Ealing Trailfinders 34-29 Gloucester: Uzokwe at the double to down Gloucester

EALING Trailfinders kicked-off their preseason schedule with an entertaining win over George Skivington’s Gloucester.

The Green and Whites were able to overturn a narrow five-point half-time deficit after Val Rapava-Ruskin put his side in pole position at the break.

A Simon Uzokwe brace, a Malon Al-Jiboori try and, most crucially, a Steven Shingler spot kick at the death ensured a confidence-boosting win ahead of the Championship campaign and if you’re thinking of placing a bet this season, check out this Bwin sign up offer.

Ben Ward’s side make the trip to Kingsholm next Saturday in the reverse fixture of the pre-season billing before their first league fixture on September 18 against Hartpury.

Trailfinders made an impactful start at the breakdown, winning a penalty and bullying the Cherry and White pack in the game’s first two scrums.

And they were able to make their presence count on the scoreboard as Max Bodilly’s risky pass made its way to new signing Cian Kelleher who offloaded to Pat Howard to score.

Gloucester’s reply was instant as full-back Kyle Moyle was found in space on the right flank to finish off an attacking move spearheaded by Billy Twelvetrees, who missed the conversion.

Quick hands: Stephen Varney gets Glos moving

Careless knock-ons were a feature of the half and stunted some promising play by Trailfinders in the opening 20 minutes, but David Johnston made no mistake after being on the end of an over-the-top pass by Shingler.

Recent U20 Six Nations champion with England, Freddie Thomas, touched down under the post to give Twelvetrees an easy shot at bringing the deficit back to two from the tee, as the flanker showcased his robust line-breaking ability.

It wouldn’t be the last time Thomas was required to put the burners on, telegraphing Shingler’s pass to intercept and breach into Trailfinders’ 22, but captain Rayn Smid recovered excellently as his side won the penalty in the breakdown.

Rapava-Ruskin made sure that his side went in at the interval with the lead in their hands in the final exertion of the half from Gloucester, patiently building towards the try line before the prop bundled over.

Coach George Skivington spoke of his intention pre-match in using as many of his 31-man matchday squad and it was all change at the break for Gloucester as a whole new 15 was fielded.

Ealing struck first after pressure from a lineout led to Simon Uzokwe scoring with a Shingler conversion to boot.

Concerns were immediately raised for Gloucester stalwart Charlie Sharples after a heavy collison that left him unconscious for several minutes, but was met with a rapturous applause when being replaced by Jacob Morris.

Henry Walker finished off a well-executed team move from the lineout to put his team back in the lead before Al-Jiboori got on the scoresheet, with Shingler missing his first kick of the match.

Trailfinders looked to extend their two point lead with just over ten minutes left and did so once again through Uzokwe, this time via a rolling maul.

Trailfinders’ fantastic work on the ground to win back two possessions earned Shingler another shot at goal and the Welshman converted to put his side ten points ahead.

Gloucester had the last say, with an unconverted try from Jack Reeves to conclude a very respectable showing from both outfits.