Last-ditch try wins friendly against H&F

Encouraging signs for 1871 as the league season draws closer

Ealing 1871 ultilmately came away with a narrow win against a tough second string of London South 1 club Hammersmith and Fulham at Hurlingham Park, and showed encouraging signs with the Herts Middlesex 1 league campaign just four weeks away.

Ealing began well, with a clean catch by captain Liam McDonagh. A kick downfield by Harrison Slater at 10 was returned by the home side, but the ball was collected at pace by prop Pat Nash. From the ensuing ruck the ball was recycled, and an incisive break down the right by scrum half Josh Steadman was followed by another quick recycle, giving Alex Miller the opportunity to crash over under the posts, Slater adding the conversion. With this early advantage, 1871 continued to dominate, a strong run down the left touchline by wing Ben Pink nearly creating another opening. With 10 minutes on the clock, Ealing were awarded a penalty around the half-way line, Slater found touch, Miller took a clean catch at the line-out and Nash broke off the maul to score wide on the left. Slater's conversion attempt struck the upright, leaving the score at 12-0. Second row Jakub Hundel suffered a nasty gash in a clash of heads and had to be taken to hospital for stitches, and some of Ealing's momentum was lost, the Hammers reducing the deficit on 25 minutes with a converted try created by a driving maul. Five minutes before the break the home side drew level with a second try before Ealing ended the half on a high note with a drive to the line from a line-out, Nash touching down for his second score of the day.

In an evenly contested second period, 1871 moved 10 points ahead through wing Toby Holt, and the Hammers hit back on 57 minutes to move within one score with an unconverted try. With 2 minutes remaining, H&F took the lead for the first time in the match with a converted try, but Ealing snatched victory a minute later with a second try for Holt, converted by Slater.

Man of the match was flanker Nyall Wake, always at the heart of the action.

Next week 1871 1sts take on Finchley in another friendly before the first league game, at home against St Albans' side Verulamians.