Doubles all round as Ealing keep up pressure

By WILLIAM THURTLE

Ealing T ………… 64pts

Tries: Davidson 4, Smid 14, Montgomery 18, 79, Hardwick 25, 77, Cornish 32, Uzokwe 57, 62, Willemse 65

Conversions: Willis 4, 25, 32, 58, 65, 77, 80

Cambridge ……… 7pts

Tries: Caven 44

Conversions: Benson 44

EALING Trailfinders piled on 10 tries as they continued their unbeaten start to the season with a comprehensive victory to go top of the Championship after three bonus-point victories.

Will Montgomery, Richard Hardwick and Simon Uzokwe each scored twice, with all of Trailfinders tries incredibly being scored by forwards as Cambridge struggled to cope with their intensity.

“We're really pleased with the five points,” said Ealing head coach Ben Ward. “We started really well, took control of territory and built a lead and then, after a slow start to the second half, were able to press the accelerator in the final 20.”

It didn't take long for Ealing to get into their groove – Andrew Davidson starting the scoring with a punishing run after some quick Trailfinders hands. Rayn Smid extended the lead after 14 minutes, finishing off a neat move down the right after Tom Collins came off his wing with devastating pace to break the Cambridge defensive line.

It didn't take long for Ealing to add their third, man-of-the-match Lloyd Willliams releasing Will Montgomery who crashed over to put the home side 17 – 0 up.

Richard Hardwick, who came off the bench in the fifth minute, showcased his international quality latching on to a Billy Twelvetrees offload to make it 24–0 after 25 minutes. Ealing forwards dominance continued in fine style, Matt Cornish profiting off the back of a rampaging driving maul to extend the lead to 31-0 at half-time.

Cambridge played their best rugby at the end of the first-half and started the second the brighter of the sides. Ealing conceded three quick penalties, with Eli Caven latching on to a deft Jamie Benson chip for their first points.

More poor Ealing discipline allowed Cambridge to camp themselves in the home side's 22 for a sustained period of pressure, only for Max Bodilly to deny a second try.

Minutes later Caven thought he had his second, only to be penalised due to a double movement as he crossed the tryline. Simon Uzokwe instantly made his presence felt off the bench on his return from injury, putting the Trailfinders in a commanding 43–7 lead with two tries in less than five minutes before Mike Willemse capitalised on another crunching driving maul to bring up the 50.

Second tries for Hardwick and Montgomery capped off an authoritative afternoon for Ealing, with Craig Willis adding his seventh conversion.