Now it’s Ealing’s turn to celebrate
For the second year in the row, Ealing Trailfinders were crowned Championship Cup winners after a thrilling victory over Jersey at Trailfinders Sports Club.
A Jonah Holmes brace, followed by scores from Jack Digby, Max Bodilly and George Davis helped the Londoners retain the trophy.
They were however pushed hard by the league champions, as a late Ben Woollett double saw Jersey finish with a flourish.
Ealing director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “I'm absolutely delighted for the boys to get that result.
“After the disappointment of three weeks ago, I think we needed this trophy more than they did and I'm so proud of all the players and staff.
“A word needs to go to Jersey for how well they've done this year, they've pushed us to be better and I'm looking forward to our battle next year.”
With the atmosphere bubbling up nicely at kick-off, Ealing flew out of the blocks. After the rolling maul came up just short, they drew in all numbers, before Craig Hampson slung the ball wide for Holmes to score in the corner after ten minutes. Luke Daniels impressively added the extras from the touchline.
Jersey responded on the 20-minute mark, as Jordan Holgate burst through the defensive line and managed to bundle over despite an impressive covering tackle.
Just before the break, Ealing almost got their second, but Holmes was held up after Alun Lawrence was sent to the bin for repeated Jersey offsides.
The start of the second half was very similar to the first, as the hosts flew out of the blocks. It took them only five minutes to score their second try and it was almost a car bon copy of their first. As the maul came up short, the Londoners kept slowly picking and going, making precious metres each time. Then, after the numbers were drawn in, Hampson found Holmes on the wing again as he barged over.
TEAMS
EALING: Kelleher 8, Daniels 9, Bodilly 9, Bird-Tulloch 8, Holmes 9, Lancaster 8 (Shingler 27, 8), Hampson 8 (Burns 78), Gibbons 8 (W Davis 49, 8), Walker 8 (Terry 62, 8), Thiede 8 (G Davis 53, 8), De Wee 9 (Davidson 61, 8) , O'Connor (c) 8, Korczyk 8 (Maddison 75), Newman 8 (Digby 56, 8), Uzokwe 8
JERSEY: Owen 7, Woollett 8, Powell 6 (Barnes 48, 7), Holgate 7, Lewis 7 (Hutler 72), Bennett 6, Elliott 7 (Mitchell 48, 6), Grahamslaw 8, Clarke (Harris 11, 8), Longwell 8 (Nicol 59, 7), Dun 7, Scott 6 (Hadfield 65, 6), Argyle 6, Wynne (c) 7, Lawrence 6
REFEREE: Hamish Smales
ATTENDANCE: 1,225
Star man Luke Daniels -Ealing
Now with a nine-point lead, the hosts would have wanted to extend it, however Jersey had other ideas. A fast penalty saw them go to the corner and after their fake maul play came up short, TJ Harris was able to bundle over.
As the hour mark ticked round, tensions were beginning to rise, but a quick fire double from the Londoners helped them assert their authority on the final. First Digby was able to crash over from close range, before a beautiful free flowing move saw Bodilly go in and out before rounding the fullback and scoring under the posts.
The Reds, did then respond quickly after they had created an overlap that allowed Woollett to stroll in on the left to make it a nine point game.
In a frantic final ten minutes, George Davis managed to muscle over to extend the hosts' lead but then Ryan Hutler hit back with another Jersey score. With the clock moving into the red, Woollett added his second after an incredible length of the field effort, but ultimately it wasn't enough as Ealing were deservedly crowned champions.
