Late Ealing flurry flattens Dragons

TRAILFINDERS hit the Dragons for six as they conjured up a magnificent, moraleboosting 41-21 triumph at Ystrad Mynach.

Kingsley Jones’ blend of youth and experience failed to get to grips with a highly motivated Championship outfit and Dragons old boy Will Harries was among the visiting try scorers.

After the euphoria of their 38-28 home win over Cardiff Blues a week earlier, this result will have brought them crashing down to earth with a resounding bump.

This was supposed to be a chance for players to raise their hand for selection.

Ealing arrived with three former Dragons in their ranks, their new skipper Alex Walker, Harries and Arthur Ellis, as well as exCross Keys utility back James Cordy-Redden and former Ebbw Vale supremo Alex Codling among their coaches. Those Welsh links fired-up the visitors to claim a notable scalp.

Hooker Rhys Buckley gave the Dragons the lead with a third minute try, converted by Angus O’Brien, but it didn’t take long for flanker Will Ryan to bag the first of his two tries to level.

Ed Jackson finished off from a driving lineout to regain the lead for the home side, but Ryan’s second try made it all square again at the break. Jonny Bentley edged Ealing ahead at the start of the second half with a penalty before Charlie Davies darted over to make it 21-17 after 54 minutes.

But that was as good as it got for the Dragons. Ealing finished with a flourish, and 24 unanswered points, as Harries, hooker Matt Cornish, scrum half Luke Carter and prop Will Davis crossed for tries. ROB COLE