Ealing Trailfinders vs Bedford Blues

Ealing Trailfinders were denied their second win of the season in the dying second’s when a penalty by Bedford Blues’ Steffan Jones maintained his side’s strong start to the season.

Tristan Roberts opened the scoring with a penalty, Toby Howley-Berridge and Alun Walker scored a try each and Alex Davies slotted a conversion and two penalties before Jones struck late on.

Ben Ward’s side started strongly and Roberts’ penalty opened the scoring after seven minutes following a powerful showing by the pack in the scrum. Three minutes later though Jake Sharp levelled the scores with a penalty of his own after a break by George Perkins.

Ealing Trailfinders’ response was the best possible. Former Blues wing James Stephenson cut through their defence and after support from Alex Bradley, Tristan Roberts picked out Howley-Berridge with a pin-point kick to score the first try of the match.

They built on the lead quickly when Alun Walker crashed over following excellent work from a driven line-out catch.

Bedford hit back and Bradley was sent to the sin-bin and while he was off the Blues scored their first try. Scrum-half Jordan Burns spotted space and galloped up the pitch to set up Piers O’Connor for a chance. He was stopped just short of the line, but popped the ball to wing Dean Adamson who scored in the corner.

Mike Rayer’s team scored their second in the 24th minute. Number eight Hayden Thompson-Stringer burst off the back of a scrum and off-loaded to O’Conor who had a clear run to the line. Jake Sharp converted both scores to put the visitors ahead for the first time at 17-15.

Davies missed a kick, but then landed his next effort to ensure the hosts were 18-17 ahead at the break. A stalemate ensued for the opening quarter of the second half and the first points of the second half came on 71 minutes when Jones landed a penalty.

Davies put the hosts back in front with six minutes to go, but with the last play Bedford broke and while the ball went out of play Mike Howard pinched the line-out and helped win a penalty that Jones slotted for the win.

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Howley-Berridge 16, Walker 17), Conversions (Davies 17), Penalties (Roberts 7, Davies 35, 74)
Bedford Blues
Tries (Adamson 23, O’Conor 32), Conversions (Sharp 23, 32), Penalties (Sharp 10, Jones 71, 80)

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, James Stephenson, Toby Howley-Berridge, Tom Wheatcroft, Phil Chesters, Tristan Roberts, Alex Davies; Jamie Kilbane, Alun Walker, Michael Holford, Carwyn Jones, Adam Preocanin, Llewelyn Jones, Alex Bradley, Chris York (captain)
Reserves
Karl Gibson, Sam Rodman, Harrison Orr, Arthur Ellis, Alex Walker, Luke Daniels

Bedford Blues
Piers O’Conor, George Perkins, Henry Staff, Tom Griffiths, Dean Adamson, Jake Sharp, Jordan Burns; Alex Lunberg, Charlie Clare, Camilo Parilli-Ocampo, Mike Howard, Mark Flanagan, Nick Fenton-Wells (captain), Josh Buggea, Hayden Thompson-Stringer
Reserves
Tom Williams, Biyi Alo, Harry Wells, Paul Tupai, Peter White, Myles Dorrian, Steffan Jones

Referee – Steve Lee
Attendance – 748

Ealing Trailfinders vs Bristol Rugby

Phil Chesters and Nathan Hannay scored tries as Ealing Trailfinders earned a losing bonus point at home to promotion favourites Bristol Rugby.

However, tries from Jack Wallace and Tom Varndell in quick succession in the second half gave Bristol the initiative and Gavin Henson’s kicking allowed them to keep Ben Ward’s side at arm’s length despite the best efforts of the hosts.

After only six minutes Chesters swooped on a loose ball and used his pace to outstrip one-time England winger Tom Varndell to score the opening tray. After Tristan Roberts converted it, the defence had its first serious test, but the home team’s defence held out Bristol centre Jack Tovey.

James Love stretched the lead further with a long-distance penalty, but the visitors grabbed a toe hold in the match on the half-hour mark when Henson banged over his first penalty. A second just before half-time ensured that Bristol were in touch at 10-6 behind at the break.

Early in the second half Ealing Trailfinders’ defence again denied Bristol their first try as good defence stop them from capitalising on an overlap close to the tryline. However, Henson knocked over a third penalty to close Bristol to within a point with half an hour remaining.

