Greene King IPA Championship
Ealing Trailfinders 17-37 London Scottish
Ealing coach Ben Ward said it would be tough against one of the league's top four sides last term - and so it proved to be.
The brick wall that was Scottish defence frustrated Ward all afternoon - and the worrying thing is it's now nought out of two on the club's return to the Championship.
Defeat last week to Rotherham was by a mere point, this was a lot more emphatic. This was a five-try defeat and nothing seemed to go right for Ward's troops after an initial decent spell.
Iain Grieve and Will Harries scored two first-half tries to stay in contention, and Alex Walker scored late on, but the Exiles showed the strength and experience that earned them a play-off place last season
Tristan Roberts pulled an early penalty wide and Grieve was pulled up as he crossed the line after a forward pass from Matt Thompson.
Scottish saw the danger and touched down, but Grieve inched his side into the lead as he latched on at the end of a rolling maul.
The Exiles upped the gears for a try a penalty, but Harries rekindled home hope as he showed great strength to hold off three defenders to score in the corner.
The west London rivals had the last word in the half for a try, conversion and 10-point lead at the break.
Then it was all uphill for Trailfinders.
Scottish piled up the scores, although Phil Chesters nearly nearly opened his account, but was stopped close to the line.
Alex Walker took up the cause when he spied a hole in their line and scooted through it. But the final word in all senses went to the Exiles and emphasised the task at hand for Ward and co.
