Trailfinders open up in style to sink Richmond

By TIM FORRESTER

@therugbypape

Richmond ………12pts

Tries: Cardew 22, Nugent 75 Conversion: Grieve 76

E Trailfinders . 43pts

Tries: Campbell 2, Bailey 10, Cornish 29, 36; Reid 34, Buckley 53, Kernohan 67

Conversions: Scannell 3, 30, 37, 54

EALING Trailfinders maintained top place in the Champ table with a convincing win over Richmond at a packed Athletic Ground on Friday night.

The hosts were well beaten but will take some satisfaction from their second-half performance, pulling back from a 5-31 deficit.

Trailfinders director of rugby Ben Ward said: “I thought our performance was thoroughly professional. Physically, we were a step ahead as you expect from a fully professional outfit. To be fair to Richmond, they kept coming at us and they built some pressure on us. Our win was a good statement for the rest of the year.”

Ealing were quick off the blocks, setting up territory with some testing kicking, before moving the ball wide. Winger Deago Bailey scorched away before passing inside to Patrick Campbell for a debut try.

The next try was created by a deft grubber kick which bounced horribly towards the corner and over the try line. Bailey claimed the touch down. Despite the setbacks, Richmond soon countered. From a five metre line out, the pack barraged the line before Jared Cardew found space to run clear.

With their lead cut to seven points, Ealing took control with three more first half tries. The first two involved precision kicks to the corner by Scannell setting up first Matt Cornish and then Jordy Reid. Cornish was again at the back for the fifth try, similar in style but this time from ten metres.

With Trailfinders armed with a very strong bench, Richmond faced a tough second half, not helped by an early yellow card for Chris Freeman. Scannell turned the screw with another immaculate line kick to the corner and this time Scott Buckley was the scorer.

Angus Kernohan got Trailfinders’ final try, getting a free run wide out after a long period of pressure.

However, Richmond dug deep and now pinned Ealing back. Luc Jones set up Paddy Case on a touchline break. When he was hauled down, George Nugent took a good line to power over. The crowd roared for a third try but it was not to be.

Richmond’s head coach Rob Powell said: “Ealing are a very good team. We know that. We don’t want to be plucky losers. I thought we played the second half really well.

“It wasn’t just endeavour. We played some good stuff and probably could and should have scored more tries. They’re a top team and set a benchmark for us.”