Lydon’s late score brings up bonus for Ealing
EALING Trailfinders scored four tries in a comprehensive victory over Jersey Reds at Vallis Way.
The hosts dominated the match but lacked a clinical edge, however a 78th minute try from Peter Lydon secured a valuable bonus point to keep them second in the table.
Trailfinders head coach Alex Codling was delighted to get back to winning ways in front of the home supoprters.
“If you’d have offered us 25 points out of 30 from the first six matches we’d have been very pleased and we know that we can keep improving. We’re in a good place as we head in to the British and Irish Cup.”
In a match in which both sides failed to play with a huge amount of intensity due to a high error count, it was Ben Ward’s side who started strongly.
Alun Walker drove over the line from a rolling maul to score for the fifth consecutive match to give the hosts an early 7-0 lead after Lydon’s conversion.
Brendan Cope cut the deficit to 7-3 with a penalty from outside the 22, and the Jersey defence held firm until just before the break.
It looked as if they would head in to half time trailing by just four points, but a try from Miles Mantella with the last play gave Ealing breathing space.
A break out wide from Andrew Durutalo gave Ealing front-foot ball, and the ball was recycled to Mantella who dived over the line in the corner.
Lydon kicked a penalty four minutes into the second half to extend the lead to 17-3, and Andrew Durutalo then scored his fifth try of the season to give his team a commanding advantage.
The American international drove over from close
range under the posts, and Lydon converted to put the hosts 24-3 in front.
Ealing were chasing the bonus point and were guilty of over-playing at times with a number of handling errors, but they breathed a huge sigh of relief when they scored their fourth try with just two minutes remaining.
Calum Waters took a quick tap penalty and raced away from the defence, before passing to Lydon who beat the final defender to dot down over the line.
There was still time for the re-start, and Jersey had the final word with Tom Pincus crossing the line with the last play of the match to give the Channel Islanders a consolation try.
Jersey head coach Harvey Biljon had no complaints with the result. “Ealing are a formidable outfit and they deserve credit, they didn’t give us a lot of opportunities. We’ve got a lot of work to do and will keep working hard.”