EALING TRAILFINDERS 28 CINDERFORD 17
BATTLING Cinderford's stubborn defence shocked runaway league leaders Ealing for at least an hour of this rain-sodden clash.
But not even their two smart first-half tries were enough to stop the hosts sealing the National League One title.
The Trailfinders only needed one point to wrap up promotion in West London.
In the end their superior tight-five work and their impressive tactical kicking guided them to victory.
Cinderford made sure Ealing never had anything their own way though.
And for that Andy Deacon's men must be proud of themselves – especially after their woeful home Sedgley Park defeat last weekend.
Tries from captain Jack Adams and openside flanker Will Foden, and a penalty from Mark Davies, butted Cinderford into a 17-14 half-time lead.
Adams just had the legs to make it over the line after a clever intercept in his own 22.
And Foden ploughed home after three tight drives as the Foresters sustained their impressive start.
Ronnie McLean claimed a vital score for the hosts before the break, to add to a Ben Ward drop-goal and a penalty from centre Tom Wheatcroft.
Outside centre McLean's smart cutback line outfoxed the Cinderford defence, that had worked so hard for the duration of the half, to register a vital riposte for Ealing.
After the break Cinderford could not recreate their territorial foothold.
And flanker Foden's yellow card proved pivotal.
Number eight Matt Evans crossed for a try after a catch and drive while Foden was in the bin, to add to Wheatcroft's early penalty.
That score stole Ealing the lead, and after that, the potent hosts turned the screw.
Cinderford's replacement wing Chris Hawkins slipped and knocked on just outside the 22 trying to field yet another clever tactical line kick from the Trailfinders.
From the scrum Ealing blasted the Foresters backwards, and wing Andrew Henderson flew home to seal the tie – and the title.
After such a physical, regimented and heart-filled battle, Cinderford seemed shattered to lose.
But after such a huge dip in last week's 31-23 Dockham Road defeat to relegation battlers Sedgley Park, this performance was a huge step across a chasm of hurt.
As the tickertape trophy presentation sent the home charges and crowd into delirium, Cinderford watched on in frustration.
The Foresters' dejection was clear – but they restored pride in spades, and must keep heads high.
EALING: Tries: McLean (35), Evans (48), Henderson (76). Cons: Wheatcroft 2 (35, 48). Pens: Wheatcroft (11). Drop-goals: Ward (6).
CINDERFORD: Tries: Adams (13), Foden (24). Cons: Davies 2 (13, 24). Pens: Davies (40).
YELLOW CARDS:
CINDERFORD: Foden (47).
EALING: P Hodgkinson, W Bruynseels, R McLean, T Wheatcroft, A Henderson, B Ward (capt), M Thompson, T Tunnicliff (S Neville, 60), J Moyce (S Wardingley, 78), T Brockett, A Preocanin, S Pape (G Curry, 70), A Nilsson, S Shires, M Evans.
CINDERFORD: M Wilcox, N Codlin, J Adams, D Scourfield, L Stapleton (C Hawkins, 73), M Davies, A Frame, C Bundy (J Smart, 73), T Bozzard (S Bailey, 60), N Selway, B West, D Critchley, L Allen, W Foden (capt), G Evans.
↧