An emphatic victory in Caldy saw Ealing Trailfinders take five points back to West London on Saturday.
A brace from Reuben Bird-Tulloch and tires from Bobby De Wee, Biyi Alo, Richard Hardwick, Dan O’Brien, Pat Howard and Mike Willemse helped Trailfinders to their fourteenth win of the season.
The result means Ealing Trailfinders are four points clear at the top of the Championship table with a game in hand.
The hosts opened the scoring through Rhys Hayes with a straight forward penalty in front of the posts. Bobby De Wee answered straight back when he powered his way over the line following a line break from Biyi Alo.
Reuben Bird-Tulloch scored his first of the afternoon following a Michael Dykes break away down the left hand side. Dykes eventually passed inside to the centre who had a clear run to the line.
Alo’s strength and determination drove him to the line to score the visitors’ third as he crashed over the defender in a pick and go effort.
Bird Tulloch’s secured the bonus point for the West Londoners just before the break. A short pass from Jordy Reid thread him through a gap on halfway, he skipped round the full back and raced to the line.
Ealing Trailfinders were in a commanding position at the break leading 6-26.
The West Londoners came out firing in the second half. A powerful line out drive meant Richard Hardwick was able to profit.
Trailfinders’ sixth try came from Dan O’Brien, neat handling across the back line opened up space for the winger to dive over in the corner.
Next to get in on the action was Pat Howard, an O’Brien breakaway and offload enabled Howard to extend the lead.
In the final play of the game, the visitors’ rolling maul proved too strong once again. Mike Willemse came up with the ball after the pack drove their way over the line.
Final score Caldy 18-49 Ealing Trailfinders.
Ealing Trailfinders suffered their first defeat of the 2022/23 Championship season, going down 26-24 in a titanic battle at Paton Field.
In front of a big and vocal home crowd, Caldy crossed for their bonus point try in the final moment of the game to clinch an impressive victory and secure their third win of the season.
Ealing Trailfinders arrived at Paton Field confident and determined following their powerful 43-22 win over Jersey Reds on Christmas Eve, however on a tough, wet and slow pitch, the battle with Caldy was always going to be heated.
Up against a physical and large Caldy pack, the Trailfinders forwards hit the game with power, barging over the whitewash with a well executed driving maul in the 15th minute, Jan-Henning Campher the scorer. Craig Willis added his first kick of the afternoon and Ben Ward’s side led 0-7.
The match took a pivotal turn seven minutes later with Ealing Trailfinders tight-head Ross Kane red carded for a dangerous tackle in the ruck. Kane’s dismissal meant Trailfinders were down to 14 players for the next 58 minutes.
Needing to keep the scoreboard ticking over, Ealing Trailfinders were then awarded a penalty in front of the sticks. Willis stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty kick for the 0-10 lead.
With dark clouds forming over Paton Field, Trailfinders shot out of the blocks straight after the half-time break, with a swift wide pass to Reuben Bird-Tulloch who collected and ran in for an untouched try. Willis nailed the conversion and the visitors were 0-17 ahead.
The lead was only short lived with Caldy responding two minutes later, taking advantage of a loopy wide pass to intercept and cross for their first try. The conversion was successful and the score reduced to 7-17 with 35 minutes left to play.
Determined to remain on the front foot, Ealing Trailfinders hit back just three minutes later with their third try. Jan-Henning on the end of a powerful driving maul to score his second. Willis added the extras for the 7-24 lead.
Holding the 17 point advantage and with 30 minutes left on the clock, Trailfinders looked on track to secure their 11th win of the season, but Caldy were’t done yet and to their credit found a way to get themselves back in the match. Converted tries in the 57th and 65th minute reduced the deficit to just 21-24 with 15 minutes left on the clock.
Roared on by a boisterous home crowd, Caldy continued to throw everything at the Championship leaders. They worked their way into Trailfinders’ 22 on a number of occasions, before taking full advantage of a dramatic final three minutes.
First Luke Daniels was yellow carded in the 77th minute, before fullback Jonah Holmes also found himself in the sin-bin two minutes later. With Ealing Trailfinders reduced to 12 players and with one final attempt at the line, Caldy swung the ball swiftly wide, using the overlap to score in the corner and secure a famous comeback win. The conversion was missed but the home supporters could not care less.
Ealing Trailfinders picked up the losing bonus point to maintain a two point lead at the top of the Championship table. A special mention to flanker Ollie Newman who made his Ealing Trailfinders debut.
Full-time Score: Caldy 26-24 Ealing Trailfinders
T: Campher 15′, 48′, Bird-Tulloch 42′,
C: Willis 16′, 43′, 49′
P: Willis 29′
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