Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club extended their unbeaten start to the season to four games with a comfortable 56-24 win against Tynedale.

Just as they did last week at Macclesfield, ETRFC demonstrated unplayable fitness levels, with their opponents struggling to keep up with the hosts’ pace in the second half.

On a beautiful afternoon, it took the home side just seven minutes to break through the Tynedale defence, with Phil Chesters capitalising on acres of space on the wing to run the ball home. ETRFC couldn’t add the extras on what was a difficult conversion.

Three minutes later there was a sense of déjà-vu in the air as great work from Peter Hodgkinson left Phil Chesters clear to make the most of the space on the wing to extend ETRFC’s lead to 10-0. The move resulted in an injury and while being a player down Tynedale hit back to leave the score at 10-7.

Midway through the first half and it was becoming the Phil Chesters show as the winger scored his third try of the afternoon. It was third time lucky for Tom Wheatcroft as he kicked home the extras, extending ETRFC’s lead to 17-7. Two minutes later, it was Wheatcroft’s boot making a difference to the scoreboard again as he successfully converted a penalty for the hosts.

ETRFC were dominant but that was not being shown on the scoreboard as Tynedale hit back with a penalty and a try on the break to leave the score at an unflattering 20-17.

As the half time whistle loomed, ETRFC made their late pressure play dividend as an Owen Bruynseels try guaranteed that ETRFC would go into the break with a healthier advantage at 27-17.

Nonetheless, while the players were clapped off, fans around the ground knew that the hosts should have bossed more than just a ten point lead at the break.

The Tynedale players were evidently exhausted and a much fitter ETRFC took full advantage of their superiority in the second half, running through the Tynedale team to slam home another five tries.

Tries from Sam Shires, Anders Nilsson, Tim Brockett and a fantastic solo run from man of the match Ronnie Mclean pushed ETRFC into a commanding 51-17 lead with fifteen minutes to go.

A tired Tynedale did manage to prevent ETRFC from another shut out half as the visitors broke through the ETRFC defence to close the gap to 51-24.

Pushed on by the willing home support, ETRFC ensured they gave their fans more to celebrate as Owen Bruynseels scored his second of the afternoon with just seconds remaining to leave the final score at 56-24.

Mike Cudmore, Director of Rugby at ETRFC said: “We did some things very well but were too loose at times and will be looking at this in training this week.  In the end a good five point home win against a side sitting in third when they arrived today.”

ETRFC have now won their opening four matches and sit top of the league. Next weekend Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club travel to Richmond for their second derby of the season.