Big impact from the bench

EALING stretched their unbeaten run to seven but they were pushed hard by a spirited Hartpury.

So much that Hartpury threatened an upset after going 14-0 up – but Ealing dug deep and a three try salvo in the second-half put the game to bed.

Ealing director of rugbyBen Ward said: “I’m delighted to come away with the win. Hartpury were the better side overall and, if they can play like that, relegation shouldn’t be an issue for them.

“We were awful in a number of areas in the first-half. However, we showed good composure in the second-half and all credit to the boys that came on, they made a big difference.”

In a scrappy game played in a fierce wind, it was Hartpury who broke the deadlock after impressive No.9 Ben Vellacott, on loan from Gloucester, sniped over from close range.

Hartpury doubled their lead in the second-half after good pressure from the pack took them within inches of the line before Vellacott again darted over.

Ealing freshened things up off the bench and Matt Cornish, having replaced Alun Walker at hooker, put his side in a great attacking position with a neat blindside probe.

Having won the penalty, the gathering strength of Ealing’s forwards did the rest and they drove over with Sam Dickinson claiming the try which hailed the start of the fightback.

Ealing continued to rattle the Hartpury cage by winning the important collisions and there was a certain inevitability about the penalty try.

It was to prove a double whammy for Hartpury as

they lost Lewis Ludlow (technical offence) to the sin bin, and it proved the cue for Ealing to move in for the kill.

It was the second time that Hartpury incurred the wrath of referee, Sara Cox, after prop Des Merrey was yellow-carded in the firsthalf for a scrum offence.

Fittingly the back row, buoyed by an outstanding display from US international Andrew Duratalo, had the final word as the pack set up Rayn Smid who drove over.

Ealing still had time to extend their lead via a welltaken penalty from Peter Lydon which set the seal on a hard-fought win.

Hartpury director of rugby John Barnes said: “It was disappointing to come away with nothing, but it shows that we can compete with teams at the top.

“I’m very heartened by the performance, and we will look to pick up points in all our remaining games.”