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Match Report - Ealing Trailfinders 41 Chinnor 5
John Vaughan13 May - 11:26
Battling display at League leaders as Ealing show their Champion class
Chinnor faced the tough challenge of taking on reigning Champions and runaway leaders Ealing Trailfinders on a warm on sunny afternoon. The visitors put up a real fight and enjoyed large periods of territory and possession but were unable to turn these into well-deserved points. On 65 minutes Chinnor laid siege to Ealing’s line and came agonisingly close on several occasions to scoring. The home team were under intense pressure and their continued infringements saw them reduced to 13 men. After taking a quick penalty Cam Rafferty went close and when the ball was recycled a 3 on 1 beckoned inches from the line, unfortunately the one was a suspiciously offside Craig Hampson who intercepted. The stalwart replacement scrum half showed surprising pace for his age and manage to run the 100 metres without being caught. What should have been 27-12 was now 34-5.
Ealing were a constant threat from deep especially from turnover ball when their outside backs could show real pace and skill. On 5 minutes Moore opened Ealing’s account after a break from deep was finished off after some excellent interplay. Chinnor immediately hit back after some excellent work from Carter gave them a penalty which was kicked to the corner . An excellent catch an drive was finished off by Chris Moore. 5-5.
Ealing were looking dangerous and Chinnor’s defence was superb until after a 5-metre lineout finally rumbled over. 12-5. Chinnor would have been happy with the half until a Collins break led to Strange scoring, 17-5 at half time.
The next score was crucial and both teams had their chances as Chinnor continued to probe a resilient Ealing defence. Hampson came on as substitute and upped the tempo of the home team , including an excellent 50/22. This gave Ealing the foundation to score the crucial try as Chinnor’s valiant defence ran out of numbers and the dangerous Bird Tulloch cantered over, quickly followed by a Holgate try when Chinnor were reduced to 14 men.
This was followed by a long period of Chinnor dominance but try as they might they couldn’t match Ealing’s clinical ability to make the most of their redzone chances. The final scoreline didn’t do justice to Chinnor’s efforts in really taking the fight to the League leaders but was a good lesson in the efficiency needed to prosper in the Championship.
Chinnor- Smith, Hughes, Bourton, Passman, Goss, Chamberlain, Carter, Hall, Clemenston, Dugmore, Ryan©, Atuanya, Hardwick, Moore, Onasanya
Replacements- Walker, Lines, Doak, Green, North, Rafferty, Slevin, Watson
Man of the Match - Carter
Ealing were a constant threat from deep especially from turnover ball when their outside backs could show real pace and skill. On 5 minutes Moore opened Ealing’s account after a break from deep was finished off after some excellent interplay. Chinnor immediately hit back after some excellent work from Carter gave them a penalty which was kicked to the corner . An excellent catch an drive was finished off by Chris Moore. 5-5.
Ealing were looking dangerous and Chinnor’s defence was superb until after a 5-metre lineout finally rumbled over. 12-5. Chinnor would have been happy with the half until a Collins break led to Strange scoring, 17-5 at half time.
The next score was crucial and both teams had their chances as Chinnor continued to probe a resilient Ealing defence. Hampson came on as substitute and upped the tempo of the home team , including an excellent 50/22. This gave Ealing the foundation to score the crucial try as Chinnor’s valiant defence ran out of numbers and the dangerous Bird Tulloch cantered over, quickly followed by a Holgate try when Chinnor were reduced to 14 men.
This was followed by a long period of Chinnor dominance but try as they might they couldn’t match Ealing’s clinical ability to make the most of their redzone chances. The final scoreline didn’t do justice to Chinnor’s efforts in really taking the fight to the League leaders but was a good lesson in the efficiency needed to prosper in the Championship.
Chinnor- Smith, Hughes, Bourton, Passman, Goss, Chamberlain, Carter, Hall, Clemenston, Dugmore, Ryan©, Atuanya, Hardwick, Moore, Onasanya
Replacements- Walker, Lines, Doak, Green, North, Rafferty, Slevin, Watson
Man of the Match - Carter
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