EALING TRAILFINDERS 23 BEDFORD BLUES 39
Bedford secured only their second away league win of the season, and their first double, after two late tries from Mark Atkinson clinched a bonus-point victory over bottom club Ealing today.
The game had looked to be slipping away from them as Ealing repeatedly clawed their way back into the match, but superior fitness and a second-half wind advantage saw them over the line.
The home side had an early chance to take the lead when Thomas Wheatcroft broke through the middle from inside his own half, but his pass, which would have put Andrew Henderson clean through, was dropped.
Ealing then found themselves a man down when Stephen Pape was yellow carded for a high tackle on James Pritchard as he broke down the wing.
Bedford took immediate advantage, kicking the resulting penalty to touch and pressuring the Ealing line. Phil Boulton was stopped just short, but the ball was worked out left to Nick Fenton-Wells who crashed over close in. The conversion was sliced wide by Pritchard.
The Blues looked to cement their advantage just before the return of Pape when Pritchard collected the ball from a rolling maul and chased down his own kick, but Chris Kinloch did just enough to force the knock on.
They did extend their lead four minutes later when another rolling maul opened up gaps in the Ealing defence and Gregor Gillanders raced in near the posts, Pritchard this time converting.
Ealing hit right back though when Ben Ward chipped the ball out wide to Phil Chesters who raced through and touched down in the corner.
By now the home side had all the momentum, and they used it to full effect. The ball was worked out to TJ Anderson following an Ealing lineout close in and he brushed off the attention of three Bedford defenders to touch down. Ward notched the conversion to level the scores at 12-12.
Bedford were then reduced to 14 when Harry Wells saw yellow for an offence at the breakdown and Ealing profited from the resulting penalty which was kicked into the Bedford corner. The play eventually ended up with Ward on the left, who again chipped through for Chesters to score.
Bedford pegged Ealing back though and went into the break one-point ahead at 18-17 after two penalties from Pritchard.
Ealing restored their lead early on in the second-half when Ward converted in front of the posts after Bedford were penalised for a body-check.
The hosts then found themselves trapped in their own half for the best part of 20 minutes as Bedford took advantage of an increasing wind. Pat Tapley finally broke through the centre of the Ealing defence after 62 minutes and Pritchard converted to put the Blues back in front at 25-20.
The gap was then reduced to two points when Ward converted a central penalty after Bedford were caught offside, and Ealing nearly regained the lead when Adam Preocanin broke through and set up Billy Robinson, but he was held up after forcing his way over the try-line.
Bedford dug in though and secured the win, and a bonus point, in the final two minutes through two tries for Atkinson, who burst through a weary Ealing defence.
Pritchard and Jake Sharp kicked the routine conversions.
Article source: http://www.fanatix.com/news/england-v-italy-six-nations-rugby-championship-live-streaming-game-preview/194373/
Rugby Union: Ealing Trailfinders 23 Bedford Blues 39 - late Mark Atkinson ...
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