Gritty Reds give Ealing a run for their money

TABLE-TOPPING Trailfinders held off a fierce challenge from Jersey to remain unbeaten at Vallis Way.

The Islanders started the more vigorously and an impressive first-half display saw them lead at half-time.

However Ealing found their groove in the second period and were too far clear to be affected by a late surge from the Jersey forwards which got them back to within one score.

After a sustained period of attack within Trailfinders 22, Jersey fly-half Sam Leeming went for the posts to give the visitors an early lead.

Moments later, Ealing found space behind Jersey’s backline and several drives from the forwards saw Craig Hampson shift the ball back to Steven Shingler, who muscled his way over for Ealing’s first try, which he then converted.

In what was a hardfought opening quarter of the game, Jersey quickly struck back. Hard-hitting carries got the visitors within Trailfinders 22 and from an attacking lineout a darting run inside by Jersey Reds captain Lewis Wynne saw him power through a gap to score Jersey’s first try and regain their lead.

Five minutes later the visitors extended their lead with multiple phases inside Trailfinders 22 leading to Steve Longwell eventually powering his way through the defence for a 15-7 lead midway through the half.

With just minutes left in the first half, a clever knock through from the boot of Shingler got Trailfinders within the 22 and a knocked-on ball was swooped up by Luke Daniels who raced down the wing to touch down

and bring Ealing back to within a point at the break.

The second half started with the same intensity as the first.

This time it was Trailfinders who struck first when they were rewarded with a penalty just inside Jersey’s half.

Shingler kicked to the corner and the resulting lineout was finished off at the back of the rolling maul by the hooker Shaun Malton, Shingler convertin.

However, in what was becoming an end-to-end affair, Jersey quickly hit back just a matter of minutes later when a lineout drivesaw the referee award a penalty try putting the Reds back in front with 25 minutes to go, with Malton sent to the sin bin.

The game was on a knife-edge and Simon Uzokwe’s interception try from halfway proved a real momentum swinger just as the Reds were looking to push on.

Then quick thinking from Ealing scrum-half Craig Hampson saw him show and go, darting inside to score what would prove to be the decisive try.

Eoghan Clarke scored a late try for Jersey with just two minutes left on the clock but Ealing held on.