Ealing Trailfinders vs Newcastle Falcons

Ealing Trailfinders made an emphatic return to rugby with a highly impressive 38-17 victory against Newcastle Falcons at Trailfinders Sports Club.

Ben Ward’s side scored 30 points in a relentless second half display after trailing by two points at the break, ensuring that they recorded a four-try win against their Premiership opponents.

Angus Kernohan, Kieran Murphy and Guy Thompson all crossed the line, as well as a penalty try after a huge effort from the forwards en route to the victory.

After a 253 day wait for a match, it was the Falcons that started strongly and enjoyed most of the possession in the opening quarter. They entered the Trailfinders 22 on a number of occasions but were met by a resolute defence, however the pressure paid off on the 25 minute mark.

A penalty was kicked deep in to the 22 and they built their way towards the line phase by phase, with former Trailfinder Mark Tampin driving over the line to give his side the lead. Joel Hodgson’s conversion gave the visitors a 7-0 lead.

The hosts responded immediately however to get their first try of the afternoon. Craig Willis’ kick put the Falcons under pressure and they were dragged in to touch, giving the Trailfinders a lineout just five metres from the line.

From the resulting maul, the ball was spun to Willis who grubbered in behind, and it bounced up perfectly for Angus Kernohan to mark his debut with a try. The conversion went wide, but the deficit was now just two points.

Hodgson and Willis then exchanged a penalty each just before the break, meaning the Falcons had a 10-8 lead at half time.

What was to follow was a scintillating 40 minutes from the Trailfinders, who took their performance to another level in the second half.

Willis kicked the hosts in front with a penalty after Guy Thompson’s break saw the Falcons penalised, with the flags raised by the officials to signal an 11-10 lead.

Kieran Murphy then put the Green and Whites in the ascendancy with a try five minutes later. A huge touch-finder put them within scoring distance, and there was no stopping he back-rower from just a metre out as he bundled over the last defender. The conversion meant the lead was now up eight points.

Gary Graham was then sent to the sin-bin for repeated infringement, and it wouldn’t take long for the Trailfinders to take advantage as they continued to apply the pressure. Craig Hampson was held up over the, but from the next phase a penalty try was awarded and a second yellow card in as many minutes, this time for Logovi’ Mulipola.

The maul was powering over and left the officials with no choice, and all of a sudden the West Londoners had a 25-10 advantage.

Willis then kicked his this penalty of the day to further assert the dominance, before Guy Thompson put the result beyond doubt with a debut try.

A penalty was awarded and some quick thinking from the back-rower saw him take it quickly before the defence was set, and there was to be no stopping him from close range. The conversion sailed through the posts to the delight of the Green and Whites.

Newcastle then scored with 10 minutes remaining as Sam Stuart touched down from another quick penalty, but Man of the Match Willis would have the final say as another penalty dissected the posts, confirming a memorable win for the Trailfinders.

Ealing Trailfinders:

15 David Johnston 14 Angus Kernohan 13 Max Bodilly 12 Pat Howard 11 Dean Hammond 10 Craig Willis 9 Craig Hampson 1 James Gibbons (replaced by Will Davis, 60 mins) 2 Shaun Malton (replaced by Michael Van Vuuren, 65 mins) 3 Lewis Thiede 4 Barney Maddison 5 Harry Casson (replaced by Simon Linsell, 60 mins) 6 Kieran Murphy 7 Guy Thompson 8 Rayn Smid (c)

Replacements:

Will Davis, Michael Van Vuuren, George Davis, Simon Linsell, Dave McKern, Simon Uzokwe, Abongile Nonkontwana, Shane Buckley, Jordan Burns, Steven Shingler, Fraser Strachan, James Cordy Redden

Scorers:

Tries: Angus Kernohan (29 minutes) Kieran Murphy (50 minutes) Penalty Try (57 minutes) Guy Thompson (66 minutes)

Conversions: Craig Willis (50, 67 minutes)

Penalties: Craig Willis (36, 45, 63, 78 minutes)

Newcastle Falcons:

15 Tom Arscott 14 Adam Radwan 13 Luther Burrell 12 Joel Matavesi 11 Sinoti Sinoti 10 Joel Hodgson 9 Michael Young (c) 1 Adam Brocklebank 2 George McGuigan 3 Mark Tampin 4 Greg Peterson 5 Marco Fuser 6 Sean Robinson 7 Connor Collett 8 Gary Graham

Replacements:

