Ealing Trailfinders faced their first defeat of this year’s Championship season in a one-point loss to Doncaster Knights at home on Saturday (5 October 2024).
Tries from Rayn Smid, Jordan Holgate, Francis Moore and Matt Cornish, as well as 15 points from the boot of Dan Jones, just weren’t enough to clinch the win.
It was a breathless start to the game, with both sides getting tries on the board within the opening five minutes.
The visitors struck first as back-row Rhys Tait broke through a weak tackle and dove over for the opening score.
Trailfinders responded immediately through a try of their own courtesy of captain Rayn Smid.
Doncaster were clearly keen to build a score, taking the opportunity to take the three points with Alex Dolly slotting the after winning a scrum penalty and again a few minutes later.
It was a tale of ill-discipline for both sides in the first half for both sides as Doncaster allowed Trailfinders multiple entries into the 22, the first of which led to an east walk in for Jordan Holgate.
It was a try fest as Doncaster responded immediately through fullback Jordan Olowofela, who made a clean break and got his first.
Trailfinders earned a scrum penalty on the halfway line, and instead of kicking deep, Jones caught the Doncaster defence unaware with the quick tap, opening up space for Francis Moore to score.
After another three points from Dolly, Trailfinders got another try from a Matt Cornish classic off the back of a rolling maul.
As if that wasn’t enough for one half of rugby Olowofela scored just before the half-time whistle from a kick in behind to take his side two points up at the break.
Half-Time- Ealing Trailfinders 26-28 Doncaster Knights
After the seven tries of the opening 40, both sides came out for the second period with a much more conservative game plan.
Dan Jones and Dolly traded penalty kicks to keep edging the scoreboard in their side’s favour until Olowofela made another clean break to score his third and complete the hat-trick.
Just a point behind and ten minutes left on the clock, Trailfinders threw everything at it, with possession right on the try line in the final play.
However, a heartbreaking knock-on meant Tom Foley blew his whistle, and Trailfinders fell short by one point and concede our first loss of the season.
Full-Time- Ealing Trailfinders 35-36 Doncaster Knights
Ealing Trailfinders:
Tries- Smid 3, Holgate 20, Moore 27, Cornish 38
Penalties- Jones 43, 61, 66
Conversions- Jones 4, 21, 28
Doncaster Knights:
Tries- Tait 2, Olowofela 22, 40, 71
Penalties- Dolly 8, 14, 58
Conversions- Dolly 3, 23, 35
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