Trailfinders return to the top four after 71–7 Hartpury win

Ealing Trailfinders beat Hartpury 71–7 in Sunday’s fourth-round Elior Champ Rugby match at Trailfinders Sports Club. The home side scored eleven tries, led 38–7 at half-time and returned to the top four of the table with a commanding victory.

Taking control early

Hartpury began on the attack and briefly had a numerical advantage after Deago Bailey was shown a yellow card. Trailfinders soon moved play towards the visitors’ try line. Captain Mike Willemse scored the opening try from a lineout and driving maul. Jake Morris then took an inside pass from Craig Hampson and extended the hosts’ lead.

Will Montgomery added the next try before Willemse crossed for his second. Morris also completed a first-half double after a move involving Louie Johnson and Hampson. Francis Moore scored Ealing’s sixth try of the half when quick handling from Hampson and Rory Scannell created space for the outside centre.

Hartpury replied before the interval through Robbie Smith, with Harry Bazalgette adding the conversion. Those were the visitors’ only points of the match. Trailfinders went into half-time with a 38–7 advantage.

Five more tries after the break

Trailfinders maintained the pressure in the second half. Toby Cousins scored the seventh try in the corner, before Moore finished another attacking move after Johnson made an interception. Replacement Kyle Hatherell then powered over from close range for try number nine.

The closing stages belonged to Hayden Hyde. He crossed twice, first in the right corner and then beneath the posts, completing an eleven-try performance. Johnson and Scannell supplied the conversions, while the Ealing defence prevented Hartpury from adding any second-half points.

Moore was named Player of the Match. In addition to scoring twice, he was involved in several attacks that allowed the home side to move the ball quickly across the pitch.

What comes next

The club’s official fixture list shows that Trailfinders’ next league assignment is away to Blackheath on Saturday 17 October at 3pm. After the emphatic win over Hartpury and a return to the top four, that match will provide an opportunity to carry the same form into an away fixture.

The result also gives Ealing an immediate response after the narrow 35–33 defeat at Cornish Pirates in the previous round. The margin was very different this time: Trailfinders combined set-piece control, wide attacking moves and a second-half shutout to secure their first home league victory of October.