Darren Barry, Kyle Cooper, Logovi’ Mulipola, Rob Farrar, Will Welch, Matthew Ward, Toby Flood, Ben Stevenson, Charlie Maddison, Mike Daniels, Tom Marshall, Sam Stuart, Pete Lucock, Brett Connon

Scorers:

Tries: Mark Tampin (23 minutes) Sam Stuart (70 minutes)

Conversions: Joel Hodgson (25, 70 minutes)

Penalties: Joel Hodgson (34 minutes)

Yellow Card: Gary Graham, Logovi’ Mulipola

Match Officials:

Referee: Wayne Barnes

Assistant Referees: George Selwood & Neil Chilvers

Half Time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 8-10 Newcastle Falcons

Lords Builders Merchants Man of the Match: Craig Willis

Ealing Trailfinders vs Jersey Reds

Ealing Trailfinders booked their place in the Championship Cup Semi Finals after an outstanding 36-17 victory over Jersey Reds at Trailfinders Sports Club.

The West Londoners dominated the second half and scored five tries in total to progress to the last four of the Cup for the third year in a row.

Harry Sloan, Reon Joseph, Rayn Smid all crossed the line as well as a double from Peter Lydon to secure an emphatic victory in challenging conditions once again.

The Trailfinders made the perfect start and stamped their authority on the match straight away. Two penalties were conceded by the visitors and allowed the home side to kick up to the 22. Craig Willis then spotted some space in the backfield and kicked in to the dead ball area, which led to a fortunate bounce for Peter Lydon who was able to open the scoring. Willis then converted to give his side a 7-0 lead with just three minutes on the clock.

The hosts continued to dominate the opening stages and with Rayn Smid flying through the defence but brought down just short of the line, the referee came back for an earlier penalty which was kicked by Willis to extend the advantage to 10 points.

Jersey then started to grow in to the game and got back in to it on the 20 minute mark with a try from Alex Morgan. A turnover from the Trailfinders on their own line looked to have allowed them the opportunity to clear, but a wipe looping pass was intercepted by Alex Morgan who then had an easy run to the line. The conversion went wide, but the lead was now down to five points.

Nathan Fowles then went within inches of giving the hosts the ideal response as he dummied at the breakdown and sprinted 30 metres to the line, but some superb last ditch defence from the Channel Islanders meant that they escaped.

For the remainder of the first half both sides struggled to get over the gain line and were becoming increasingly frustrated.

The Trailfinders had a rolling maul which appeared to be heading over the line until they were penalised for crossing, and in similar fashion Jersey had a five metre lineout, but an overthrow meant that the final chance of the half was missed and the hosts held a narrow 10-5 lead at the break.

The start of the second half started with the hosts on the attack, and then a crucial moment saw Rodney Iona sent to the sin-bin for the Reds after a high tackle on Craig Willis. From the subsequent penalty the Trailfinders were held up over the line, but the pressure was starting to build.

That pressure then turned in to points as a penalty came from the scrum, and Nathan Fowles took it quickly before passing straight to Harry Sloan who dived over the line in the corner. Willis’ conversion from the touchline took the lead up to 12 points.

It got even better for the Trailfinders just five minutes later, with the Jersey sin bin looking even more costly. The visitors had possession on half way and looked to play out wide, but a pass went to ground and fell in to the hands of Reon Joseph. The winger grubbered ahead and used his searing pace to gather it for a sensational opportunistic try. Willis again converted from the touchline, extending the advantage to 24-5.

Ward’s men didn’t stop there and put the game beyond doubt with another try just three minutes later to all-but book their place in the semi final. A turnover gave space for Nathan Fowles to break in to, and he had Rayn Smid alongside who raced on to the ball from 15 metres out to power under the posts. The conversion from Willis took his side over the 30 point mark.

Just as it looked like the game was won, Jersey capitalised on a mistake to get their first points of the second half. Joseph broke the line and looked like he would cruise to the line, but as he passed wide to Jack Tovey the ball was intercepted by Auguy Slowik who raced away from 90 metres to score under the posts.

Jersey then rallied and had the momentum with 15 minutes to go. Aaron Penberthy’s long pass to Leroy Van Dam looked to have given him a walk in but Willis scrambled back and then got over the ball to earn his side a crucial penalty.

TJ Harris then got another try for the Reds as they took a quick penalty and it went straight to the hooker who drove over the line, but with just five minutes remaining the hill was too steep to mount a comeback.

Peter Lydon rounded off the victory in style with the final play of the game, as a five metre scrum gave them the platform and the ball was spun straight to the full-back who beat the final defender in the corner.