However, Ealing Trailfinders rediscovered their rhythm and began to enjoy a period of pressure that was eventually rewarded when second-row Hannay bundled his way over from close range.

Again Bristol stirred themselves into action and Wallace raced over following Will Cliff’s break and soon after Varndell picked a strong line off Tovey to receive his pass, race away from the defence to score and put Bristol in front for the first time.

Roberts scored two penalties in quick succession, but Adrian Jarvis score one of his own to stretch Bristol’s lead to 26-21 and establish himself as Bristol’s all-time leading scorer with 709 points.

Still the hosts pressed and late on James Stephenson was denied a late try for a forward pass.

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Chesters 6, Hannay 52), Conversions (Roberts 6), Penalties (Love 19, Roberts 59, 62)
Bristol Rugby
Tries (Wallace 55, Varndell 57), Conversions (Henson 55, 57), Penalties (Henson 30, 39, 46, Jarvis 65)

Ealing Trailfinders
James Love, James Stephenson, Danny Barnes, Joe Munro, Phil Chesters, Tristan Roberts, Alex Walker; George Porter, Matt Thompson, Sam Rodman, Nathan Hannay, Llewelyn Jones, Harrison Orr, Arthur Ellis, Danny Kenny (capt)
Reserves
Jamie Kilbane, Karl Gibson, Alex Penny, Chris York, Alex Bradley, Tom Bliss, Callum Wilson

Bristol Rugby
Jack Wallace, Tom Varndell, Jack Tovey, Nick Carpenter, Charlie Amesbury, Gavin Henson, Craig Hampson; Ellis Genge, Ross McMillan, Gaston Cortes, Ben Glynn, Mark Sorenson (captain), Nick Koster, Olly Robinson, Mitch Eadie
Reserves
Max Crumpton, Jack O’Connell, Jamal Ford-Robinson, Glen Townson, Ryan Smid, Will Cliff, Adrian Jarvis

Referee – Ian Tempest
Attendance – 874

Ealing Trailfinders vs Cornish Pirates

Ealing Trailfinders recorded their first victory since their return to the Greene King IPA Championship by running in three tries against Cornish Pirates.

Wings Phil Chesters and Rhys Crane picked up where they left off a week ago against Yorkshire Carnegie by scoring a try apiece and the pack topped off a memorable performance by winning a penalty try from a scrum.

After a frenzied opening Pirates opened the scoring when fly-half Will Cargill knocked over a penalty from long range. Ealing Trailfinders hit back immediately when Phil Chesters chipped ahead, caught his kick and raced away from the covering defence for his second score in two weeks.

Alex Davies converted the try and then stretched the lead further with the first of his three penalties.

The visitors regrouped and showed their positive intent by kicking two penalties to the corner to attempt to score a catch and drive try. However, on both occasions the hosts’ defence stood firm to keep them out.

Their luck was in on their third attempt shortly before halftime when number 8 Laurie McGlone was driven over. Cargill slotted the conversion to tie the score at 10-10, but on the stroke of half-time Davies scored his second penalty to ensure Ealing Trailfinders led 13-10 at the break.

Soon after the restart Nathan Buck was stopped short of the line as the home pack flexed their muscles, but a second try arrived when Crane took advantage of a wayward kick down the right wing.

Pirates again tried their luck from a line-out, but again Ealing Trailfinders defence held out and Davies stretched their lead further still with his third penalty.

Reserve fly-half Kieran Hallett gave Pirates some home of a late comeback when Jack Arnott swept onto his cross-kick to score, but with the last play of the match Ealing Trailfinders’ pack won a penalty try that along with Davies’ conversion meant they denied the visitors a losing bonus point.

