Ealing Trailfinders Academy U20 v London Scottish Academy won 16-12
London Scottish Academy were the visitors to Vallis Way on Saturday as the local rivals met for the first time this season in what was to be a really tough game for the young Trailfinders.
Ealing started the brighter of the two sides in the first half and played some attractive rugby, however, some questionable decision making and often the final pass letting them down. This could be explained by the mix of players from the Development XV and the Academy, but will need to be improved when our other fixtures against Bedford Blues, the Combined Services and Scottish again resume after the festive break.
Fly half Matt Killeen led the back line well in the first half, some strong running play from our back row of Isaac Ajayi, Guy Entwhistle and London & South East U18 trialist Tyler Bush forced Scottish onto the back foot and into conceding penalties. Development Squad centre Alex Ward kicked superbly to convert two and reward the dominance we had.
The only try of the half came from Academy 2nd Row Marcus Lowe who drove over from close range, Ward converted to make the score 13-0 at half time.
London Scottish were a different side after the break, playing one man short due to a first half red card, they lifted the intensity at the set piece and forced Ealing to kick more ball than we would have liked, some sloppy defence by the home side let a kick return become a converted try. buoyed by this success Scottish enjoyed long periods of possession, the pressure told mid way through the half with a line out and subsequent maul being driven over. The score line further piled on the pressure, the final 5 minutes saw the Exiles pound the home sides try line but fantastic defence saw the Academy hold on for a good win.
Another encouraging result to add the wins against the Army and Navy, congratulations to all the players for a good days work.
Ealing Trailfinders Academy U20
Fagan, Woodruffe, Flynn, Ward, Walker, Killeen (c), U,Chong, Entwhistle, Ajayi, Bush, Lowe, Szerezia, Williams, Heckle, Brooker
Replacements
Nash, Adamah, Sonner, Day, Luk, Samms
Scorers
Tries – Lowe
Cons – Ward
Pens – Ward 3
