Blackheath 21 Ealing Trailfinders 45

The power and pace of the Premiership hopefuls proved too much for Blackheath to make this a truly competitive fixture, but at least the National League One side can take heart from a second half performance that brought respectability to the final scoreline.

Nevertheless, the first period was heavily one-sided, with Ealing registering three tries within a quarter of an hour.

Wing Howard Packman slipped across in the corner on two minutes, line-out ball was moved inside for skipper and number-eight Sam Dickinson to cross beneath the uprights, before a delightful off-load from left-wing Will Harries put blind-side Rayn Smid away from 40-metres and a 19-0 advantage.

Leo Fielding’s last-ditch tackle denied Trailfinders’ full-back David Johnston, but hooker Alun Walker and open-side Jordy Reid added further scores which, with Craig Willis striking four conversions, moved Ealing into a 33-0 lead by the interval.

Argentinian wing Segundo Tuculet benefitted from an interception to add Ealing’s sixth try on 53 minutes, but Blackheath managed to find more possession and space to work with as the second period developed.

Markus Burcham and Harry Fry took play forward, before Fielding’s neat footwork evaded the defence to put Craig Dowsett across in the 64th minute, and Freddie Owen was worked over for a second try a few moments later.

Fielding himself broke away for a third try for the hosts, but Ealing enjoyed the last word as Tuculet scored out wide in the final moments.

Blackheath final warm up game prior to the start of the National League One season on 1st September, sees them host Tonbridge Juddian on Friday night. 

Kick off at Well Hall is at 7.30 pm.

Blackheath

Tries:   Dowsett, Owen, Fielding

Conv:  Tarrant 3

Ealing Trailfinders

Tries:   Packman, Dickinson, Smid, Walker, Reid, Tuculet 2

Conv:  Willis 5