Good win but plenty to improve says Lowes
EALING Trailfinders started their pre-season matches with a comprehensive win over Bishop’s Stortford at Trailfinders Sports Club.
Ben Ward’s side scored 11 tries as they rampaged their way to a big win over the National One side.
Ealing coach Jimmy Lowes was pleased with his side as they showed encouraging signs for a first hit-out.
“Credit to Bishop’s Stortford who battled hard, we are happy with our performance but know that we have plenty to work on,” he said.
“Any time that you score 70 points you have to be pleased, but we know that next week against Rosslyn Park is another big test to prepare for.”
Ealing started strongly and opened the scoring with a try from Reon Joseph who stepped his way to the line on after ten minutes.
Peter Lydon capitalised on a loose ball to run clear from 50 metres for try number two, and Seb Stegmann also crossed the line in the first quarter as the lead began to grow.
Harry Sloan picked a great line to go over from close range, and Reon Joseph then intercepted before half time to extend the lead to 33 points.
Debutant Steven Shingler kicked four conversions in the opening 40 minutes, and in the final play of the half Nick Hankin got a deserved score for the visitors as he latched on to a grubber kick to send the teams down the tunnel with the scoreboard reading 33-7 to the hosts.
Trailfinders started the second half in style with a try from David Johnston. A five metre scrum gave them the platform, and the captain drove over from close range to dive under the posts.
Ben West then scored with his first touch as he was the beneficiary of a flat pass to wrestle to the line, and Seb Stegmann brought up the half century by gathering a cross field kick.
A whole host of substitutions then stopped the flow of the game as it entered the final quarter, but Jordan Burns went over the line from half way after a huge tackle from Craig Willis released the ball.
Bishop’s Stortford crashed over for their second try as Tom Lewis dotted down, but late tries from centre David Johnston and back row Andrew Durutalo ensured the Green and Whites ended the happier of the teams.