12th straight league win for Ealing 1871 in atrocious conditions

In a top-of-the-table battle, Ealing 1871 overcame the opposition and the elements to post a twelfth successful victory in their first national league season, and continue their march towards promotion to Herts Middlesex 1.

The approach of Storm Dennis, hot on the heels of Storm Ciara, which had already left the pitch sodden a few days previously, made for testing conditions, and it is testament to both teams that a high level of skill and organisation was shown throughout. Actonians, playing with the advantage of a strong wind in the first half, took the game to Ealing with an aggressive start, and as in the previous league clash between these two local rivals in very different weather back in September were the first to score, with a forwards’ try after just 4 minutes. The game swung back and forth, but Ealing slowly began to impose themselves and a period of pressure was turned into points with a short-range try by flanker Nyall Wake, converted by Callum Nolan-Hutchinson. Ealing maintained the upper hand with a series of pick-and-go’s, a suitable tactic in the muddy conditions, and eventually took the lead with half an hour gone when prop Andrew Barton seized on a loose ball to score in the corner, to add to a number of big hits he clearly enjoyed during the course of the game. An excellent first half was capped by another short-range try, this time by No 8 Kairo Rodrigo.

As the rain swept in and with the pitch rapidly turning into a mudbath, opportunities to score further points proved few and far between, with Ealing generally dominant but eschewing the chance of kicking penalties in an attempt to score a fourth try to earn an extra bonus point but being held up by robust Actonians defence. There were also, however, occasions when Ealing had to dig deep to defend their own line.

By the end of a scoreless second half it was becoming increasingly difficult to tell the two mud-covered teams apart.

Actonians deserve great credit for a spirited effort, and are now left with a crucial match against Old Millhillians in two weeks’ time in their quest to secure the second promotion spot. Victory against Watford on the same day would virtually guarantee top spot for 1871.

Ealing man of the match for innumerable chop tackles and carries was flanker Matt Donnelly.