Ealing Trailfinders dispatched Chinnor 41-5 in Round 19 of the Championship at Trailfinders Sports Club on Saturday (10 May 2025).
Tries from Francis Moore, Matt Cornish, Michael Stronge, Reuben Bird-Tulloch, Craig Willis, Craig Hampson and Rob Farrar meant Trailfinders came away with all five points.
The result leaves Ben Ward’s men with a 13-point lead at the top of the Championship and can clinch the title away next weekend away at Caldy.
In the opening five minutes, Angus Kernohan managed to find space on the left and break down the outside, an offload inside to Michael Stronge and then to Moore gave Trailfinders the perfect start.
Chinnor hit back shortly after through Chris Moore, as he crossed the whitewash at the back of a rolling maul.
Next it was Trailfinders turn to unleash a powerful roiling maul. Cornish dotted down to stretch the lead back to seven points.
Before the break, the hosts were able to add a third. After setting one up earlier, this time Stronge was on the end a Tom Collins breakaway.
Half-time: Ealing Trailfinders 17-5 Chinnor
There was a cagey start to the second 40 and neither team could get a foothold in the game. That was until Chinnor’s James Bourton was sent to the sin bin on the 52nd minute and Trailfinders did not take long to capitalise.
The hosts set up a maul, and dragged in the defence. This left space out on the left and Bird-Tulloch was the beneficiary.
With the defence still stretched, Willis was able to find a gap and passed to Jordan Holgate before he received it back for a clear run to the line.
After a long period of Chinnor pressure, Trailfinders were reduced to 13 men and the visitors looked dangerous. However, pressure was relieved when Hampson intercepted and went the length.
Restored to their full compliment, Trailfinders were closing in on Chinnor’s line and eventually broke through when Farrar crashed over.
That rounded off a brilliant afternoon at Trailfinders Sports Club and Ealing Trailfinders can win the Championship against Caldy at Paton Field next week.
Emily Bunder from EALING.NEWS caught up with match captain for Trailfinders, Rob Farrar, after the game.
Rob, great result today! How are you feeling?
“Very well, it’s what we expected really. We knew, unlike last week that they weren’t going to roll over. They came here and gave it a good go and I think we quite enjoyed the scrap to win comfortably in the end. I think we’re all pretty happy with that.”
And this was the second-last home game of the season, the next home game is a big one. How are you guys feeling about that one and the last three games of the season as a whole?
“There’s the opportunity to win it, win the whole league next week so I think that’s exciting for us. So we’ll take that as it comes and I think we’ll reappraise after that with the goal of absolutely flying into Coventry so I’m sure that’ll come thick and fast but next week is certainly the priority to try and wrap the league up then and then we can think about [Coventry] as and when that comes.”
Full-time: Ealing Trailfinders 41-5 Chinnor
Ealing Trailfinders:
Tries – Francis Moore 4, Matt Cornish 25, Michael Stronge 34, Reuben Bird-Tulloch 54, Craig Willis 59, Craig Hampson 69, Rob Farrar 79
Conversions – Tobi Wilson 5, 80, Craig Willis 60
Yellow Card – Angus Kernohan 63, Sean Lonsdale 66
Chinnor:
Tries – Chris Moore 20
Yellow Card – James Bourton 52
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