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Chester 10, Crane 46, Penalty 80), Conversions (Davies 10, 80), Penalties (Davies 19, 40, 71)
Cornish Pirates
Tries (McGlone 36, Arnott 77), Conversions (Cargill 36, Hallett 77), Penalties (Cargill 9)

Ealing Trailfinders
James Love, Rhys Crane, Toby Howley-Berridge, Joe Munro, Phil Chesters, Tristan Roberts, Alex Davies ;Will Davis, Alun Walker, Nathan Buck, Nathan Hannay, Llewelyn Jones, Danny Kenny, Iain Grieve, Chris York (captain)
Reserves
Jamie Kilbane, Matt Thompson, Alex Penny, Carwyn Jones, Adam Preocanin, Alex Walker, James Stephenson

Cornish Pirates
Toby May, Jack Arnott, Tom Riley, Rheon James, Craig Holland, Will Cargill, Alex Day; Paul Andrew (capt), Rob Elloway, Jack Andrew, Marcus Garratt, Will Graulich, Sam Simmonds, Alex Cheesman, Laurie McGlone
Reserves
Tom Channon, Adam Jamieson, Matt Bolwell, John Stevens, Mike Pope, Kieran Hallett, Alex Dancer

Referee – Simon Harding
Attendance – 863

Ealing Trailfinders vs London Scottish

Ealing Trailfinders went down to a five-try loss to their rivals from over Kew Bridge in their first home match of the Greene King IPA Championship season.

Iain Grieve and Will Harries scored two first-half tries to stay in contention at half-time and Alex Walker scored late on, but the Exiles showed their strength and experience and a return to the form that earned them a play-off place last season after losing to Mosely in the opening fixture.

Ben Ward’s side made a strong start and fierce tackles from Irish pair Danny Barnes and Danny Kenny set the early tone, but Tristan Roberts pulled an early penalty wide and Iain Grieve was pulled up as he crossed the line after a forward pass from Matt Thompson.

The Exiles opened the scoring with their first attack as wing Matt Williams was first to Peter Lyon’s deft grubber into the in-goal area, but Ealing Trailfinders were soon in front when Grieve was on the end of a rolling maul.

The score instilled the hosts with confidence and Harries and Chris York both tested the Scottish defence with strong runs. It was the visitors who scored next though when Jason Harries was first to Lydon’s up and under to score in the corner. Soon after Lydon knocked over a penalty to stretch their lead further.

London Scottish enjoyed the ascendancy for the rest of the half, but Will Harries showed great strength to hold off three would-be defenders to score in the corner to close the gap.

The Exiles had the last word in the half when captain Mark Bright scored from the back of a rolling maul, which along with Lydon’s conversion meant that the visitors enjoyed a 10-point lead at the break.

Ealing Trailfinders enjoyed the upper hand at the start of the second half and while they were unable to break through, London Scottish were equally culpable of spurning chances, first when Locke fumbled close to the line and then when Adam Kwasnicki overthrew a line-out.

Bright broke the deadlock with his second in identical fashion and substitute David Hallam stretched the visitors lead further when he popped up on the shoulder of Matthew Heeks close to the line.

Phil Chesters nearly opened his account for the season, but was stopped close to the line. It marker an upturn in their fortunes, but the Exiles’ defence held off Ealing Trailfinders best efforts until Alex Walker spied a hole in their line and scooted through it. The final word went to the Exiles though when Lydon slotted his second penalty on the final whistle.

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, James Stephenson, Danny Barnes, Tom Wheatcroft, Phil Chesters, Tristan Roberts, Alex Walker; George Porter, Matt Thompson, Nathan Buck, Adam Preocanin, Carwyn Jones, Danny Kenny, Iain Grieve, Chris York (captain)
Reserves
Will Davis, Alun Walker, Sam Rodman, Harrison Orr, Arthur Ellis, Alex Davies, Rhys Crane

London Scottish
Peter Lydon, Matthew Williams, Drew Locke, Oli Grove, Jason Harries, Dan Newton, Matthew Heeks; James Gibbons, Adam Kwasnicki, Max Maidment, Josh Brown, William Carrick-Smith, Chevvy Pennycook, Chris Walker, Mark Bright
Reserves
David Cherry, Neale Patrick, David Young, James Hallam, Alex Brown, Russ Weir, Miles Mantella

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Grieve 13, Harries 35, Walker 79), Conversions (Roberts 13)
London Scottish
Tries (Locke 7, Harries 24, Bright 40, 53, Hallam 62), Conversions (Lydon 25, 40, 62), Penalties (Lydon 32, 80)

Referee – Craig Maxwell-Keys
Attendance – 754

Ealing Trailfinders vs Rosslyn Park

Ealing Trailfinders may have lost their unbeaten home record to an impressive Rosslyn Park side, but their losing bonus point and Park’s failure to claim all five points on offer ensured their return to the Greene King IPA Championship.

