Ealing Trailfinders 23-39 Bedford Blues

Defeat was snatched from the jaws of victory in the final minutes at Vallis Way as Ealing crashed to a heart-breaking defeat to Bedford Blues.

They looked to be in pole position for a rare win when Billy Robinson crashed over the try line with minutes to go, but he was held up by some valiant Bedford defence.

And they were left without even a bonus-point when Bedford took advantage of tired Ealing legs to run in two late tries.

Ealing found themselves a man down in the opening minutes when Stephen Pape was yellow carded for a high tackle on James Pritchard as he broke down the wing.

Bedford took immediate advantage, kicking the resulting penalty to touch and pressuring the Ealing line. Phil Boulton was stopped just short, but the ball was worked out left to Nick Fenton-Wells who crashed over close in.

They extended their lead though four minutes later when a rolling maul opened up gaps in the Ealing defence and Gregor Gillanders raced in near the posts, Pritchard this time converting.

Ealing hit right back though when Ben Ward chipped the ball out wide to Phil Chesters who raced through and touched down in the corner.

Then the ball was worked out to TJ Anderson, following an Ealing lineout close in, and he brushed off the attention of three Bedford defenders to get the try. Ward converted to level the scores.

The Blues were reduced to fourteen when Harry Wells saw yellow for an offence at the breakdown and Ealing profited from the resulting penalty which was kicked into the Bedford corner.

The play eventually ended up with Ward on the left, who again chipped through for Chesters to score in the corner.

Bedford went into the break with a one-point advantage though after two penalties from Pritchard gave the visitors a narrow 17-18 lead.

Ealing restored their lead early on in the second-half when Ward converted in front of the posts when Bedford were penalised for a body-check.

They then found themselves trapped in their own half for the best part of 20 minutes though as Bedford took advantage of an increasing wind. Pat Tapley finally broke through the centre of the Ealing defence after 62 minutes and Pritchard converted to put the Blues back in front.

Ealing narrowed the gap to two points when Ward converted a penalty and they almost regained the lead when Adam Preocanin broke through and set up Robinson, but he was held up after forcing his way over the line.

To make matters worse, Bedford sensed the Ealing defence were spent and two late tries for Mark Atkinson snatched away any chance of a point.

Ealing Trailfinders: Henderson, Kinloch, Mclean-Dents, Wheatcroft, Chesters, Ward, Thompson; Storer, Crumpton, Carey, Pape, Curry, Preocanin, Siggery, Anderson. Replacements: Townsend, Neville, Brockett, Collier, Bradley, Parker, Robinson.