First-half blitz gets Trailfinders rolling again

EALING bounced back from last weekend’s shock defeat at Doncaster with a dominant first half setting up a large victory.

Trailfinders led 40-3 at the break, but Ampthill managed to draw the second half, ultimately it was a resounding victory for the title favourites .

While happy with the win, Ealing prop Lewis Thiede knows they must improve for the trip to Richmond next week.

He said: “Our discipline has to be much better. The second half was a little bit messy, but it’s really good to bounce back from last week – the boys are happy.”

In the cold and blustery conditions, neither side were able to put any points on the board until the 12th minute when Ampthill flyhalf Russell Bennett hammered home a penalty from just inside his own half.

Despite Ealing lock Bobby De Wee being sent to the bin for foul play, it didn’t take long for the hosts to respond with flanker Simon Uzokwe picking up from the base of a scrum and powering over from five metres, Craig Willis converting.

The Trailfinders instantly built on their momentum and after some slick hands in the backs Luke Daniels ran over unopposed in the far corner for the try.

The Ealing freight train had not only left the station but was roaring full steam by the half hour mark. Two quick tries by centre Max Bodilly and flanker Max Northcote-Green gave the hosts a 26-3 lead and their bonus point.

By half-time tempers were flaring and Ealing were 40-3 up courtesy of a Willem Massyn try, bulldozing his way under the sticks, with Bodilly following up with his second try in the last play.

Ampthill flew out the blocks after the break, and with a penalty advantage in the opposition’s 22, Tom Hudson dinked through the cheekiest of grubbers which Ben Cambriani dived onto under the posts.

It did not take long for Ealing to put some points on the board themselves, and winger Cian Kelleher dived over in the corner. Willis’ conversion from out wide bounced over off the post, in what could sum up the day for both teams.

The hour mark saw replacement No.8 Morgan Monks blitz his way through the Ealing defence for Ampthill’s second try but the final score went the way of the hosts as Kelleher found himself on the end of an overlap to score Ealing’s final try two minutes from time.

REFEREE: Dan Jones ATTENDANCE: 828