Author Archives: Paul Clarke

Last weekend the green and whites got over a sticky start to triumph 36-25 over Henley at Vallis Way, and now face another struggling side down on the South Coast.

Tries from Marcus Burcham, Phil Chesters (his 11th of the season), Dave Essien, BryanYoung and a penalty try, resulting from obstruction on Chesters, secured victory over the Hawks. Ealing go into the Worthing match in second place, nine points behind leaders Barking but with a game in hand.

Ealing director of rugby Mike Cudmore was delighted to regain that winning feeling, but was keen to keep feet on the ground ahead of Saturday’s trip.

He said: “Henley were on a bit of a resurgence, after two good wins, so I told the players that they could expect them to come out strongly and test us. We didn’t control the game as well as wanted in the first period, but it was a reasonably good win. However, we know we have to improve.

“I know a few of the guys at Worthing and know they are a very proud team. They will have targeted a win against us, therefore we must have no complacency.”
Kiba Richards missed the Henley game, but his knee injury should not keep the wing out for too long. “Kiba is going to have a scan, but it doesn’t look serious. I expect him to only be out for a few weeks,” added Cudmore.

Barnes v Lydney

14th placed Barnes take on 12th Lydney. Despite this , Barnes will take some heart from last weekends away win at rivals Richmond. A decisive home win.

Clifton v Barking

Match of the day? Unbeaten Barking travel down to Bristol. A hard game undoubtedly, but Barking to come away with a win, but can Clifton take something from it – Yes!

Henley Hawks v Bridgwater & Albion

As the Hawks showed last weekend at Vallis Way – They are better than their 13th place . Should be a comfortable home win.

Rosslyn Park v Shelford

Park should be too good for Cambridge based outfit Shelford, but can they get those much need bonus points? Park to get all 5 points on this occasion.

Southend v Dings Crusaders

Can Dings win on the road? Somehow I doubt it. Comfortable home win Westcombe Park v Canterbury – Almost a local derby! WP are not scoring many points , then again Canterbury have take a few batterings this season. A close game but going for league position. Canterbury to edge a close game.

Ealing Trailfinders got their promotion bid back on track after last week’s slip-up at Rosslyn Park.

Ealing 36-25 Henley
(HT: 13-15)
by Adrian Hill

Henley, languishing near the foot of the table, were quickest off the mark, through an early Wil Fulton penalty. However, Ealing equalised with a calmly-taken Ben Ward drop goal, but Fulton quickly restored the lead for Henley from the tee.

Ealing adopted their familiar open style, but lacked accuracy early on. Full-back Peter Hodgkinson provided the spark they needed with an astute kick, almost picked up by Phil Chesters. Centre Marcus Burcham followed up to score the first try.

Six minutes later, elusive running by Bryan Young put Ealing on the brink of the line. Ward’s cross-kick was claimed by Hodgkinson and Chesters was given a simple score, his 11th of the campaign.

Back came Henley, lock Oliver Atkinson plunging through a gaping hole in the defence close to the posts. Fulton converted and it was 15-13 at the break.
Ealing weathered early second half pressure before another well-judged Ward cross-kick was gathered by Chesters, the wing off-loaded for the supporting Essien to score.

Henley hit back with a Jack Hennings try, but Ealing’s response was immediate, Young strolling in at the corner for a bonus point try. Chesters was denied a probable second touchdown by a blatant obstruction, the ensuing penalty try secured victory. Henley skipper Matt Payne finished off the scoring with surge from a line-out. 

TEAMS

EALING: Hodgkinson, Young, Burcham, Price, Chesters, Ward, Gill, Charlton, Hodson, Alexopoulos , Gregory, Winterbottom, Essien, Wallace , Morris
Replacements: Kuwana , Neville, Davies, King, Anglim
HENLEY:Smith, Birtwistle, Baggett, James, Jones, Fulton, Xxxxxx, Fuller, Dalgleish, Hadfield, Atkinson, Green, Hennings, Stradwick, Payne M
>Replacements: Matthews, Penny, Payne T, Arron, Davies

Referee: Richard Parker-Sedgemore (Bristol)
Attendance:  200

 
SCORERS:
Ealing 36

Tries: Burcham 25, Chesters 31, Essien 51, Young 61, Penalty try 74
Conversions:  Ward 32, 52, 62, 75
Drop Goal: Ward 11

Henley 25

Tries: Atkinson 38, Hennings 57, Payne M 77
Conversions: Fulton 39, 58
Penalties: Fulton 9, 15

So what else happened away from Vallis Way at the weekend? 

Barking 32-0 Westcombe Park

Barking continued their unbeaten start to the season with this 4 try win over Coombe.

Bridgwater & Albion 10-30 Rosslyn Park

Park continue their recent good form and leapfrog Clifton into 3rd spot,grabbing their 4th try and all the points in the 75th minute.

Canterbury 29-44 Southend

Canterbury crumbled badly in the second half of this encounter, from being 24-17 up and the break, Southend ran 3 second half tries to take all the points at Merton Lane.

Dings Crusaders 26-10 Worthing

A welcome win for Dings, maybe not a surprise after holding Rosslyn Park to a 21 all draw.

Lydney 7-10 Clifton

A closer game than many would have suspected, with Clifton’s recent results. Indeed Clton had to hang on for this after leading 10-0 at half time.

Richmond 21-32 Barnes

Oh dear, after the 50 point demolition they got at Clifton. Richmond may have though this local derby would produce a much needed win! . How wrong can they be.They will be looking forward to a break from league action!