At fulltime captain Tom Brown lifted the National 1 trophy in front of a season’s best crowd of 2, 278.

Rosslyn Park demonstrated their intentions from the whistle when former Ealing Trailfinders flanker Sam Shires put in a fierce hit on captain Tom Brown. It set the early tone and soon after Brown teamed up with Arthur Ellis to stop a pick up from Park captain Hugo Ellis.

Park flyhalf Scott Sneddon opened the scoring when he landed a fourth-minute penalty and he then added a second before the 10-minute mark. It spurned the home team into action and while they raised the intensity they were unable to find a way through Park’s defence, who twice stopped catch and drive attempts.

Park centre Paul Mackey came close to scoring the first try when he broke the line, but Will Harries made a try-saving tackle. The visitors added to their lead soon after though when Sneddon knocked over his third penalty.

The hosts responded immediately though as Luke Daniels picked up a loose ball and sped past three defenders to score in the corner. A flowing move from a Harries counter-attack appeared set to earn Ealing Trailfinders their second try, but Phil Chesters knocked on.

Sneddon was back on the scoresheet in the 33rd minute with another penalty and he then set Mackey free with a deft off-load, but this time Alex Walker made the try-saving tackle.

Park maintained their pressure up to the halftime whistle and prop Alex Mackenzie dived over in the corner for a try that Sneddon had no problem converting.

After haltime Ealing Trailfinders were much improved and Daniels knocked over an early penalty. He then converted an Arthur Ellis try after the flanker burrowed over from close range.

As the clock ran down Ealing Trailfinders side raised the intensity again, but Park’s defence stood firm and meant that both teams were celebrating at the final whistle.

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Daniels 25, Ellis 63), Conversions (Daniels 64), Penalties (Daniels 49)
Rosslyn Park
Tries (Mackenzie 39), Conversions (Sneddon 40), Penalties (Sneddon 4, 9, 24, 33)

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Luke Daniels, Sam Wardingley, Andy Reay, Phil Chesters, Matt Jarvis, Alex Walker; Tom Smallbone, Matt Thompson, Nathan Buck, Carwyn Jones, Llewelyn Jones, Anders Nilsson, Arthur Ellis, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Kevin Davis, Alex Penny, Paul Spivey, David Lyons, Chris Kinloch

Rosslyn Park
Neville Edwards, Kiba Richards, Mark Ireland, Paul Mackey, Dave Vincent, Scott Sneddon, Luke Carter; Alex Lundberg, Adam Bellamy, Alex Mackenzie, Will Bowley, Rich Boyle, Mike Macfarlane, Sam Shires, Hugo Ellis (captain)
Reserves
Tom Woolstencroft, Aaron Liffchak, Tom Baldwin, Jack Gash, Max Northcote-Green

Referee – Fergus Kirby
STORM Watches Man of the Match – Tom Brown
Attendance – 2, 278

Ealing Trailfinders vs Coventry

Ealing Trailfinders needed a try two minutes from time from substitute Luke Daniels to ensure that they ended the day with their unbeaten home record intact after an enthralling encounter against a fired-up Coventry side.

With the clock ticking down Coventry led by a point, but Daniels rounded Coventry’s Scott Hamilton and Dominic Lespierre to ensure that Ealing Trailfinders’ best crowd of the season left having watched their side finish the match with all five points on offer.

Following a feisty opening, Coventry fly-half Matt Jones opened the scoring when he slotted a penalty after three minutes, but Ealing Trailfinders showed their attacking intentions soon afterwards when Will Harries led a counter-attack that finished when Phil Chesters was tackled into touch after Coventry’s Dan Rundle had raced across from his opposite wing.

A few phases later though the home team took the lead. Not for the first time this season, Llewelyn Jones caught a lineout and flanker Arthur Ellis was driven over.

As Ealing Trailfinders increased their pressure Chris Kinloch was stopped by on-loan Leicester Tigers fullback Scott Hamilton, but when the ball went to the other wing Coventry infringed and once again Ellis was driven over from the resulting lineout.

