Ealing Trailfinders extended their stay at the top of the National League One table as they ran home nine tries at home to their rivals from across Kew Bridge, Richmond, writes Sean Davies.

Phil Chesters and Alex Walker each scored hat-tricks while Ben Ward kicked six conversions as the home side dispatched the travelling opposition 63-36.

The Trailfinders looked up for this clash after defeat last week and Chesters opened the scoring early on with a simple try that Ward converted.

Chesters grabbed his second in the ninth minute when he was set free on the left-wing by Will Harries.

Richmond responded well and got themselves on the score sheet through Jordan Burns who outpaced the cover defence to score in the corner.

The home side began to dominate and tries from Luke Daniels and Alex Walker extended their lead and secured the bonus point.

The scoring continued apace as the first half drew on.

First, Richmond flanker Jamie Thompson flopped on a spilled ball after the visitors had opted to drive a lineout, but from the restart Chesters caught the kickoff to secure his hat-trick.

Tom Shaw scored for the away side in similar fashion, but again Ealing Trailfinders scored from kick-off as Gary Johnson caught the restart and held off two tacklers to crash over the line.

The second half started with the same pace and Tom Wheatcroft kept the scoring rate high when he wiggled over the line with only three minutes gone. Luke Daniels took over the kicking duties and made no mistake with his first attempt.

Walker scored his second after Will Davis had broken the Richmond defence with a clever line. He then wrapped up his hat-trick when he raced off the back of the scrum.

The visitors stiffened their resolve and Matt Keville rounded off a flowing move in the corner to secure the bonus point.

Richmond improved vastly after this score and Burns grabbed his second when he reacted first to the ball popping out of a scrum.

Former Ealing Trailfinder Rory Damant completed the scoring after a remarkable 80 minutes of rugby.

This Saturday the Trailfinders will travel to Macclesfield to continue their hunt for the League One trophy.