Ealing Trailfinders 1871 turned on the power to secure promotion to Counties 1 Herts & Middlesex, Level 7 of English rugby ,with an emphatic performance across the field against local rivals Wasps, who were sitting in third place in the league table at kick-off.

1871 quickly put the disappointment of defeat at home to Saracens Amateurs last time out to rest with a blistering start under the Friday night lights on Wasps’ 4G pitch, thoroughly familiar territory after several ‘home’ games played there this season and last. Despite losing their own line-out after 2 minutes, Ealing eventually gained possession deep in their own 22, where Josh Steadman set off on a typically mazy run before offloading to right wing Louis Aitcheson-Walker, who made good ground. A penalty soon afterwards wide on the left was taken as a scrum, and Alex Walker at No 8 picked up and scored at the base with Wasps back-pedalling. Harry Vidler nailed an excellent conversion from his ‘wrong’ side. With just 8 minutes gone Ealing were half-way to the four tries needed to guarantee promotion with five league points. A line-out was taken quickly, the forwards drove to within a couple of metres of the try line and Josh Steadman came into the line to create an overlap on the right, where Jack Hobbs had a simple run-in, Vidler again adding the extras. Wasps showed they were not to be taken lightly by reducing the deficit with a well-worked try on the left wing after their forwards had created a solid platform, before Vidler nailed a penalty to stretch the lead to 17-5. A few minutes later 1871 went back on the attack following a line-out steal by Toby Holt, and after a few phases took play into the opposition 22. Wasps regained possession and tried to run the ball from their own line, but Hobbs read a telegraphed pass and intercepted for his second of the day. Vidler converted, and the score then remained unchanged through to the break at 24-5, with one more try needed for the bonus point.

Vidler kicked another penalty soon after the re-start to stretch the lead, before aggressive defence by Ealing led to loose ball kicked down the right touch line by Josh Steadman, whose dive onto the ball to score the try was prevented by an off-ball tackle, leading to the award of a penalty try. With the bonus point finally secured, Ealing continued to take the game to Wasps, forcing a scrum in the left-hand corner. The Ealing pack shunted their Wasps counterparts back to the try line, where Walker picked up and notched his second try. Vidler maintained his perfect kicking record with the conversion. The last quarter of the game did not produce any further scores.

Joint man of the match in an outstanding performance were Devis Acellam for power in the scrum and work in the loose, and Toby Holt for his speed around the park, line-out work and tigerish tackling.

With three games remaining Level 7 awaits, but pride and the league title are at stake when 1871 face Brunel University at Vallis Way on 23 March after the Ealing Trailfinders match against London Scottish.