U14s vs Ealing

A trip to Ealing today was no comedy despite the presence of the Blue Brothers. The pitch was excellent and beautifully described by the Duchess as a “lovely lawn”
Andy Crocker surprised us all by not being at the club half an hour before the rest of us. The Clarks arrived 1st Mr Clark having got up at 4.40 to ensure an early arrival by all accounts
Redingensians turned up with 23 players including 2 who were kindly released from a school Remembrance Ceremony
Kick off was at 10.30 the 1st half staying in the centre of the pitch with neither side giving way, the referee very keen with his whistle and penalising all and Sundry for some unseen misdemeanours. When finally allowed to pass the ball Ensians played into the Ealing end and then won the 1st lineout against the throw, Hutterli, scooping the ball as in training sadly the ball was lost to u, deemed “Not Straight”. A scrum down against a very strong Ealing pack was lost and after tight defence by both forwards and backs and several more penalties by the referee the forwards inched their way towards the 10 metre mark Zac Pearce being knocked offside, a difficult penalty kick was missed. The game resumed and after a other scrum and a run by Clark Ensians were awarded another penalty from just inside the 22 Boyd just missing the posts. Ealing then fought back and got close to the Ensians try line after even more defensive play and rips by Espley the end of the 1st half arrived.
At 11 o’clock the two minute silence was held with only the sound of blackbirds and the occasional tennis ball hitting the ground was heard.
The second half started with Ealing putting on several of their A team and building up their forwards. Another closely fought game followed with George getting the ball and running to the try line kicking to Spong who could not finish. Ealings ball again & good defensive play saw Spong chasing down the ball and with Canhams double tackle. A busy period of play with Espley, Cook and George heading towards the line. Ealing defence causing a futher line out which they won with the ball heading straight towards the Ensians line passing though 3 players (one pass slightly forward ) to score the try was then converted with 12 mins to play.
Ealing continuedrunning with the ball at ‘Emnsians however excellent tackles by Stubbs& many others kept them at bay. Ealing continued a further tackle by Canham resulted in the ball flying through the air straight towards Cook and a 15 metre dash to the line. George then contemplated the posts for several seconds and converted. Minutes left Ealing on the defence game over and a draw well done all
Back of the day Alex Canham Forward Calum Large

Photo’s Courtesy of Rob Hood