Jones tried his luck with a penalty from over the halfway line and along with his halfback partner Wayne Evans and the pace of Hamilton at fullback, Coventry were happy to keep the ball in hand as much as possible.

It was symptomatic of a free-flowing match and Coventry continued to play their part with a counter-attack of their own, but Chesters turned the tables on Rundle when he stopped his opposite number from breaking clear.

The visitors did break through just before halftime, when Will Hurrell controlled a loose pass to round off an attacking move with a flourish in the corner. It set up a frantic few minutes before the break in which both teams tries their luck, but Ealing Trailfinders scored their third from another catch and drive after Coventry infringed and the referee awarded a penalty try that Ben Ward converted.

Coventry started the second half in determined mood and would have closed the gap, but for a double Llewelyn Jones tackle. Eventually they opened the scoring when Jones landed his second penalty of the match.

Luke Daniels came off the bench and quickly became put in a try-stopping tackle on Hamilton. However, just past the hour mark Coventry took the lead when the referee awarded a penalty try that Jones converted.

As the clock ran down neither side was able to find a way through two well-drilled defences until Wardingley put Daniels into space down the right hand side and the Port Elizabeth native rounded Dom Lespierre and Hamilton to dot down, with Ward adding the extras.

By now Coventry were down to 13 players as more and more of their side picked up knocks, but it didn’t stop them chancing their arm. However, it was Daniels who had the last word in an absorbing match that was a great advert for National 1 rugby.

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Andy Reay, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Tom Smallbone, Matt Thompson, Nathan Buck, Paul Spivey, Llewelyn Jones, Red Pennycook, Arthur Ellis, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Kevin Davis, Alex Penny, Carwyn Jones, Anders Nilsson, Luke Daniels

Coventry
Scott Hamilton, Dan Rundle, Mark Hodgkiss, Rob Knox, Will Hurrell, Matt Jones, Wayne Evans (captain), Andy Brown, Matt Price, Adam Parkins, Tom Poole, Scott Morgan, Danny Wright, Alex Woodburn, Sam Pailor
Reserves
Jake Farnworth, Chad Thorne, Loti Molitika, Callum MacBurnie, Dominic Lespierre

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Ellis 11, 21, penalty 38, Daniels 78), Conversions (Ward 39, 78)
Coventry
Tries (Hurrell 36, penalty 65), Conversions (Jones 65), Penalties (Jones 3, 52)

STORM Watches Man of the Match – Sam Wardingley
Referee – Fergus Kirby
Attendance – 1, 024

Ealing Trailfinders vs Darlington Mowden Park

Ealing Trailfinders maintained their 100 percent home record when they ran in five tries to take the full five points on offer against a side that had pushed them hard earlier in the season.

Just as they were at the Northern Echo Arena, Darlington Mowden Park were a scrappy team who put pressure on through the forwards and liked to give their backs the chance to run the ball when the opportunities arose.

It meant that the five-try bonus point was still in the balance with 10 minutes remaining before Luke Daniels late score ensured the full compliment.

Soon after kickoff Darlington Mowden Park were reduced to 14 men when second row Ben Gledhill was yellow-carded for retaliation and Andy Reay, Ronnie McLean and Will Harries all used the numerical advantage to test the DMP defence.

Despite being a man down DMP sought to keep the ball in hand and allow their young and pacey backline the chance to attack, while halfbacks Sam Stuart and Grant Connon were happy to play on the gain line.

Gledhill was still in the bin when Ben Rath raced the length of the pitch for a try that Connon converted, but Ealing Trailfinders used their forwards to establish territorial dominance and after backs and forwards linked up, Reay popped the ball to Llewelyn Jones who ran home.

The second try arrived soon after through the well-rehearsed catch and drive route when Anders Nilsson caught the lineout and then dropped on the ball when the pack crossed the line.

Connon knocked over a penalty to close out the first half and then almost started the second in the same manner, but pushed his effort wide.

From then on Ealing Trailfinders established their grip on the match and while Alex Bradley marked his return to full fitness with a try, the team were unable to capitalise on good field positions.

In the end it was DMP who scored next when wing Tom Kill raced free down the left wing and while Ealing Trailfinders maintained their pressure Darlington Mowden Park’s defence stood firm.

