Freezing fog can’t stop Ealing taking their chances

By JIM BATES

Hartpury Uni …. 13pts

Tries: Jones 16

Conversion: Mathews 16

Penalties: Mathews 31, 48

Ealing T ………….26pts

Tries: Uzokwe 25, 40; Penalty 25, Tizzano 69

Conversions: Willis 26, 40

Floods, frozen pitches and freezing fog, but the game went ahead on Hartpury’s reserve 3G pitch and Ealing showed why they are title favourites. Hartpury fought hard for a losing bonus point but their driving maul was held up at the death.

Ealing director of rugby Ben Ward said: “We are really pleased with the five points. Hartpury posed a real challenge and are in good form. Our scrum and physicality got us over the line.”

Hartpury opened the scoring after Brad Denty glided through a gap and his inside pass put scrum-half Matty Jones in under the sticks.

Hartpury lost tighthead Jon Soloman with a shoulder injury. His replacement Alex Gibson lasted one scrum before he too left the field injured to be replaced by Totti Soloman, in a position he hadn’t played for a year.

Ealing got on the board after a sustained, direct attack saw the impressive Simon Uzokwe steam over the line. A fumbled kick off receipt led to more Ealing pressure, but Hartpury held out and soon after Tommy Mathews stroked over a penalty to add to his earlier conversion for a 10-7 Hartpury lead.

The front row changes told and Ealing scored two quickfire tries before half-time. A penalty try from a lineout drive saw prop Joe Wrafter yellow carded before Uzokwe powered over, Craig Willis converting both for a 21-10 half-time.

Hartpury were first on the board after half-time with a simple Mathews penalty. He missed another opportunity from the tee leaving Ealing eight points clear.

The powerful Ealing scrum and drive began to dominate but despite winning several penalties leading to good attacking positions, Hartpury’s defence kept the Ealing machine at bay. Finally, after a poor exit from Hartpury, Ealing had an attacking scrum 10m out which led to replacement Carlo Tizzano diving over. Willis missed the conversion.

Hartpury threw everything into gaining a losing bonus point but a missed opportunity for a clean two on one was squandered as Mathews failed to release the ball inside for an easy run in and a 5m driving lineout drive was held up.

Hartpury DoR John Barnes said: “It’s disappointing not to get any points out of the game. We defended brilliantly at times, but couldn’t quite cope with their scrum power. Losing two tightheads within a matter of minutes wasn’t helpful!”