Leinster turn on the power to shake off Ealing Trailfinders

By Daire Walsh

Leinster ‘A’ 45 Ealing Trailfinders 13: Leinster ‘A’ produced a strong second-half surge at Donnybrook last night, as they recorded a 32-point win over Ealing Trailfinders in Pool 1 of the British & Irish Cup.

Out-half Cathal Marsh and Ealing’s Alex Davies swapped penalties during the early exchanges, and even though Marsh moved the hosts back into the ascendancy at the start of the second quarter, the dependable Davies subsequently added his second successful place-kick.

There had been little to separate the sides for the majority of the half, but courtesy of a converted pushover try by prop Peter Dooley, Leinster brought a 13-6 advantage into the second period.

The Blues were significantly bolstered by this well-timed score, and following further tries from Tadhg Beirne, Darragh Fanning, Colm O’Shea (two) and Cian Kelleher after the restart, the outcome was placed beyond the reach of Ealing.

The English Championship outfit did register a consolation five-pointer through No. 8 Chris York, before a stoppage-time try by replacement Royce Burke-Flynn rounded off an excellent bonus-point triumph for Leinster ‘A’.

Scorers for Leinster ‘A:

Tries; C O’Shea 2, P Dooley, T Beirne, D Fanning, C Kelleher, R Burke-Flynn Pens: C Marsh 2 Cons: C Marsh 2.

Scorers for Ealing Trailfinders:

Try: C. York Pens: A Davies 2 Con: J Love

LEINSTER ‘A’: C Kelleher; D Fanning, C O’Shea, S Crosbie, M McGrath; C Marsh, C Rock; P Dooley, B Byrne, M Bent; G Thornbury, T Beirne; J Murphy, D Leavy, P Timmins.

Replacements:

S McNulty, R Burke-Flynn, D O’Connor, T Ryan, M D’Arcy, H Brewer, I Fitzpatrick.

EALING TRAILFINDERS:

J Love; C Wilson, S Stanley, J Munro, P Chesters; T Roberts, A Davies; W Davis, R Lawrence, A Penny; C Jones, L Jones; H Orr, A Ellis, C York.

Replacements:

S Neville, K Gibson, S Rodman, A Bradley, E Grace, T Bliss, C Kinloch.

Referee:

C Evans (Wales).