Stourbridge started the game well testing the Ealing Trailfinders defence in the early exchanges of the game. A blustery wind into the Ealing Trailfinders side restricted their options when looking to kick out of their 22mt. Encouraging phase play from the home side was halted by the odd handling error thus giving the visitors the opportunity to remain in the Ealing Trailfinders half. A Stourbridge lineout 10 meters out saw the Midlands side go wide from first phase to score in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful resulting in Stourbridge leading 5-0 after 15 minutes play. Ealing Trailfinders replied soon after playing a well controlled phase set and kept the ball for long periods of time. After numerous phases the ball made its way to Simon Gaynor on the wing to score in the 21st minute. Neil Hallett added the extra two points to take Ealing Trailfinders into a rightly deserved 7-5 lead. Swift handling from the Ealing Trailfinders back-line led to Phil Chesters crossing over for the second try of the game. The reliable Hallett converted to take Ealing Trailfinders into a 14-5 lead. Stourbridge fly-half Mark Woodrow kicked a penalty to take the visitors closer to the Ealing Trailfinders lead with 10 minutes left of the half. The score remained 14-8 till the half-time break.
Ealing Trailfinders began the second half well controlling possession and playing their rugby in the visitor’s half. Morgan Thompson’s quick thinking and power resulted in the home side’s third try. The scrum-half spotted the smallest of gaps to exploit after taking a quick-tap penalty. Hallett’s third successful conversion gave Ealing Trailfinders a 21-8 lead. The biggest cheer of the day came when Dinos Alexopoulos burst through from a maul to sprint 30 meters and provide a delicate off-load. The well-deserved bonus point try came for the hosts when Peter Hodgkinson crashed over after some good handling from forwards and the backs created the space out wide. Hallett could not add the extras as Ealing Trailfinders took an impressive 26-8 lead with half an hour left in the match.
To the credit of the Stourbridge side, they came back into the game with an improved passage of play. Constant pressure led to the visitors going over from a catch and drive with Woodrow adding the extras to make it 26-15. Ealing Trailfinders went further ahead with a Hallett penalty. The last play of the game saw the Midlands side crash over from a driving maul to leave the final score at 29-22.
Cudmore stated the squad are looking forward to an improved performance next weekend. "We were happy with certain aspects of our performance but all agreed there are areas we need to work on and improve. We achieved a bonus point win and will be looking for a big away performance from all involved this week, “said the Director of Rugby.
Next week Ealing travel to Sedgley Park who scored over 50 points against Birmingham & Solihull Bees just 2 weeks ago.
We hope to see you all at our next home game on the 22nd October against Blaydon with an earlier KO time of 2.30pm (to find out more click here)
