Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club (ETRFC) clinched a dramatic victory over Old Albanians to maintain their thirteen-point lead in National League One.

Old Albanians led 29-27 with less than five minutes remaining, but could not hold on to complete the double over the league leaders.

ETRFC started brightly but were hit on the break as Matt Chambers  mazy run exposed the away sides defensive line. Richard Greggs converted the extras, giving Old Albanians a promising start.

ETRFC responded in typical fashion as a series of crisp, direct passes saw the ball find its way to Owen Bruynseels, who bundled the ball over the line in the corner. The conversion was missed and ETRFC soon found themselves further behind as Ollie Marchon capitalized on a loose pass from the away side to accelerate untouched to the try-line to make it 14-5.

The ETRFC scrum was proving to be their most potent weapon as they gallantly attempted to reduce the deficit. As the league leaders grew into the game, two quick tries from Thomas Parker and Tim Brockett gave they away side a 14-15 lead with the interval fast approaching. 

However, the visitors were unable to hold onto their lead as a Gregg penalty sent Old Albanians into the break 17-15 up.

After the break, poor defending saw Old Albanians extend their lead when scrum-half Stefan Liebenbergs quick penalty tap was converted by Richard Greggs.

ETRFC showed their resilient qualities when Phil Chesters scored from a well maneuvered first phase move, before Bruynseels raced over for his second score of the game to give ETRFC a 24-27 lead. However, the lead didnt last long as Marchon crossed for his second try of the game to restore Old Albanians lead to 29-27 in an end-to-end affair.

ETRFC managed to fight off an unrelenting passage of Old Albanian attacks before scoring the winning try courtesy of a superb counter-attacking move. An outstanding break from Andrew Henderson took the ball into Albanians 22 before Bruynseels one-handed off-load was gathered by Parker who raced over to score the crucial match-winning try.

ETRFC travel to Fylde next weekend before hosting second-placed Blaydon at Vallis Way.