Ealing 54-6 Ampthill: Kernohan’s try is pick of the bunch for Trailfinders

EALING Trailfinders continued their perfect start to the new season with an eight-try victory over Ampthill.

Director of rugby Ben Ward said: “Ampthill were very physical but we managed to stand up to them and our defence was really good. We scored some great tries and can't wait to take on Coventry next week.”

Ealing started with intensity and scored their first try after five minutes, captain Rayn Smid bundling over the line to mark his 100th appearance with a try.

Continued pressure paid off just before the 30 minute mark with the Trailfinders crossing for a second try. A maul, which included half of the back line, was too powerful as it thundered over. Shaun Malton was at the base of it to score.

Russell Bennett got Ampthill on the scoreboard with a penalty in front of the posts but Luke Daniels then gathered a high ball on halfway and released Irish wing Angus Kernohan who danced his way past the last two defenders from 35 metres out before acrobatically finishing.

Ealing kept coming and Kernohan and David Johnston then broke through from inside their own half and released Guy Thompson who carried deep in to the 22. The ball was spun wide to Smid who offloaded audaciously inside to Lewis Thiede who dived over from close range.

Fraser Strachan went over for try number five as Ward's side continued to impress. A penalty was quick tapped and Strachan carried over from just inches out.

James Cordy Redden's acrobatic gather in the air set up the next try for Jordan Burns and Smid scored his second with five minutes remaining. He had to juggle the ball and showed impressive balance to stay up, but then strolled in for another score.

Will Davis then made it the perfect day with the final play of the match to bring up the half century on his 100th appearance.

A scrum deep in the 22 gave them the platform, and then the loosehead powered over to seal the win.

Ampthill DoR Mark Lavery said: “For periods of the first half we showed we can compete with the very best in this level. However, we demonstrated naivety by forcing plays and some poor decision-making was capitalised upon.”