Nottigham give Ealing some food for thought

EALING hustled and bustled to remain top of the Championship, but it was Nottingham who provided the sparks at muddy Lady Bay.

The Londoners were firmly in control by halftime yet they will remember this trip for Nottingham’s attacking play which conjured three tries against a powerful opposing pack.

Ealing, who remain six points clear of second-placed Jersey, led 24-7 at the break having dominated after Nottingham’s Jordan Olowofela had scored the opening try in the second minute. It was a try to remember as the full-back broke clear from his own half in an attack which started behind Nottingham’s own posts.

The try, converted by Sam Hollingsworth, certainly concentrated Ealing’s efforts and they quickly made up for a dropped ball which led to that Nottingham try.

Once the Championship leaders stopped the fumbles, Nottingham spent most of the first half back pedalling.

Ealing were well served by halfbacks Craig Willis and Craig Hampton who controlled affairs.

Willis grabbed the first try by feeding off a drive from his pack and his own kick ahead put full-back Jonah Holmes through for the second.

Nottingham did not help themselves at times and Ealing’s third try stemmed from Jordan Olowefela having a clearing kick charged down by centre Max Bodilly.

To finish the half, Ealing mounted another forward drive which brought the fourth try for hooker Alun Walker.

Ealing added a fifth straight after half-time from prop Kyle Whyte only to be upstaged again by Nottingham’s attacking play. This time it was the other Olowefela brother, Ryan, who outjumped the Ealing defence to catch a cross kick from Hollingsworth who added the conversion to cut the deficit to 14-29 after 47 minutes.

It did not trigger a Nottingham charge because they brought on four substitutes in one go to give players opportunities.

Ealing added two tries in the final quarter from Holmes and substitute No 8 Simon Uzokwe.

In between, Nottingham showed their enterprise again by scoring a third try, Jack Neville wriggling through to score.

Overall, Ealing boss Ben Ward was delighted. “This is always a tough place to come and we executed our game plan very weli. They are a dangerous team as they showed.”