Resourceful Blues deal with Ealing’s powergame

THIS was a game that lived up to its billing.

The cut and thrust of Bedford was more than able to fashion a good looking try against the bludgeoning power of Ealing.

But with the Trailfinders still intent on hunting down London Irish in the league, it was not for the faint hearted.

Bedford’s victory was testament to the shots they withstood as much as anything else; visibly smaller, they stood in the way of traffic time and again.

It had started in double quick time, no sooner had Will Hooley’s early penalty sailed through the posts, than the Bedford back line produced some neat interplay down the right flank.

Rich Lane and Ryan Hutler combined and eventually Wales international Chris Czekaj eased into open space and cross.

Ealing responded quickly and it was one of the Blues’ old boys who scythed through, pacey Jordan Burns rounding full-back Lane with ease to see the visitors back to within three.

Ealing, however, lost discipline and the boot of Hooley obliged to create a neat six-point half-time lead. But playing down the slope in the second period, Trailfinders must have felt the game was still in reach.

An early second half penalty from Craig Willis pegged the Blues back but Ealing repeatedly gave up crucial field position allowing the Blues were able to regroup.

The pressure eventually told, though, and Ealing edged ahead via a pushover score.

But Bedford’s resolve was obvious.

Winger Dean Adamson was once again their scoring saviour, but most of the plaudits belong in the forward pack.

The Blues squandered an opportunity to rob Ealing of a losing bonus point as Lewis Robling steered a late penalty wide but this was as joyous as Goldington Road had been in a long time.

Ealing’s Willis said: “It was a proper game of rugby but I think we’ll kick ourselves on Monday morning. Any mistake we made, they seemed to capitalise on.”

Bedford’s Lane added: “There were some awesome defensive sets, We had a look in the week as to where we thought we could hurt them and it ended up a good win.”

Blues move level on points with Ealing.