Rampaging Ealing get in mood to party hard

■By MO SHER

Ealing Trailfinders …….. 55pts

Tries: Montgomery 7, Dykes 13, 25; Reid 33, Moore 52, 63; Bezuidenhout 55, Cornish 59, 70

Conversions: Jones 8, 26, 34, 53, 56

Coventry ……………………… 38pts

Tries: Poole 11, Nayalo 27, Penalty 40, Mathews 44, Ma’asi 72, 77

Conversions: Mathews 28, 73, 78

Champions: Angus Kernohan and Ollie Newman lift the trophy

PICTURE: Claire Jeffrey

WHEN you win backto-back titles, you have a duty to sign off in style – and Ealing certainly did that in their final home game of the season, racking up nine tries.

You could sense the celebratory vibe around Vallis Way before kick-off – an open-shirted Dewi Morris offering up his views in front of the Sky cameras just one giveaway – and from the minute Will Montgomery crashed over from close quarters, you knew what was coming.

Now, a notable mention must be given to Coventry’s efforts. Scoring 38 points away from home will normally get you more than just a try bonus-point and they did their best to strong-arm the champions, especially in a combative opening 40 minutes.

Two sumptuous finishes from the elegant Michael Dykes showcased Ealing’s strengths with ball in hand, Dan Jones in the playmaker role able to find gaps almost at will.

The ever-industrious Jordan Reid was also in on the act from a slick driving maul, although the visitors – yes, with clear defensive frailties – had plenty going the other way.

Senitiki Nayalo’s basketball-style offload allowed the busy Jordan Poole to scurry across the line for their opener, before the Fijian got in on the act himself, barrelling over from five metres. And, right on the stroke of half-time, they had a third via a penalty try – Montgomery seeing yellow for his part in the Ealing indiscretions.

When Tom Mathews wriggled over minutes after the restart, it was suddenly a two-point game and if it were any other side apart from the Londoners, the momentum might have carried Coventry through.

It wasn’t to be though, as Ben Ward’s men decided enough was enough. Francis Moore and Matt Cornish both picked up a brace apiece, as did Frans Bezuidenhout.

With the game turning into something resembling a Barbarians tie, Coventry brought into the mood music too. In particular, Suva Ma’asi showed up well off the bench to claim two scores of his own, both born from effective set-piece routines.

But the day, like the season, was Ealing’s – the ever-driven, relentless, Ward delighted to have picked up yet more silverware.

“We wanted to be right at it today with it being the last home game of the season and while it was a bit too open at times for our liking, there was plenty to smile about,” he said.

“Throughout the year we’ve faced all challenges the same way, today was no different – Coventry are a good side, and they threw lots at us. We’ll enjoy tonight, we’ve earned it.’