By Coventry Rugby 
By Alex Didlick
It was an afternoon of attacking flair but defensive frustration, as Coventry fell 36-63 to league leaders Ealing Trailfinders at the Butts Park Arena. Despite flashes of brilliance, not least from first half hat-trick hero Peter Sullivan, Cov were ultimately undone by Ealing’s ruthless efficiency and set-piece power.
Ealing’s Dan Jones got proceedings underway on a blustery day in Coventry. With the wind behind them it was Coventry who dealt the first blood. Taking advantage of early Ealing indiscipline, Coventry set up a smart lineout maul which was snuck out the blind side and clinically finished off by Peter Sullivan. Just the start Coventry were looking for.
The visitors soon hit back. A quick tap from just outside the Cov 22 saw Ealing burst into life with a slick attacking move, fly-half Jones setting up Francis Moore for a sharp finish. In challenging conditions, both kickers impressed early on, Jones and Josh Thomas each slotting touchline conversions with ease.
Ealing began to find their rhythm, and a penalty at the scrum gave them another attacking platform. A neat lineout routine saw David Bridge crash over to give the visitors the lead. Coventry’s early spark faded as Ealing began to dictate territory, forcing Cov to defend deep in their half.
But Coventry weren’t phased. Spotting a loose pass, Sullivan intercepted Jones’ offload and sprinted the length of the pitch to level the scores, a poacher’s finish that lifted the Butts Park faithful.
Ealing responded almost immediately, another penalty at the scrum setting up Matt Cornish to power over. Yet Coventry’s attacking endeavour continued to shine, and when Thomas produced a pinpoint cross-field kick, Sullivan was there again, climbing high to complete a first-half hat-trick in just 35 minutes. The conversion attempt rattled the upright, but the BPA crowd were in fine voice.
A yellow card to Matt Johnson for playing the ball on the floor threatened to swing the momentum once more. Despite some brave defence, including a superb jackal from Dan Green to relieve the pressure, Ealing eventually made their extra man count. Fly-half Jones combined beautifully with Jordan Holgate, who took advantage of the overlap to score in the corner.
Thomas reduced the deficit before half-time with a penalty, bringing an end to a breathless first half that saw both teams trade blows in a 22–28 scoreline.
The second half began in the worst possible fashion for Cov. A loose pass from Thomas was intercepted by Holgate, who raced clear for his second of the game. Moments later, frustration on the touchline boiled over as Josh Barton was shown yellow for dissent.
Ealing made their pressure count through Tobi Wilson, whose finish in the corner extended the lead, with Jones continuing his flawless day from the tee. Coventry’s defence, so resilient in flashes, struggled to contain the visitors’ variety of attack.
The Trailfinders’ dominance continued when Danny Cutmore charged down a clearance to score, putting daylight between the sides. Yet there was still time for more Peter Sullivan flare, who intercepted again and sprinted clear to claim his fourth of the afternoon, a remarkable individual display from the summer signing.
Ealing’s rolling maul added another through Scott Buckley before Coventry gave the home crowd a late cheer. Replacement Api Bavadra made a surging break through midfield, with Josh Thomas finishing off the move to cross under the posts.
The final word, though, went to Ealing. Another lineout drive saw Jordan Reid touch down to complete the scoring at 36–63.
It was a difficult afternoon for Coventry, whose attacking flair couldn’t mask defensive lapses against one of the Champ Rugby’s most clinical sides. Still, with bright performances from Sullivan and Thomas, and more valuable minutes for the squad, Coventry will look to regroup and tighten up ahead of next week’s trip to Richmond.
Attendance- 2631
Goal kicking:
Josh Thomas- 5/6
Dan Jones- 8/8
Rory Scandell- 1/1
Try Scorers:
Coventry Rugby- Peter Sullivan (3’, 18’, 22’, 75’), Josh Thomas (79’)
Ealing Trailfinders- Francis Moore (9’), David Bridge (14’), Matt Cornish (20’), Jordan Holgate (39’, 44’), Tobi Wilson (66’), Danny Cutmore (71’), Scott Buckley (77’)
Lineups
Coventry Rugby- Toby Trinder, Suva Ma’asi, Matt Johnson, Jack Shine, Senitiki Nayalo, Dan Green, Tom Ball, Morgan Strong ©, Josh Barton, Josh Thomas, Peter Sullivan, Morgan Adderly-Jones, Oli Morris, David Opoku-Fordjour, Tom Bacon
Finishers: Murray Davidson, Keston Lines, Eliot Salt, Allan Ferrie, Mackenzie Graham, Tom Miles, Tommy Mathews, Api Bavadra
Ealing Trailfinders- Lefty Zigiriadis, Matt Cornish, Adam Nicol, David Bridge, Danny Cutmore, Josh Taylor, Conor Oliver (c), Kyle Hatherell, Craig Hampson, Dan Jones, Tom Collins, Jordan Holgate, Francis Moore, Angus Kernohan, Tobi Wilson
Finishers: Scott Buckley, James Kenny, Kyle Whyte, George Shaw, Will Montgomery, Jordy Reid, Michael Stronge, Rory Scannell
Referee: Joe James
