SSE National League One: Ealing Trailfinders 78 Wharfedale 12

AFTER a rather protracted journey on various trains, Wharfedale made a good start and had the better of the early exchanges, pushing leaders Ealing back into their 22.

However, an attacking line-out was lost and Ealing soon had their first score when Luke Daniels burst through a gap to touch down, Ben Ward adding the conversion.

Ealing dominated possession and territory for the next 20 minutes in which time they scored four more tries and, with Ward slotting three kicks, it took the score to 33-0.

The tries were a combination of strong back play and organised forward play, with the scores going to Arthur Ellis (2), Phil Chesters and Daniels.

Dale's best period of the game followed, and Dan Solomi ran in a trademark try from outside the Ealing 22, Jack Barnard scoring Dale's second just before half-time, James Guy converting the second try.

But in between the Wharfedale scores, Ealing added a sixth try, completing a hat-trick for full back Daniels, Ward's conversion taking the interval score to 40-12.

Any hope of a second-half recovery were soon ended two yellow cards after six and seven minutes.

The first, for foul play, was given to Adam Howard, and Barnard soon followed for a technical offence.

Ealing went on to score another six tries in the second half.

Tom Brown, Chesters, Alex Walker (2), Alex Bradley and Anders Nilsson were the scorers, with Ward converting three to make the final score 78-12.

Dale journeyed home bruised and battered but the faithful who had made the trip to the capital were full of praise for the way the Greens stuck to their task and never let their heads drop.