That marked the end of the match and confirmed a seventh consecutive victory for the Trailfinders who advanced to the semi final in style.

Ealing Trailfinders:

15 Peter Lydon 14 Pat Howard (replaced by David Johnston, 70 mins) 13 Jack Tovey 12 Harry Sloan 11 Reon Joseph 10 Craig Willis 9 Nathan Fowles (replaced by Craig Hampson, 75 mins) 1 Will Davis (replaced by Jake Ellwood, 65 mins) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Matt Cornish, 70 mins) 3 Elliot Millar Mills (replaced by George Davis, 65 mins) 4 Dave McKern (replaced by Sam Dickinson, 45 mins) 5 James Cannon (replaced by Harry Casson, 60 mins) 6 Kieran Murphy 7 Shane Buckley 8 Rayn Smid (c)

Replacements:

16 Matt Cornish 17 Jake Ellwood 18 George Davis 19 Sam Dickinson 20 Harry Casson 21 Craig Hampson 22 David Johnston 23 Steven Shingler

Scorers:

Tries: Peter Lydon (3, 80 minutes) Harry Sloan (46 minutes) Reon Joseph (52 minutes) Rayn Smid (56 minutes)

Conversions: Craig Willis (3, 46, 52, 56 minutes)

Penalties: Craig Willis (8 minutes)

Jersey Reds:

15 Auguy Slowik 14 Alex Morgan 13 George Spencer 12 Rodney Iona 11 Leroy Van Dam 10 Brendan Cope 9 Will Homer 1 Harry Morley 2 Reece Marshall 3 Zei Alexis 4 Kyle Hatherell 5 Rory Bartle 6 Max Argyle 7 Conor Joyce © 8 Janco Venter

Replacements:

16 TJ Harris 17 Roy Godfrey 18 Alec Clarey 19 Liam Hallam-Eames 20 Jake Upfield 21 Josh Bainbridge 22 Luc Jones 23 Aaron Penberthy

Scorers:

Tries: Alex Morgan (17 minutes) Auguy Slowik (60 minutes) TJ Harris (76 minutes)

Conversions: Brendan Cope (60 minutes)

Yellow Cards: Rodney Iona, Luc Jones

Match Officials:

Referee: Hamish Smales

Assistant Referees: Fergus Kirby & John Meredith

Attendance: 526

Half Time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 10-5 Jersey Reds

Soane’s Kitchen Man of the Match: Alun Walker

Ealing Trailfinders vs Bedford Blues

Ealing Trailfinders got their sixth win in a row after a highly impressive 38-5 victory over Bedford Blues at Trailfinders Sports Club.

Ben Ward’s side had to brave Storm Dennis and did so in stunning style, scoring 31 points in the second half to cruise to a deserved win.

Pat Howard, Reon Joseph, Alun Walker, a penalty try and two from Kieran Murphy meant that the West Londoners kept up their perfect record in 2020.

Bedford had the first opportunity as the Trailfinders had a lineout right on their own line and it went over the top, popping up to the visitors who looked like they would have a walk in but it was called back for an earlier infringement.

The conditions were causing havoc in the opening stages, but the West Londoners started to adapt and went in front with their first try after 11 minutes. A scrum just five metres from the line started to edge forward, and then the ball was spun straight to Pat Howard who was never going to be stopped from such close range. Steven Shingler’s valuable conversion in the swirling wind gave the hosts a 7-0 lead.

The Trailfinders then threatened to to extend their lead but some last ditch defence from the Blues kept the score at 7-0. From the top of a lineout a set move sent Levi Davis flying through the middle, and he passed inside to Jack Tovey who in the act of scoring saw the ball bounce out of his grasp.

The remainder of the first half was played in the middle third as both sides were struggling with their discipline, but opportunities were hard to come by. Bedford did kick a penalty to within five metres of the line with the last play of the half, but some outstanding maul defence meant that the Trailfinders headed down the tunnel with the lead at the break.

After a first half that won’t live long in the memory, the second half got off to the perfect start for the hosts who scored twice in quick succession. The kick off trickled in to the Bedford dead ball area and a huge tackle from Adam Korczyk earned a five metre scrum. The forwards then rampaged towards the line, giving the referee no option but to award a penalty try and double the lead to 14-0.

It got better for the Trailfinders just four minutes later as they took control of the game with their third try. Matt Cornish broke from the base of a ruck and powered in to the 22 before passing to Korczyk on his shoulder, who took it all the way up to the line. Rayn Smid then looked to have scored, but from the following phase Kieran Murphy put it beyond doubt and powered over.