They finally made the breakthrough with less than 10 minutes remaining when Daniels picked a strong line off Will Harries’ run. Daniels then turned provider when he released Phil Chesters to add a gloss to the scoreline and deny the visitors a losing bonus point.

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Llewelyn Jones 21, Nilsson 26, Bradley 47, Daniels 74, Chesters 77), Conversions (Daniels 21, 47)
Darlington Mowden Park
Tries (Rath 10, Kill 60), Conversions (Connon 10, 60), Penalties (Connon 35)

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Luke Daniels, Ronnie McLean, Andy Reay, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Jamie Kilbane, Andrei Radoi, Nathan Buck, Carwyn Jones, Llewelyn Jones, Danny Kenny, Anders Nilsson, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Kevin Davis, Alex Penny, Paul Spivey, Alex Bradley Nilsson, Chris Kinloch

Darlington Mowden Park
Henry Robinson, Tom Kill, Cameron Mitchell (captain), Garry Law, Ben Rath, Grant Connon, Sam Stuart; Ralph Appleby, Charlie Maddison, Darren Fearn, Ben Gledhill, George Hedgley, Callum Mackenzie, Jack Allcock, Joe Maud
Reserves
Charlie Purkiss-McKendo, Andrew Cox, Tom Larder, Tom Hodgson, Adam Nixon

STORM Watch Man of the Match – Llewelyn Jones
Referee – Gareth Holsgrove
Attendance – 491

Ealing Trailfinders vs Esher

Ealing Trailfinders had to work hard to finish with a win against a dogged Esher side who were fully deserving of their losing bonus point.

The hosts ran in four tries, but the intensity of the match was reflected by no points being scored in the final 30 minutes, a period in which defences stayed on top.

Esher started the scoring early on when flyhalf Ian cross landed a well-struck penalty after Ealing Trailfinders were penalised at a lineout.

The visitors kept up their early pressure and Arthur Ellis had to be alert to clear up a chip over from scrumhalf Robbie Shaw. However, they stretched their lead soon after when Cross hit his second penalty.

Ealing Trailfinders hit back immediately when Phil Chesters added another try to his ever-burgeoning tally, but Esher’s determined defence kept the hosts attacking intentions in check.

Nonetheless on their next attacking foray, Chesters again broke free down the left for his second try that Luke Daniels converted.

Esher continued their abrasive approach and number 8 Brandon Walker and prop Cameron Zeiss both came close from driving runs. Daniels then had to be alert to stop centre Jack Cooke from finishing off a backline move, but they earned their reward when Cross landed his third penalty of the match.

Cross didn’t last the match however as soon after he went down heavily and unfortunately had to go off. A minute later Chris Kinloch swooped on a loose ball and linked up with Sam Wardingley who set Daniels free to race home for the hosts’ third try.

The visitors responded through their pack and closed to within one point by halftime after prop Zeiss burrowed over in the corner. Fullback Ali Chisholm took over the kicking duties and kept up Esher’s 100 percent record from the tee with a well-struck conversion from the touchline.

Chisholm put Esher back in front with another well-struck penalty three minutes into the second half, but after Esher were penalised Ben Ward kicked for the corner, Llewelyn Jones won the line out and Ellis was driven over to secure the bonus point.

Ealing Trailfinders managed to work their way on top of proceedings and Ellis, Chesters, Alex Walker and Paul Spivey came close to racing home, but Esher’s focus didn’t let up and in the end defences stayed on top as the clock ticked to the 80 minute mark.

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Chesters 8, 18, Daniels 33, Ellis 46), Conversions (Daniels 19, 47)
Esher
Tries (Zeiss 38), Conversions (Chisholm 38), Penalties (Cross 2, 6, 29, Chisholm 43)

Ealing Trailfinders
Luke Daniels, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Tom Wheatcroft, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Will Davis, Karl Gibson, Nathan Buck, Llewelyn Jones, Gary Johnson, Anders Nilsson, Arthur Ellis, Danny Kenny (captain)
Reserves
Kevin Davis, Alex Penny, Paul Spivey, Tom Brown, Ronnie McLean

Esher
Ali Chisholm, Harry Lightfoot-Brown, Jack Cooke, Tom Bedford, Spencer Sutherland, Ian Cross, Robbie Shaw; Ollie Mines, Neil Sweeney, Cameron Zeiss, Peter Daly, Ian Kench (captain), Cameron Gentles, Peter Synnott, Brandon Walker
Reserves
Liam Nicholls, David Millard, George Drye, Joe McManus, Tom Chalcraft

STORM Watches Man of the Match – Danny Kenny
Referee – Phil Davies
Attendance – 354

Ealing Trailfinders vs Richmond

Ealing Trailfinders recovered from the loss to Cinderford a week ago by running in nine tries against their rivals from across Kew Bridge in a 99-point clash.

