David Johnston, who skipped around the last defender to score the first for the travelling side.
Just five minutes later, Trailfinders were at it again, this time Cam Terry making his starting debut, crashed over at the back of a rolling maul, Steven Shingler adding the extras.
It was the start of a purple patch for the West Londoners, and before they knew it, they were in again. Some great defence play from Jack Digby, incepting an Ampthill kick, saw him break free, making up a lot of ground. The ball was recycled before Charlie Walker was found out wide to score the third of the afternoon.
Half-Time Ampthill 7 – Ealing Trailfinders 19
The second half kicked off as the first started, with big battles across the field, leaving no score for the opening 10 minutes. Ampthill were however penalised shortly after as Harvey Beaton was sent to the sin bin for collapsing the scrum inside their 22. Moments later, the ball was worked out wide to James Cordy-Redden, who showing a clean pair of heels, beat the Ampthill defender to dot down in the corner.
Shortly after, Ampthill would hit back, this time Theo Vukasinovic, the man to score the home side’s points.
Narrowing the gap, the men of Dillingham Park smelt blood, and several minutes of dominant possession later, they would be over again, this time being awarded a penalty try, moments after Trailfinders James Gibbons was sent to the sin bin after a number of penalties were given away.
With the cup tie poised and just three points between the two sides, the game was on a knife-edge, however, with five minutes to go, Reuben Bird-Tulloch was on hand to show some nifty feet, darting back inside and beating his man to score, Shingler adding the extras to secure a 10-point lead going into the second leg at Trailfinders Sports Club next Saturday.
Full Time Ampthill 21 – Ealing Trailfinders 31
Ealing Trailfinders completed a dramatic last gasp comeback to leave Ampthill with a crucial 24-22 victory.
The West Londoners trailed 22-14 with just eight minutes remaining, but a try from Jordan Burns and a 79th minute penalty from Craig Willis ensured that they made it five wins from five in the Championship Cup and set up a group decider against Coventry next weekend.
The Trailfinders raced in front with just two minutes on the clock as Kieran Murphy opened the scoring. A penalty was kicked to the corner and after going through the phases the ball ended up with the number eight who powered his way over the line. Craig Willis added the conversion to put his side 7-0 in front.
Ben Ward’s side then made a number of opportunities to extend their advantage but they couldn’t convert them and were punished shortly afterwards. A rolling maul was heading to the line and as Elliot Millar Mills broke away it looked like a try was coming but he was brought down just short and penalised.
Ampthill got their first try of the afternoon just before the 20 minute mark to get right back in to the match. From a lineout the ball was spun wide and found Josh Gillespie on the wing who has the pace to score in the corner. The conversion went wide but the Trailfinders were now just two points in front.
The hosts then went ahead as Sam Costelow’s penalty dissected the posts, but that sparked the Trailfinders in to life who responded immediately.
A lineout 20 metres from the line set the platform, and then the maul rampaged all the way to the line as Alun Walker dotted down under the post. Willis added the conversion, giving his side a 14-8 lead at half time.
After the break the Trailfinders were looking to kill the game with an early score and had chances courtesy of Elijah Niko and Alun Walker but their achilles heel for the afternoon was their discipline and that cost them again.
Ampthill then went ahead to give the home supporters a huge lift with half an hour remaining. Costelow broke the line and drew in the final defender before passing inside to Syd Blackmore who had a clear run. The conversion gave them a one point advantage, and it would get better for the hosts in the third quarter.
Peter Lydon was sent to the sin-bin and that opened up another opportunity for Ampthill. A penalty was kicked deep in to the 22, and from the resulting lineout Aleki Lutui powered over the line. The conversion gave them a 22-14 lead with just over 10 minutes left.
Jordan Burns would then take matters in to his own hands and gave the Trailfinders a lifeline in the closing stages. In trademark style he dummied from the base of a ruck and ran straight under the posts, before Willis added the extras to cut the deficit to just one point.
Burns then made another break and passed inside to Matt Cornish who looked like he would make it over but was hauled down just short as Ampthill continued to hold out the visitors.
With just over one minute left the decisive moment then gave the Trailfinders a huge sigh of relief. A penalty inside the 22 saw Craig Willis smash the ball through the posts, and then straight from the restart he hammered the ball in to touch to confirm a dramatic two point victory.
That win now means that the Trailfinders host Coventry next Saturday knowing that a win will secure them a home Quarter Final, tickets can be purchased here.
Ampthill:
15 Serafin Bordoli 14 Josh Gillespie 13 Jarryd Sage 12 Louis Grimoldby © 11 Nigel Baker 10 Sam Costelow 9 Darryl Veenendaal 1 Soane Tonga’huiha 2 Syd Blackmore 3 Luvuyo Pupuma 4 Carl Burgess 5 Henri Williams 6 Rob Langley 7 Facundo Dominguez 8 Sam Hudson
Replacements:
16 Dave Ward 17 Aleki Lutui 18 Jorn Schroder 19 Billy Johnson 20 Joe Bercis 21 Sam Hanks 22 Karim Lynch 23 Leon Fukofuka
Scorers:
Tries: Josh Gillespie (18 minutes) Syd Blackmore (53 minutes) Aleki Lutui (66 minutes)
Conversions: Sam Costelow (53, 66 minutes)
Penalties: Sam Costelow (31 minutes)
Ealing Trailfinders:
15 Tommy Bell (replaced by Peter Lydon, 60 mins) 14 Elijah Niko 13 David Johnston 12 Harry Sloan 11 Reon Joseph 10 Craig Willis 9 Nathan Fowles (replaced by Jordan Burns, 55 mins) 1 Jordan Els (replaced by Jake Ellwood, 70 mins) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Matt Cornish, 60 mins) 3 Elliot Millar Mills (replaced by George Davis, 40 mins) 4 Sam Dickinson © (replaced by Ben West, 50 mins) 5 James Cannon (replaced by Harry Casson, 50 mins) 6 Shane Buckley (replaced by Rayn Smid, 50 mins) 7 Oli Robinson 8 Kieran Murphy
Replacements:
16 Matt Cornish 17 Jake Ellwood 18 George Davis 19 Harry Casson 20 Ben West 21 Jordan Burns 22 Peter Lydon 23 Rayn Smid
Scorers:
Tries: Kieran Murphy (2 minutes) Alun Walker (33 minutes) Jordan Burns (72 minutes)
Conversions: Craig Willis (2, 33, 72 minutes)
Penalties: Craig Willis (79 minutes)
Yellow Card: Peter Lydon
Match Officials:
Referee: Harry Walbaum
Assistant Referees: Neil Chivers & Gareth Holsgrove
Fourth Official: Bill Burton
Half Time Score: Ampthill 8-14 Ealing Trailfinders
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