Just as it looked like the Green and Whites had built an unassailable lead, Bedford scored out of nothing to get themselves on the scoreboard. A turnover gave them space in the wide channels, and they went through the hands giving Ryan Hutler a clear run to the line. The conversion went wide, but the Blues had cut the lead to 19-5.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, the Trailfinders secured the all-important bonus point to put the result beyond doubt. Sustained pressure in the 22 saw them edge towards the line, and then with a huge overlap on the left wing the ball was spun wide to Reon Joseph who could stroll to the line unattended.

Kieran Murphy then got his second of the match to add further gloss to the score-line and give the supporter who braved the conditions a much-needed pick me up. The hosts had clicked in to gear beautifully, and once more with plenty of pressure in the 22 the back-rower was able to beat the final defender from close range.

The final play of the match saw Alun Walker cross for the sixth and final try to round off the victory. A penalty was kicked to the corner, and in trademark style the hooker broke away from the rolling maul to score in the corner.

Shingler’s conversion from the touchline meant that the scoreline ended 38-5 to the Trailfinders, and means that they head in to next weekend’s Championship Cup Quarter Final against Jersey Reds in fine form.

Ealing Trailfinders:

15 Peter Lydon 14 Levi Davis 13 Jack Tovey 12 Pat Howard 11 Reon Joseph (replaced by Craig Willis, 75 mins) 10 Steven Shingler 9 Craig Hampson (replaced by Nathan Fowles, 65 mins) 1 Will Davis (replaced by Jake Ellwood, 70 mins) 2 Matt Cornish (replaced by Alun Walker, 55 mins) 3 Elliot Millar Mills (replaced by George Davis, 70 mins) 4 Ben West (replaced by Sam Dickinson, 55 mins) 5 James Cannon 6 Kieran Murphy (replaced by Dave McKern, 75 mins) 7 Adam Korczyk 8 Rayn Smid © (replaced by Shane Buckley, 70 mins)

Replacements:

16 Alun Walker 17 Jake Ellwood 18 George Davis 19 Sam Dickinson 20 Dave McKern 21 Nathan Fowles 22 Craig Willis 23 Shane Buckley

Scorers:

Tries: Pat Howard (11 minutes) Penalty Try (42 minutes) Kieran Murphy (46, 73 minutes) Reon Joseph (67 minutes) Alun Walker (80 minutes)

Conversions: Steven Shingler (11, 73, 80 minutes)

Bedford Blues:

15 Matt Worley 14 Ryan Hutler 13 Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas 12 Lewis Robling 11 Pat Tapley 10 Sam Leeming 9 James Lennon 1 Sean McCarthy © 2 Robbie Smith 3 Andrew Boye 4 Jordan Onojaife 5 Ed Taylor 6 Oli Curry 7 Josh Buggea 8 Huw Worthington

Replacements:

16 Charlie Clare 17 Joe Wrafter 18 Ben Wilkinson 19 Will Carrick Smith 20 Joe Atkinson 21 Connor Tupai 22 Fraser Strachan 23 Ed Coulson

Scorers:

Tries: Ryan Hutler (49 minutes)

Match Officials:

Referee: Andrew Jackson

Assistant Referees: Darryl Chapman & Gareth Holsgrove

Attendance: 780

Half Time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 7-0 Bedford Blues

Soane’s Kitchen Man of the Match: James Cannon

Ealing Trailfinders vs Hartpury

Ealing Trailfinders extended their winning run to four matches as they cruised to a 59-5 victory over Hartpury at Trailfinders Sports Club.

Ben Ward’s men crossed for nine tries in a dominant performance from minute one to 80, keeping up their perfect start to 2020. Jordy Reid and Matt Cornish both scored twice, whilst Peter Lydon, Rayn Smid, Levi Davis, Harry Sloan and a penalty try registered the points.

The Trailfinders got off to the perfect start and went in front with just two minutes on the clock. Straight from the kick off Rayn Smid and Pat Howard broke down the right wing, and then after a couple of phases the space opened up for Jordy Reid to race through the middle under the posts. Craig Willis’ first conversion of the afternoon gave the hosts a 7-0 lead.

The West Londoners were playing with real intent in the opening quarter despite playing against a challenging win, and their second try came after 15 minutes. A five metre scrum gave them the ideal platform, and Nathan Fowles picked out Peter Lydon who was able to stroll over from close range.

