Ealing Trailfinders 1871battled through to a narrow but crucial win in a game dominated by defence sets and decided by penalties, with each team being restricted to one try.

Rain, overcast conditions, a robust gusting breeze down blowing the hill into the left corner, and a grass pitch at Hendon RFC, with the Hampstead home pitch out of commission due to a problem with legionella in the water system, that was well kept but very soft and muddy underfoot, made it a day for classic ‘old school’ rugby.!

Despite continued injury woes, Ealing put on a masterclass in how quality defence sets and a dominant set-piece win  games in tricky conditions against strong and physical opposition. The clear game plan to play into the wind first half, be brutal in defence and frustrate Hampstead, combined with smart strategic exits, clinical scrum work and lineouts with driving mauls. as well as managing a referee who went on to award a total of 32 penalties and a Hampstead yellow over the course of the 80 minutes.

1871 began brightly against the elements and opened the scoring on 3 minutes through Harry Vidler with a penalty in front of the posts. Strong defence kept Hampstead at bay for most of the first half, and the one try conceded was due to an awkward bounce from a kick into the left-hand corner by the left wing.

Despite turning around 5-3 down, the second-half game plan to utilise the dominant set-piece and the prevailing wind and force Hampstead to play from deep with a kick-chase game proved effective; despite not yielding as many points as anticipated. Ealing took the lead with a powerful drive with from a penalty line-out, with Pat Nash scoring for the third successive week, before Hampstead briefly regained parity with a penalty. However, despite failing to breach the well-drilled Hampstead defence 1871 drew penalties converted by Vidler 18 and 25 minutes into the second half. A converted try would have snatched victory for promoted side Hampstead, but Ealing used the wind and long kicks to the corners to keep the opposition penned in their own half and secure the win.

After a day when a four-try bonus was not a realistic prospect, Ealing have fallen a narrow two points behind Finchley at the top of the league table, with crucial matches to come for both in the last game week before Christmas, against third-placed Chiswick and fourth-placed Hampstead respectively.

The game was and needed to be an 18-man effort,  but special mentions for MotM go to Reggie Elliot-Jones, whose tackle and carry counts were outstanding, and Harry Vidler, who orchestrated proceedings masterfully from fly-half. As well as regularly making the right calls, his kicking game showed real maturity in punishing Hampstead both into the wind and downwind. Ealing were also indebted to help from non-regulars Albert Stoute, Ed Reid and Jack Feeney, who was called up overnight.