It didn’t take long for Ealing Trailfinders to take the lead. Ben Ward kicked a penalty to touch and while the initial catch and drive was stopped, Alex Walker spotted a gap on the blind side, scooted through it and gave Phil Chesters a simple run in for a try that Ward converted.

Richmond hit back immediately and showed their ambition to keep the ball in hand. James Falconer nearly escaped through a gap and while they came again fullback Rob Kirby missed the chance to add to his 184 points this season by kicking his penalty wide.

The hosts made them pay in emphatic fashion by running in their second try. Tom Wheatcroft led a counter-attack and when the ball was recycled Will Harries set Chesters free on the left-wing for his second in less than 10 minutes,

In response Chris Davies led a Richmond charge into Ealing Trailfinders’ 22, but with the line at his mercy Walker made a vital cover tackle. However, when the ball was recycled his opposite number Jordan Burns outpaced the cover defence to score in the corner.

Again Ealing Trailfinders responded with another try as Luke Daniels used his pace to escape the Richmond defence. Three minutes later Walker secured the bonus point when he popped up on Harries’ shoulder after the Welsh duo had led a counter-attack from deep.

The scoring continued apace as the first half drew on. First Richmond flanker Jamie Thompson flopped on a spilled ball after the visitors had opted to drive a lineout, but from the restart Chesters caught the kickoff to secure his hattrick.

Tom Shaw scored in a similar fashion to his fellow flanker, but again Ealing Trailfinders scored from kickoff as Gary Johnson caught the restart and held off two tacklers to crash over the line.

The second half started with the same pace as the first and Tom Wheatcroft kept the scoring rate high when he wiggled over the line with only three minutes gone. Daniels took over the kicking duties from Ward and made no mistake with his first attempt.

Walker scored his second after Will Davis had broken the Richmond defence with a clever line. He then wrapped up his hattrick when he raced off the back of the scrum after Richmond wing James Kyle had been yellow carded.

The visitors stiffened their resolve and Matt Keville rounded off a flowing move in the corner to bring up the bonus point, while substitute Chris Surman slotted the conversion from the sideline.

The score enlivened the visitors and Harries needed to react quickly to stop Richmond number 8 as he threatened to step through for another try soon after. However, Burns scored his second of the match when he was reacted first to when the ball shot out the back of a scrum and then moments later former Ealing Trailfinders Rory Damant found a gap to go over.

Surman landed the conversion and while Ealing Trailfinders ended the match on the attack there was no more scoring to come from a remarkable 80 minutes of rugby.

Ealing Trailfinders
Will Harries, Luke Daniels, Sam Wardingley, Tom Wheatcroft, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker; Jamie Kilbane, Karl Gibson, Alex Penny, Carwyn Jones, Gary Johnson, Redford Pennycook, Arthur Ellis, Anders Nilsson
Reserves
Will Davis, Nathan Buck, Paul Spivey, Tom Brown, Chris Kinloch

Richmond
Rob Kirby, James Kyle, Jamie Falconer, Matt Keville, Robert Alexander, Rory Damant, Jordan Burns; Tim Walford, Ignacio Corradi, Ian Williams, Myles Scott, Chris Davies, Tom Shaw, Jamie Thompson, Joe Burton
Reserves
Simon Edwards, Stephen Dalton, Henry Cheeseman, Matt Chambers, Chris Surman

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Chesters 2, 9, 29 Daniels 17, Walker 20, 52, 55 Johnson 33, Wheatcroft 43), Conversions (Ward 2, 10, 17, 20, 29, 34, Daniels 44, 53, 56)
Richmond
Tries (Burns 14, 71, Thompson 28, Shaw 32, Keville 63, Damant 73), Conversions (Kirby 28, Surman 64, 73)

STORM Watches Man of the Match- Alex Walker
Referee – Philip Davies
Attendance – 849

Ealing Trailfinders vs Wharfedale

Ealing Trailfinders were in impressive form as they ran in 12 tries against a tricky Wharfedale side to cement their position at the top of National 1.

