Ealing arrived at Stonex sitting at the top of the Championship with 11 wins from 12 matches. A set, successful team, used to playing together. A team with something to prove after basically being locked out of the top tier.
Thanks to 3 penalties given away by Saracens in as many minutes Ealing got on the scoreboard early with a penalty for Dan Jones and a try, scored by Mark Willemse, who crashed over from 2 metres out.
A failed attempt at a drop goal by Saracens saw Ealing back in the Saracens half after an almighty drop out from Johnson. Reuben Bird Tulloch scoring their 2nd try, untroubled by defenders. With just 11 minutes on the clock Ealing were 17 points up!
Saracens hit back with a try from a rolling maul, playing with a penalty in their pockets Carwyn Tuipuloto Emerged to score! The conversion hit the posts.
Saracens were awarded a penalty from the kick off and Brandon Jackson was able to capitalise on Saracens possession running through from his wing to score.
Ealing won good possession with another penalty from Saracens. The line out ball was missed by all involved then knocked on by Ealing. Saracens lost the ball after the scrum and Ealing moved quickly, getting the ball out to Tobi Wilson, he had an easy run in with several Saracens defenders having run past the ball. That made the score Saracens 19 Ealing 23 after 22 minutes.
Tobi Wilson’s 2nd try came after Saracens were sacked after a scrum, they lost the ball as Ealing basically ran over them. Ealing, again, with quick hands got the ball to him and, with space in front of him he scored a cracker.
Brandon Jackson scored his 2nd after Saracens won an Ealing line out ball. I think the pass was one of the most forward of passes I’ve seen, even more so than the pass at the Stade! But, the try stood and Saracens were ‘only’ 10 behind.
The Saracens walk from a penalty for back chat happened again as Ealing won a penalty at the scrum. That put Ealing back into the Saracens half. There were a couple of knock ons after the line out which saw a scrum put in for Saracens. Gareth Simpson came away with the ball with a free kick pending, he kicked ahead for Tobias Elliot who himself kicked ahead. He and a couple of defenders took out a poor photographer as they went for the ball.
The half finished with the score on Saracens 17 Ealing Trailfinders 27.
Saracens kept Ealing waiting to start the 2nd half, they had a lot of work to do in the final 40. There were hordes of children in the guard of honour so they took some time to leave too!
Ealing won Saracens first line out ball to go on the attack again. That attack came to nothing and a penalty awarded at scrum time gave Saracens a chance to clear their lines. They won their line out this time. But we ended up with a scrum in the Ealing half, an Ealing put in, the scrum had to be re-set, then Ealing came away with the ball. Saracens were penalised for crossing as the ball was kicked ahead.
We had a worrying injury stoppage with a very still Max Eke lying on his front until he was very carefully rolled over, it was a relief to see him standing, he likely for an HIA, hoping he’s ok.
Ealing extended their lead with a penalty. They then won a penalty as Saracens went on the attack. They then won another as they attacked. And another successful kick took them to 33.
Another basic error from Saracens saw a free kick for Ealing at a line out. Ealing were then awarded another penalty, duly conveyed by Dan Jones, who’d kicked well throughout.
Ruben Bird Tulloch scored what may be one of his easiest tries this season as Jordan Holgate intercepted the ball, the pass to Bird Tulloch meant he had a straight run in under the posts. The conversion took Ealing to 43.
Olly Hartley had a great run through and Saracens fans had something to shout about for a while. But, the ball was intercepted.Saracens had a couple of penalties go their way, but gave another away close to the Ealing line.
Charlie Bracken had come on and brought sone speed to Saracens play, he was instrumental in their next try, breaking free he passed to Jackson who in turn passed to Tiff Eden who ran in to score.
Ealing were awarded a penalty deep in Saracens half, but knocked on at the line out this time. They were closing in on 50 points. That 50 became a reality and pretty much summed up the match when Jordy Reid scored after Johnson was charged down.
Brandon Jackson scored an excellent individual try to finish things off.
The final score was Saracens 29 Ealing Trailfinders 50. Ealing were very much the better team on the day and deserving of their win. A tough day at the office for Saracens they face London Scottish away in the next Prem Cup game. The crowd was a poor one, there doesn’t appear to be much appetite when England are on the TV.
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