Try number three followed just five minutes later, and once again it came from a strong foundation at scrum-time. A powerful hit earned a penalty which was kicked to the corner and with the maul powering over the line it was brought down, giving the referee no option but to award a penalty try.

The game then started to open up in the second quarter with both teams looking to play expansively. A counter attack from the visitors saw them enter the 22, and Tiff Eden’s pass looked to have put Mike Wilcox away under the posts but a last ditch tackle from Reon Joseph managed to keep the try-line intact.

The Trailfinders got the bonus point with four minutes left of the half and extend the lead even further. Reon Joseph gathered Craig Willis’ looping pass over the top and was hauled down just inches short of the line, but from the following phase Reid was able to drive over the line for his second of the afternoon. Willis added the extras, and put his side 26-0 in front at the break.

The second half started in the same fashion as the first, and it took just 90 seconds for the Trailfinders to score. Joseph was close to gathering the restart for a walk-in, but then from the lineout they played straight from the top and space opened up for Rayn Smid to sprint under the posts. Willis’ conversion inflicted further damage on the opponents.

Matt Cornish was next to cross the line as the hosts continued to dominate in one of their most complete performances of the season. A penalty was kicked to the corner, and once again the maul drove over and allowed the hooker to dive over. The conversion from Willis brought up the 40 point mark for the Trailfinders.

Hartpury started to get some momentum as the game headed towards it’s close, and they got their first points of the afternoon with 15 minutes left. Josh Bragman grubbered deep in to the 22, and centre Robbie Smith won the race to score.

Jake Henry was then sent to the sin-bin for the visitors, and it only took a minute for the Trailfinders to take full advantage. A penalty was kicked to touch, and the maul meant that Cornish could dot the ball down for his second of the game.

Then straight from the restart a try of the season contender stunned the home supporters and broadened the smile on their faces. Willis and Steven Shingler made space in the midfield and looped a pass to debutant Levi Davis, who ran through half of the defence from 60 metres, using his searing pace to score in stunning fashion. Willis then converted from the touchline as the lead extended to 54-5.

Harry Sloan rounded off the match with the ninth try for the Trailfinders with just one minute left. The ball went loose from a scrum but it bounce up nicely for the Green and Whites straight in to the hands of Sloan who crossed for a deserved score on his return to the side, confirming a huge victory.

Ealing Trailfinders:

15 Peter Lydon 14 Pat Howard 13 Jack Tovey (replaced by Steven Shingler, 70 mins) 12 Harry Sloan 11 Reon Joseph (replaced by Levi Davis, 60 mins) 10 Craig Willis 9 Nathan Fowles (replaced by Craig Hampson, 65 mins) 1 Will Davis (replaced by Jake Ellwood, 70 mins) 2 Alun Walker (replaced by Matt Cornish, 35 mins) 3 Elliot Millar Mills (replaced by George Davis, 50 mins) 4 Ben West 5 James Cannon 6 Shane Buckley 7 Jordy Reid 8 Rayn Smid © (replaced by Adam Korczyk, 50 mins)

Replacements:

16 Matt Cornish 17 Jake Ellwood 18 George Davis 19 Sam Dickinson 20 Adam Korczyk 21 Craig Hampson 22 Steven Shingler 23 Levi Davis

Scorers:

Tries: Jordy Reid (2, 36 minutes) Peter Lydon (15 minutes) Penalty Try (22 minutes) Rayn Smid (41 minutes) Matt Cornish (51, 70 minutes) Levi Davis (72 minutes) Harry Sloan (79 minutes)

Conversions: Craig Willis (2, 26, 41, 51, 70, 72 minutes)

Hartpury:

15 Mike Wilcox 14 Jacob Morris 13 Robbie Smith 12 Joe Margetts 11 Jake Henry 10 Tiff Eden 9 Harry Cochrane 1 Des Merrey 2 Will Crane © 3 Jake Armstrong 4 John Hawkins 5 Will Safe 6 Sam Graham 7 Max Clementson 8 Iain Grieve

Replacements:

16 Will Tanner 17 Harry Fry 18 Ashley Challenger 19 Harry Wilson 20 Jack Preece 21 Jack Reeves 22 Joshua Bragman 23 Luke Carter

Scorers:

Tries: Robbie Smith (65 minutes)

Yellow Card: Jake Henry

Match Officials:

Referee: Michael Hudson

Assistant Referees: Lionel Spooner & William Burton

Fourth Official: Hamish Grant

Attendance: 630

Half Time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 26-0 Hartpury

Soane’s Kitchen Man of the Match: Peter Lydon

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