The visitors showed that they were prepared to play with the ball in hand from the kickoff and twice opted to kick for the corner rather than the posts with two early penalties, but on both occasions Ealing Trailfinders repelled the attack.

A Llewelyn Jones charge through the Wharfedale defence swung the momentum back in the hosts’ favour and soon after Luke Daniels used his pace to escape down the right for his second try in two weeks.

The try put Ealing Trailfinders firmly in control and with strong carrying from Tom Brown and Paul Spivey gaps began to open up in the Wharfedale defence. Tom Wheatcroft nearly ghosted through, but from a catch and driven lineout Arthur Ellis plunged over for his 15th try of the season.

Moments later Daniels and Phil Chesters linked up on the left for the league’s leading scorer to stretch his tally to 19. Four minutes later Daniels picked a sharp line to break the defence and then Ellis latched onto another driving maul for his second.

Despite Ealing Trailfinders’ dominance, Wharfedale managed to capitalise when they had the chance to score. After kicking for a lineout flanker Daniel Solomi broke the line to race away in the corner.

Daniels completed his hattrick when he popped up on Chris Kinloch’s shoulder, but the visitors responded in fine style when they ran a penalty and set Jack Barnard free for a try that Jamie Guy converted on the stroke of halftime.

After the initial exchanges of the second half, Ealing Trailfinders again asserted their dominance and only illegal play stopped Ellis from completing his hattrick of rolling maul tries.

Wharfedale’s Adam Howard and Matt Beesley were both in the sinbin when Brown scored the first of the second half from the back of a scrum and then Chesters took advantage of the extra width to score his second in the corner.

Alex Walker scooted round the back of a rolling maul to stretch the lead further and good link up play between Ellis and his fellow flanker Anders Nilsson ensured that Ealing Trailfinders kept the play in the Wharfedale half from the restart.

The dominance and pressure paid off just after the hour mark when Alex Bradley came off the bench and with his first touch swooped on a loose lineout throw to score Ealing Trailfinders’ 10th try.

Despite the pressure Wharfedale enjoyed a spell when they gained the upper hand and had the home defence scrambling to reorganise. Joshua Prell and Cameron Hudson showed a good turn of pace and scrum-half James Doherty was a sniping presence, but when an attack broke down, Chesters and Will Harries led the counter-attack and Walker was on half to collect the final pass for his second.

Nilsson crashed over from close range to ensure that all four members of the back row finished the day on the scoresheet and while Wharfedale came again, Chris Kinloch led another counter-attack and while he was tackled into touch it brought the curtain down on a thoroughly impressive performance.

Ealing Trailfinders
Luke Daniels, Chris Kinloch, Sam Wardingley, Tom Wheatcroft, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Alex Walker, Jamie Kilbane, Karl Gibson, Alex Penny, Paul Spivey, Llewelyn Jones, Anders Nilsson, Arthur Ellis, Tom Brown (captain)
Reserves
Will Davis, Nathan Buck, Steve Pape, Alex Bradley, Will Harries

Wharfedale
Taylor Prell, Lloyd Davies, Cameron Hudson, Tom Davidson, Oliver Cicognini, Jamie Guy, James Doherty (captain); Joe Altham, Dan Stockdale, Jake Armstrong, Adam Howard, Alex Powell, Jack Barnard, Dan Solomi, Josh Burridge
Reserves
Matt Beesely, Ian Larkin, Chris Steel, James Tyson, Joshua Prell

Scorers
Ealing Trailfinders
Tries (Daniels 9, 23, 35 Ellis 15, 27 Chester 18, 49 Brown 47, Walker 52, 70, Bradley 62, Nilsson 74), Conversions (Ward 9, 15, 24, 27, 33, 53, 63, 70, 74)
Wharfedale
Tries (Solomi 32, Barnard 39), Conversions (Guy 40)

STORM Watches Man of the Match – Luke Daniels
Attendance – 480
Referee – Rob Warburton

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