Ealing Trailfinders 40 Richmond 14

Nail biting times for Ealing

Despite completing the double over Richmond with this convincing 40 -14 victory, Ealing Trailfinders slipped to 3rd in London 1 after rivals Worthing ran in a cricket score of 146 – 0 against already relegated Guildford. This result leaves Ealing trailing Worthing, on points difference, by 54 points, both teams having equal league points, with just two nail-biting games to go.

A warm, blustery day greeted the players as they ran on to the pitch and Richmond kicked off into the wind. It was Richmond who had derailed Worthing’s season just three weeks ago by beating them at home, so this was a real test for Ealing.

It was the home side who had to soak up the early pressure but then started to ease their way up the field with a good combination of running rugby and clever tactical kicking. Moving the ball swiftly from each breakdown started to stretch the defensive resources of Richmond and led to an early penalty being awarded after the Richmond back line strayed offside. Ben Ward calmly kicked the conversion to settle nerves both on and off the pitch. 3 – 0 soon became 8 – 0 when Ward added a try after swift handling ruptured the creaking Richmond defensive line.

With the Ealing pack outplaying a larger and less mobile set of Richmond forwards, the backs were getting the sort of quick ball they like and soon Ealing were dominating every phase of play. The next try arrived when No 8 Russell Carr finished off a powerful drive near the right hand touchline. Ben Ward was unable to add the conversion, which narrowly missed, but Ealing now had a healthy 13 – 0 lead. Despite all their efforts Ealing were unable to breach the Richmond line further until a brace of tries were scored by  centre Kene Ejikeme just before half time. Both tries came as a result of some wonderful interplay by the Ealing backs and with Ben Ward adding the conversions Ealing went into half time with a very positive 27 – 0 lead.       

As expected , Richmond came out for the start of the second half determined to reduce the deficit but Ealing repulsed all their attacks with some strong tackling. Playing into the wind this half meant that Ealing tried to run the ball more often and this paid off when Scott Hodson finished off a move that had begun inside the Ealing half. Hodson then added another try to his tally when he emerged from the bottom of a forwards drive following a penalty being awarded when a Richmond player had been yellow carded for persistently collapsing the maul. However, Richmond finally got onto the score card when their forwards managed to get a drive on from close out and their tight head prop crossed the line. With the conversion being added the score had been pulled back to 37 – 7 but Ealing hadn’t finished their scoring yet.  Catching the Richmond backs offside in front of their post led to Ben Ward adding his second penalty of the day to extend the Ealing lead to 40 – 7.

With tired limbs all around the park, Richmond replaced one of their centres and the freshness of the replacement enabled him to out-sprint the Ealing cover to score just to the left of the posts. Again the conversion was added to give a final score of 40 – 14 in Ealing’s favour. Ealing’s task is now simple and clear. To gain a play-off spot, and a chance of promotion, they must out-score Worthing by at least 54 points in two games, plus whatever advantage Worthing make in their two games.

Ealing’s next match is in two weeks time on the 31st March when they travel to Guildford, where they will be seeking a cricket score against this already relegated side. London Scottish remain top of the league following their victory over Bishops Stortford.

Pictures: Fenton Willis

Report: Malcolm Bentley

March 22, 2007