Ealing Trailfinders came out on top after a hard-fought 17-26 victory over Cornish Pirates at the Mennaye Field on Friday evening (5 April 2024) and remain top of the Championship table.
Tries from Angus Kernohan and Bobby De Wee, along with four penalties from Craig Willis helped secure the win in challenging conditions in Penzance.
The result leaves Ealing Trailfinders nine points clear at the top of the Championship table.
Cornish Pirates came out of the blocks firing as Marlen Walker opened the scoring on the ten-minute mark. The Pirates pack mauled their way over the line and Walker was able to benefit from his side’s early dominance.
Craig Willis, who was unfazed by the conditions, struck a 40-metre penalty to get Trailfinders on the scoreboard. The hosts hit back moments later when Pirates’ captain John Stevens scored from a pick and go after multiple phases camped on the line.
The visitors knew they needed something with half time approaching. As an Ealing Trailfinders maul rolled towards the line, the referee raised his arm into the air to signal a penalty advantage. With the advantage to fall back on, Willis called for the ball and hit a crossfield kick to Angus Kernohan that went the width of the field. All the winger had to do was catch it and dot down, and that’s what he did!
Heading into the break, it was 12-10 in favour of Cornish Pirates.
If it wasn’t bad enough already, the weather then took a turn for the worst as the second 40 began, making it more important than ever to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Ealing Trailfinders took the lead for the first time in the contest with a penalty from Willis. He then extended his team’s lead to four points with another shot at goal.
The Cornish men responded when former Trailfinder Bruce Houston stabbed the ball through and Matt McNab won the foot race, sliding over in the mud to put them back in front. Two minutes later it was time for Willis to step up and kick his fourth penalty of the evening to nudge his side ahead once again.
To top off a brilliant performance by Willis, he hit a stunning 50 22 to put Trailfinders in a brilliant attacking position. Bobby De Wee muscled his way over from close range to score Trailfinders second try of the match. Willis maintained his 100 percent record from the tee to all but secure the win for the West Londoners.
The nail-biting clash in Cornwall finished Cornish Pirates 17 Ealing Trailfinders 26 with the visitors taking four points back to Ealing.
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