REPORT: Ealing Trailfinders 11 – 46 Leeds Carnegie

Ealing Trailfinders were unable to add to their points total after Leeds Carnegie put on an impressive display to underline their promotion credentials.

Ealing started well and Ben Ward’s cross to Phil Chesters nearly put the wing away and while he was brought down close to the line Leeds flanker Jacob Rowan was sent to the sin-bin for not releasing in the tackle.

Soon after though it was Leeds who took the lead when centre Fred Burdon swept up a loose ball following a charge-down to score and with Alex Lozowski adding the conversion the visitors were into an early 7-0 lead.

Ealing hit back with the forward pack, but despite strong carries from Steve Pape and Ed Siggery, the hosts were unable to find a way through.

They kept up their pressure and after a good chase from Sam Wardingley and Andrew Henderson on the right wing, Ward picked out Chesters who held off the defend to race in for his eighth try of the season to close the deficit to two points.

Leeds showed why they were up with the promotion hopefuls by hitting back once more through prop Ben Hooper who barrelled over to give Lozowski a simple conversion that he didn’t miss.

The Yorkshire side kept up the pressure, but great work at the break-down by Ronnie McLean won the turnover and Morgan Thompson cleared the danger. Eventually Ealing won a penalty from a scrum and Ward knocked over the kick for the three points.

Almost immediately Leeds scored their third converted try, a second from Burdon who finished off a length of the field try that Lozowski converted. The fly-half then knocked over a penalty to send his side in 24-8 at half-time.

Ward got the first points of the second half when he slotted a straight-forward penalty, but after that Leeds controlled the match.

Back-rowers Ryan Burrows and Mike Myerscough powered over before Josh Griffin took advantage of a favourable bounce to kick through and score in the corner. With three minutes remaining Oli Goss found space to dot down in the corner and wrap up the win.

Ealing Trailfinders
Andrew Henderson, Sam Wardingley, Chris Kinloch, Ronnie McLean, Phil Chesters, Ben Ward, Morgan Thompson; Steve Neville, Max Crumpton, Conor Carey, Steve Pape, George Merrick, Adam Preocanin, Ed Siggery, Mat Evans (captain)
Reserves: Richard Townsend, Ryan Storer, Tim Brockett, Dan Collier, TJ Anderson, Stuart Commins, Tom Bedford
Leeds Carnegie
Jonah Holmes, Josh Griffin, Rob Vickerman, Fred Burdon, David Doherty, Alex Lozowski, Craig Hampson; Lee Imiolek, Joe Graham, Ben Hooper, Nathan Hannay, Matt Smith, Mike Myerscough, Jacob Rowan, Ryan Burrows
Reserves: Phil Nilsen, Chris Walker, Damian Tussac, David Sisi, Richard Beck, James Doherty, Oli Goss, Chris Walker

Man of the match – George Merrick
Referee – Greg MacDonald
Attendance – 631