A local derby, the weather was warm and bright, there was a slight breeze, the grass pitch was well kept and still had its slope, and all in all it was a good day for a tussle.

Ealing 1871 always knew that Ruislip, with some big units, were going to come on strong in the CQB (Close Quarter Battle) areas. They were true to form and did not disappoint.

The warm-up was a little below par in places and lacked some of the usual energy and sharpness, but it was close enough to get everyone operating at a decent heart rate.

The game got off to the right start with 3 minutes gone after, rather than clearing the ball from the Ealing 22, it was decided to run the ball, putting it through a series of hands and with some big carries through George Emmerson (12), Akeem Eubank-Anderson (3), Leo Codrington-Lambert (2), Toby Holt (8) (Captain) and Josh Steadman (15), who was brought down about 10 metres short of the line but had the presence of mind and skill set to pop the ball up to Toby Holt who had recycled himself and charged through the space to score. A very good team try, which Liam Mulvihill (10) on debut added to by slotting the two extra points.

Ruislip were stunned, but did not fall off, and 8 minutes later saw a chink from an 1871 infringement, quickly tapped the penalty and crashed over the line. They kicked the extras, and the scores were then level.

Spurred on by this and the need to assert dominance, 1871 scored 4 minutes later through Leo Codrington-Lambert, off the back of a lineout maul which was unstoppable, with Liam Mulvihill again adding the extra two points. 7 minutes later, Akeem Eubank-Anderson scored after a similar lineout maul, which left Ruislip, despite their general weight advantage, struggling to hold up the 1871 drive.  No conversion this time, however, 5 minutes later Ilan Trowbridge (14) then joined the action and scored the fourth try, securing the try bonus point, off of a catch pass coast to coast set that shredded the Ruislip defence, who could not fold fast enough to cover the pitch and stop the slick 1871 handling.

Ruislip rallied and after winning a lineout, put in a phase and again used their heavies’ help to cross the whitewash. They missed the conversion.

Half time score Ealing 1871 24 - 12 Ruislip

It took Ruislip 3 minutes to carry their first-half momentum into the second period, scoring off a lineout maul, another example of the heavy lifting they are used to. They also added the conversion, which narrowed up the score.

The fear of another 15 minute sleepy time taking effect, which had caused the loss to Finchley the previous week, forced a message to go out that the nap had been had, so it was time to wake up and get on with the job, and 17 minutes into the half, after being prevented from gaining much if any traction by Ruislip, 1871 did indeed wake up and once again Josh Steadman linked up, this time with Kyle Beck (11), with both carrying well, to aid George Emmerson’s race for the line.  Another missed conversion, but the momentum had been regained.

7 minutes later, capping his previous efforts with a score, Josh Steadman crossed the whitewash, having hit a swift (and as is his wont) hard line.

Properly awake now, 1871 scored again 4 minutes later through Ilan Trowbridge, completing a debut brace, who held his width well off a winning 1871 scrum and tore down the outside channel. The extras were added by Harrison Slater (18). Six minutes later Archie Baxter (23) got in on the action and crashed over after a textbook, training pitch play, which came from a lineout and a couple of hard carry phases, with Harrison Slater again adding the extras.

Ruislip fought hard throughout the latter part of the half, to both grab a bonus point and stem the obvious gulf in fitness, which they managed to do at 37 minutes, after turning over the ball, playing down the line and kicking ahead, then winning the foot chase. They also gained the extra points.

Not to let Ruislip have the last hurrah, 1871, through the boot of Harrison Slater, took a penalty kick in front of the posts, to move the score past the half century mark.

There are always work-ons in a game and this time it has to be about the full 80 minutes, rather than 65, despite what the momentum looks or feels like. It was, though, a job well done, away from home, against a heavier and CQB side, who always fight to the end.

Ealing 1871’s next league game is away to old rivals Saracens Amateurs, on 18 October, before a two-week break.