Doncaster defeated 45-26 by a strong Ealing side

Doncaster Knights were defeated 45-26 in the capital after facing a dominant and well-drilled Ealing Trailfinders squad.

For the first 30 minutes of the game, Doncaster kept close to Ealing, making it a tight contest initially. The hosts scored the first points of the game after powering over from a rolling maul in the corner, giving them a 5-0 lead.

Doncaster then answered back as Penaia Tagutu got himself over the try line. Ollie Fox snatched the ball from the back of the lineout and shipped it out to the backline. Tagutu worked his way in off his wing and powered onto the ball at speed to fly under the posts. Tom Curtis added the extras. 5-7.

Ealing had the edge at scrum time, which played a big part in their ability to dominate. The first scrum penalty that went their way allowed them to kick for a five-metre lineout, before the driving maul followed, giving the hosts another score. Extras were added this time. 12-7.

With Ealing on the attack again, Telusa Veainu read their play brilliantly to completely switch the momentum. He intercepted the ball while defending in the 22 and took off for the try line, running it in from nearly the full length of the pitch and shrugging off the final defender in the process. 12-12.

Ealing then snatched four tries in the space of 10 minutes. The first came down the same wing where Veainu had intercepted, but this time the move paid off and they scored in the corner. Their backline continued to show its skill as winger Diego Bailey added two more tries. The fourth was finished off by Hayden Hyde. 38-12.

The Knights did finish the first half with a better defensive set, as Aidan King turned the ball over at the breakdown while defending on the line, preventing Ealing from doing any more damage in the first 40.

It was a much brighter second half from Doncaster, with Adam Hopkinson regaining possession at the breakdown to give the Knights a chance to attack.

A strong maul from the forwards brought Donny from the 22 into the five-metre area. The ball then went out to the backs, and Semesa Rokoduguni found the gap to slice through. Curtis added the extras. 38-19.

Ealing came looking for more, but once again the Knights held their ground and regained possession at the breakdown.

It took Ealing another 10 minutes to break through the Knights' defence, but eventually Bailey claimed a hat-trick for the hosts as a switch pass created the opportunity for him to cross the line. 45-19.

Doncaster ended the game on a positive note as they added a final try. Veainu kicked things off out wide with some excellent footwork before moving the ball to Rokoduguni. Rokoduguni then displayed his trademark one-handed offload to gift the ball back inside to Zach Kerr.

Kerr showed brilliant pace to finish the try, and Kieran Wilkinson added the extras.

Full-time score: Ealing Trailfinders 45-26 Doncaster Knights.

The Knights return to home next weekend to face league leaders and champions, Worcester Warriors. Secure your tickets now to support the boys.

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