RUGBY UNION: Ealing Trailfinders took full advantage of the postponement of London Scottish's game against Bridgwater to move to the top of National Three South with a bonus-point 38-22 home win over Canterbury on Saturday, writes Arthur Lewis.

Prop Johnny Marsters gave Ealing a great start, crashing over for the game's first try in the first minute.

Canterbury fly-half Gert De Kock responded with a penalty for the visitors on 10 minutes.

Ealing had much the better of the half, but unforced errors saw the home side give up a number of good positions. Eventually the pressure did tell and centre Ali James broke through for the second try that Ben Ward converted to give the home side a 12-3 lead midway through the half. And Ward added three more penalties to give the home side a 21-3 half-time lead.

De Kock reduced the deficit for the visitors against the run of play, converting his own try six minutes into the second half after Ealing conceded a free kick in the Canterbury 22.

James Winterbottom soon

extended Ealing's lead with a well worked try, but again Canterbury pegged the home side back when second row Ed Roche barged over from short range to make it 26-15.

Despite a catalogue of handling errors that continued to let Canterbury off the hook, Ealing finally broke through for the bonuspoint try when David Howells sneaked over in the corner for his 24th try of the season. Ward converted expertly from the touchline.

Neville Edwards finished off a slick lineout move for Ealing's fifth try late on and Canterbury finished off the scoring with a forward's try converted by De Kock.

This weekend Ealing travel to Dings Crusaders, who knocked Ealing out of the EDF National Trophy in November when both sides fielded weakened teams. [25a0] Dave Francis and Chris Rose of Ealing Colts represented London & SouthEast in the RFU U18 Divisional Festival held at Moseley RFC last weekend. London beat the North 29-18 in an entertaining final. [25cf] BONUS POINT: Mark Tucker hands off Canterbury fly-half Gert De Kock during Saturday's win