Ealing Trailfinders 1871 secured 5 crucial league points and went top of the Counties 2 Herts & Middlesex table with 13 wins out of 15 ahead of a chasing pack of three, each with two games in hand, but had to rely on superior conversion of pressure into points against the team ranking as ‘best of the rest’ in 5th place. While the set scrums saw Ealing dominance against an equally heavy Hendon pack and the line outs were a source of quality possession throughout, 1871 were generally not at their best in other facets of the game.

In marked contact to the St Albans mudbath a week previously, the game was played in bright sunshine but temperatures hovering around zero. After the visitors kicked off, Ealing conceded the first of what to prove a high penalty count affecting both sides, for a maul offence, and Hendon took an early 3-0 lead. A penalty awarded around the visitors’ 22 metre line then enabled Harry Vidler to level the scores 10 minutes later.  Pick-and-goes nearly led to an Ealing try a few minutes later, but the ball was eventually turned over. With little to separate the two teams as the first half progressed, Ealing lost second row Reggie Elliott-Jones, who was replaced by Kavan Fitzpatrick. As the 40 minute mark approached, 1871 finally made a breakthrough. Vidler spotted a gap in the Hendon defence and put up a teasing kick. Full back and captain Lewis Steadman was first to the ball, and No 8 Will Day was on hand to finish close to the posts, from where Vidler converted. A succession of injuries led to a whole 10 minutes being added on to the first period, at the end of which Ealing were awarded a penalty, kicked to touch. The 1871 forwards probed the line until prop Tim Hitchcock eventually forced his way over. Irked by back-chat disputing whether the ball had been placed over the line, the referee turned the score into a penalty try before blowing the whistle for half time, with Ealing enjoying a healthy lead of 17-3, which was somewhat flattering on the balance of play.

Hendon began the second half strongly and came close to reducing the deficit but lost possession with the line at their mercy. However, 14 minutes after the re-start they made amends though a strong run in the centre for a converted try, leaving them just one score behind. Ealing responded almost immediately when the returning Danny O’Sullivan made good ground down the left wing. From recycled ball Fitzpatrick barged his way over, having also been on the scoresheet in the reverse fixture in October, with Vidler converting. Ealing then went searching for a fourth bonus-point try against determined opposition, repeatedly frustrated by penalty awards, and half-way through the second period finally achieved their aim. The forwards set up a platform near the try line and a long pass put Lewis Steadman into space on the right wing. Vidler converted once again, continuing his fine kicking form. Within 5 minutes Hendon had reduced the deficit to 31-17, but a fractious game eventually reached a conclusion with no further scores.

Vital league points are at stake on Saturday 28 January with a visit to London Scottish, out to avenge a single-point loss to Ealing at Wasps FC earlier in the season.