Ealing Trailfinders emerged victorious on Saturday (7 September 2024) at The Rec in a second pre-season victory on the bounce.
Tries from Tobi Wilson, captain Lloyd Williams, Simon Uzokwe, David Douglas-Bridge and Ollie Newman helped earn the Trailfinders a famous win against the Premiership side.
Bath started the stronger of the two sides, and a penalty kick to the corner resulted in a powerful driving lineout from the hosts. Trailfinders repelled it well, and a knock-on turned possession back over.
However, after conceding another penalty shortly after, Bath came back downfield and got over the whitewash from number eight Jaco Coetzee.
The play turned slightly scrappy, with both sides fighting for possession; however, neither got an extended period of momentum with the ball in hand.
That was until the try scorer, Coetzee, managed to break through multiple tacklers and bring his side close. The fast speed of the ball allowed Tom de Glanville to finish with ease.
With two tries on the board for the hosts early on, a kicking battle ensued, with Trailfinders attempting to find some territory.
After earning a penalty, Trailfinders entered the red zone for the first time in the game. They kept calm under pressure, and eventually, Wilson dove over for the try.
A good touch finder from Orlando Bailey put Trailfinders back under pressure in their own half; however, they cleared well and earned a penalty as the Bath player rolled on the floor.
Dan Jones pumped the ball back downfield for another opportunity. Trailfinders profited as captain Williams sniped down the blindside and ran the ball in for their second score.
With just a minute left on the clock for the first half and a penalty awarded to Trailfinders, Jones opted to go for the posts and entered the sheds with a one-point lead.
Half-Time- Bath 14-15 Ealing Trailfinders
The second half got back underway, and Bath were awarded an early penalty for Trailfinders holding onto the ball on the floor.
Bailey only kicked it as far as the 22-metre line, but a robust initial carry for Joe Cockanasiga got Bath onto the front foot and, eventually, Coetzee went over again.
However, poor discipline from Bath gave Trailfinders another opportunity, and a trick play at the lineout got them close, and another penalty was awarded. This time, they capitalised, and Uzokwe crashed over for the try.
Terry then won a brilliant turnover penalty, which allowed Trailfinders to enter dangerous territory. Willis pulled the strings, and they got close to the line until Bath conceded another penalty.
Trailfinders looked to have lost it forward, but it came back for yet another advantage. Eventually, they went over from Douglas-Bridge and extended their lead to eight points.
Trailfinders were clearly in charge of the game, and they were happy to allow Bath possession of the ball with some great defensive shots.
With a scrum penalty inside Bath’s 22, Trailfinders rolled the dice and went for the corner rather than take the three points. It proved unsuccessful as Bath won back possession but showed clear intent from the men in green and white.
Cockansiga was sent to the bin for the game’s final minutes for a deliberate knock-on inside their own 22′, which proved costly as Trailfinders scored again through Newman.
Bath tried to fight back and were on the hunt, as they worked back down into Trailfinders’ danger zone.
However, even though they got the try from Kepu Tuipulotu, time was up on the clock, and Trailfinders had earned a famous win against the Premiership finalists.
Full-time- Bath 28-36 Ealing Trailfinders
Ealing Trailfinders:
Tries- Wilson 25, Williams 32, Uzokwe 49, Bridge 60, Terry 73
Conversions- Jones 33, Willis 50, 61, 74
Penalties Jones 40
Bath:
Tries- Coetzee 8, 42, De Glanville 15,
Conversions- Bailey 9, 16, 43, 81
Yellow Card- Cockansiga 72
 at The Rec in a second pre-season victory on the bounce.){kind=link}