Ealing show gulf in class between top and bottom

THIS battle between the league leaders and bottom-placed side went as many anticipated.

Ealing ran in 15 tries to bring up the century and underline the huge gulf in class on display.

London Scottish DoR Matt Williams said: “I think what sums today up best, is the disparity of the Championship. Today it was top versus bottom, our playing budget is the same as their director of rugby’s yearly salary. And the reality of it is, that’s what’s going to happen.”

The one-sided contest began with Ealing running in to score after just nine minutes. Scrumhalf Craig Thompson took a quick tap penalty, and played in winger Charlie Walker to score, Fly-half Steve Shingler converting.

Ealing hooker Jan Campher then scored a rolling maul from a lineout after 27 minutes and a penalty try followed shortly, after Scottish wing Dalton Grant illegally halted a rolling maul and was sinbinned for his actions.

Ealing centre Matt Gordon made a break and ran in from the half way line to score just two minutes later as the Trailfinders found top gear.

Shingler maintained his accuracy from the tee for a 28-0 lead.

The league leaders then scored two tries in two minutes before the break throuh captain Rayn Smid and Campher to send the teams off for the break. Shingler slotted the two kicks to take a 42-0 lead into half-time.

The relentless tryscoring continued all throughout the second half. Campher secured his hat-trick by grounding a third rolling maul three minutes after the re-start. Craig Willis took up kicking duties, but missed his opening conversion.

Scottish finally got on the scoreboard after 48 minutes through winger Noah Ferdinand, assisted by Hayden Hyde’s looping pass with Laurence May slotting the conversion.

Willis converted Ealing’s next four tries from scrum-half Jordan Burnes and prop Tadgh McElroy scored a hattrick from close range – first a pick and driving and then from driving mauls. Ealing ran in four more in the final ten minutes. Walker scored his second before Luke Daniels, Jack Digby and Rueben Bird-Tulloch all crossed as Ealing continue to set themselves up for a promotion shot.