Trailfinders bounce back after slip up at Bedford

EALING managed to get back to winning ways with a hard-fought victory over Scottish having trailed at half-time.

The Scots had the lead early in the second half but the hosts rallied to ensure they marked their first home match of the year with a win.

Having lost away at Bedford last week, a delighted Trailfinders director of rugby Ben Ward said: “We battled hard against a very strong Scottish side. Today was all about getting the win and we will look to build momentum from here.”

Trailfinders made an impressive start and opened the scoring when hooker Alun Walker drove over after just five minutes – but the visitors turned the scoreboard on its head with a quarter of an hour on the clock.

An inside ball opened up a huge gap which allowed Miles Mantella to race in from 40 metres, and just moments later they extended their lead after a Trailfinders lineout was over thrown and bounced up to the Scots.

They instantly spun the ball wide and Tom Griffiths had the pace to run through the defence and slide over for their second try. Jennings converted both to fire Scottish in front.

The hosts created a number of opportunities in the lead up to half time but were left frustrated and the Scots went in at the break with a two point advantage.

Scottish extended their lead immediately as Griffiths broke through again to run through, but the hosts responded when James Cordy Redden was the beneficiary of an overlap on the left wing to cut the deficit to just two points.

Ealing eventually hit the front just before the hour mark as captain Rayn Smid went over for their fourth try after going through the phases in the 22, and Lydon’s conversion put them five points up heading in to the final quarter.

Matt Cornish put the result beyond doubt after a rolling maul powered over the line for try number five, but the Scots earned a deserved try bonus point in the closing stages as Byron Hodge latched on to an offload to dive over before Lydon closed the match with a late penalty.

Scottish director of rugby Dave Morris said: “We came here today with real belief and I’m proud of how we accounted ourselves but eventually we were overpowered by a very physical Ealing outfit.”