Billy can’t prevent a Sarries defeat
Billy Vunipola completed Saracens’ first match since their relegation from the Gallagher Premiership but the England No. 8 was powerless to prevent defeat.
The weekend’s only game involving an English team at any level saw Vunipola take centre stage in front of Eddie Jones in his maiden outing since the final of the Autumn Nations Cup last month.
Trailfinders crossed first when fast hands sent Angus Kernohan over but the try was made possible by a dummy from scrum-half Craig Hampson that deceived a visiting defence that was pinned close to their line.
Otherwise all the points in a tight opening quarter were supplied by penalties from Craig Willis andwill Hooley.
Vunipola became increasingly involved as the half progressed, carrying into heavy traffic and barrelling into the breakdown, but Saracens met with stiff resistance from fired-up opponents.
A solid five-metre scrum saw Vunipola pop a pass to Aled Davies and the speed of the play outwitted Ealing as full-back Elliot Obatoyinbo dived over.
Trailfinders finished the half with a flourish and went close early in the second before sustaining pressure on the visiting line by winning a Saracens scrum and then battering away.
The assault ended when hooker Alunwalker forced his way over, but the score only served to ignite Mccall’s men and they began attacking with greater purpose until replacement Kapeli Pifeleti finished a line-out maul.
But the game tilted on its axis again when Walker grabbed his second with Willis converting to put Ealing beyond reach.
Saracens hooker Tom Woolstencroft finished a forward assault from a short-range freekick, but the match had already entered stoppage time.