Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club (ETRFC) took its 2012 home record to an impressive 11 wins and just two loses as they beat Cambridge 44-11 at Vallis Way.

The visiting fans from Cambridge turned up in force and were quick to admit that the clash with league leaders ETRFC was the biggest game of their season.

It didn’t start well for the side sitting at the foot of National League One as ETRFC’s pace in possession was swift and accurate, despite the horrendous condition of the pitch. It took the home side just three minutes to get their first points on the board, as Phil Chesters gracefully collected the ball on the wing with just grass to run into in front of him. Tom Wheatcroft added the extras to silence the away support early on.

Despite going behind, Cambridge were not looking like a side sitting at the wrong end of the table and after five minutes of countless pressure on the ETRFC defensive line, narrowed the deficit to 7-3 with a penalty.

Cambridge were then victims of their own downfall as a clearance by the defensive line was blocked and with the ball bobbling on the Cambridge line, Peter Hodgkinson reacted quickest as he extended the lead for the home side.

The green army were showing why they sit top of the league and boast such an impressive home record with their ability to break down opposition play and turn it into their own offensive counters. With fifteen minutes left in the first half, Phil Chesters scored his second and ETRFC’s third try of the day as the winger was again the beneficiary after another prompt attack.

Cambridge’s best spell in the game came just before half time as they piled pressure on the league leaders’ back line. A try before half time and a penalty at the start of the second half gave the visitors their voices back as they closed the lead to 21-11.

However, ETRFC were not going to ruin the Christmas party for their fans at Vallis Way, scoring another four tries to take an unassailable 47-11 lead. Tries from Morgan Thompson (2), Lee Starling and Sam Wardingley in the final half hour ensured ETRFC go into next week’s showcase clash with Rosslyn Park with their four point lead still intact.