Ealing Amateurs notched up another bonus point win in 'The Shield' at the weekend away to Richmond, (7-44). An early score claimed by skipper Adam Hulmston from a lineout drive on the left set the tone for a day when the Ealing pack dominated at set-piece and in the loose and fellow back-row Mike Whitney crossed on the opposite flank just five minutes later; a deserved reward for another strong individual performance.

Elusive quick ball midway through the first half saw Ealing's playing framework working at its best with debutant Cariern Clement-Pascall crossing the line unopposed on the right wing to make the score 0-17. Richmond raised their game whenever they were allowed possession and a well worked try narrowed the gap on the scoreboard.

A tense and keenly contested 15 minute spell was only broken when the Miller brothers crossed either side of half-time. Scrum-half Ollie's opportunist try took much of the sting out of Richmond and when brother Stuart finished a shifted lineout drive that had been discussed just moments earlier during the interval this effectively put the tie out of Richmond's reach.

A back-row 'full-house' was completed when the tireless Mitch van Deursen extended Ealing's lead before Steve Verma cut a good line through a tiring defence to score under the posts. Van Deursen then capped an excellent display by peeling off a dominant driving lineout to score Ealing's final try before Richmond had noticed that the ball had left the maul.

Coach Nick Lambert commended the side on their defensive organisation and commitment, particularly once a number of injuries had forced players out of their customary defensive roles.

The Shield fixtures continue on Saturday with a keenly anticipated clash with Sutton and Epsom.