PHIL CHESTERS bagged a brace of tries as Ealing Trailfinders came from behind to win their league opener at Richmond on Saturday.

The winger scored in each half, his second being among 22 unanswered points after the interval.

The visitors opened brightly, Peter Hodgkinson kicking a penalty, but Richmond struck back when Luke Cousins pounced on a loose ball to claim the game's first try, converted by Matt Hart. However, Chesters had his side back in front within three minutes, finishing off a scrum move and Hodgkinson converted for 10-7.

Stung into action, the Richmond pack roared back, forcing a series of drives and mauls which led to a yellow card for Ealing second-row Ryan Gregory, and the hosts made the advantage tell. Joe Brown scored following good combination play with Cousins, and the extras plus a penalty meant it was 17-10 to Richmond at half-time.

But the second half was one-way traffic as Ealing drew level by the hour mark and then stretched clear. Richmond lost the ball trying to run out of defence and Hodgkinson pounced for a simple try, which he converted himself. Another dropped ball was then hacked on and Chesters collected a favourable bounce to scamper 50 metres to score his second. Captain Jay King added the fourth try as Ealing punished further errors, putting them in good heart for tomorrow's (Saturday's) home game with Lydney.