This was a real battle, with neither team wanting to give an inch from the word go. It took until the 23rd minute before Belsize Park blinked first, for Petru Boian to go over for a score in the corner.

True to form in this game, Belsize Park countered 3 minutes later for their own score.
It took another big effort from Ealing to score again, through Ian Kilcoyne, in the 35th minute, after a brilliant clear-out from Clayton Pochop to win back the ball and for a great transition from Ealing.

In the second half, Belsize Park came straight back after 5 minutes to also score and like Ealing they also converted their try. It was therefore again level pegging, with both teams, still throwing themselves into this game and from this Ealing again scored with Danny O’Sullivan finally getting his rewards with an interception try, running half the length of the pitch, as no-one was at home. Again, Darragh Sinnott converted and put Ealing again in front. Once again this tick tock game levelled out with Belsize Park scoring and converting the points to again draw the game level at 19 minutes.

Unfortunately at this point, the game changed in Belsize Park’s favour, as both Ealing subs had already been used up, with players unable to return and further injuries came. At one point there were 12 players left on the pitch. However, Jake Usher, who hyper-extended his elbow, returned and the remaining players insisted in continuing, tremendous heart, as they went back at Belsize Park and put them under further pressure. Once they gathered themselves, Belsize Park capitalised on the extra space available and ran in two quick tries and converting the last and in the act of attempting to defend the last score Petru Boian managed to split his nostril.
An heroic performance by Ealing 2nd XV against the top of the league, who were put to a real test in this game and who will undoubtably be sore for the next few days, as they knew that they were in a battle.

Off the back of that performance, I’ll be looking forward to the next foray and the return game.

MotM: Adam Rodrigo