Ealing Trailfinders 15-24 Cross Keys
A stirring second half fighback gave Ealing Trailfinders a boost as they pushed visitors Cross Keys in their first ever British & Irish cup tie at Vallis Way.
The Geen & Whites, boosted by the return of Owen Bruynseels for his first outing of the season, gave themselves a mountain to climb with a poor opening 20 minutes in which they shipped three tries to Dan Hodge, Tom Lampard and Ieuan Jones,
But theyhit back before half-time with a try through Andrew Henderson and won the try count in the second half to pep up morale in the wake of an injury-ravaged build-up.
The pack worked the phases and when captain for the day Ben Ward moved the ball wide, Ronnie McLean played in full-back Henderson for the home side's first try.
A Lampard try at the start of the second half quashed any thoughts of a serious comeback, but Ealing raised their game.
Wing Billy Robinson and substitute Phil Chesters (pictured) asked questions of the opposition defence on the counter-attack, while Ed Siggery and impressive debutant Jack Pattinson put the Cross Keys defence under pressure with some forceful charges.
The home side's endeavours eventually bore fruit when Ward popped a pass into Robinson’s hand and the wing raced away to dive over in the corner.
Soon after, no8 Sam Hocking closed the deficit to nine points and gave the team a sniff of a bonus point, but the Welshmen resisted as Ealing threw the kitchen sink in the final minutes.
The result leaves Ealing still searching for a first win of the season and no wins from their opening two pool games in this competition. But the spirit shown promises better days.
