Ealing on fire to set up Jersey ‘cracker’

By XANDER CHEVALLIER

Ealing……………………32pts

Tries: Bird-Tulloch 8, 33, Holmes 29, 71

Conversions: Daniels 8, 29, 33

Penalties: Daniels 25, 38

Doncaster……………….0pts

Try doubles for Reuben Bird-Tulloch and Jonah Holmes saw Ealing cruise past Doncaster to book their place in the final of the Championship Cup.

The victory sets up a mouthwatering clash against Jersey Reds, as the two best teams in the league go head to head for one last time this season.

Ealing director of rugby Ben Ward said: “I thought the energy and application from our players was fantastic, the scrum was really strong and we won those battles on the floor. We're all excited to face Jersey. It's the two best teams in the league going head to head. It should be a cracker.”

After a scrappy start, which wasn't helped by the torrential early conditions, Dan Lancaster worked some magic to create the first score on eight minutes. The fly-half put in a beautiful grubber behind the Doncaster defence which Bird-Tulloch kicked on before diving on the ball to dot down. The extras were added by Luke Daniels on his 100th appearance.

Doncaster did well to stifle the host's momentum and after repeated kicks to the corner that were unsuccessful, Trailfinders settled for a penalty to stretch their lead to two scores.

Crashing home: Ealing centre Reuben Bird-Tulloch scores against Doncaster

With the half hour mark approaching, Doncaster still hadn't learnt their lesson about covering in behind. Lancaster this time chose to chip it, and Holmes didn't even have to break stride as he regathered. The Welsh international fended off the fullback before scoring under the sticks.

Less than five minutes later, the hosts were in again. After great buildup play from the forwards, the ball found its way to Bird-Tulloch. The centre was able to jink inside and out to beautifully dot down for his brace.

With the clock running down in the first half Daniels added another penalty to make it Ealing 27-0 Doncaster at the break. After such an exciting first-half from the host's perspective, the opening to the second 40 was more muted. There were no scores during the opening 20 minutes, which saw Ollie Newman first sent to the bin for Trailfinders, and then Conor Davidson and then Jake Armstrong replaced him for the visitors shortly afterwards, after repeated penalties at the scrum.

Now down to 13 men, Ealing turned the screw. After winning the scrum against the head, the ball found its way to Holmes on the wing who looked to muscle over for his second. Initially it looked like the Knights were able to hold him up, but the winger did well to reach out and dot down to claim Trailfinders' fourth try of the afternoon.

With ten minutes left to play, Doncaster Knights threatened to claim a consolation score but the hosts did well to keep them out.