Actonians wasted no time in showing their power game with the forwards mauling their way over the line with hooker Paddy Heekin touching down at the bottom of the pile. Elliot (10) lines up a very tricky kick out on the left touchline but is unable to convert, 0-5 Actonians.

It doesn’t take long for Ealing to find their mojo. A couple of silly penalties see the men in green camped in our 22 where they find the sweet spot of power and continuity to crash over from short distance. The fly half is unable to convert his drop kick conversion (unsure if the lack of a kicking tee is a sign of mere confidence or possible financial trouble for the local rugby giants). Regardless, the score is level 5-5.

With both teams settling into the game, they spend the next 10 minutes trading blows at the game line and with kicks for territory. Actonians come out of this phase on top with Andy Perch (9), Elliot Lucas (10) & Tom Knight (12) all pulling strings and putting our relentless forward pack into soft running channels. All this hard work earns the As an overlap in the 22 where Tom Knight (12) finds return debutant (and fan favourite) Will Rogers (14) out on the left wing. Elliot Lucas (10) gets another chance from the left touchline and slots it, 5-12 to Actonians.

The rest of the first half was back and forth, the 2 teams clearly well drilled and desperate to claim bragging rights. Huge carries from the likes of Dan Cussons (5), Paddy Heekin (2), Ronan McDonagh (13) and dominant defence from the back row, Harry Kirkham (6), George Adams (7) & Theo Taupiac (8) saw Actonians once again camped in the Ealing half. Actonians smell blood as they manipulate a tired defence to find an inside gap for Will Rogers (14) to storm through and grab his 2nd try of the day under the posts just before the half, 5-19 to Actonians at half time.

As the 2nd half kicks off, it’s clear that the home team (Ealing) are desperate to right their wrongs from the 1st half. Again, a couple of penalties give them great field position for a line out in the Actonians 22 where they manage to convert pressure into 5 points with their big number 8 crashing over from the back of a maul. 10-19 to Actonians.

Actonians hit right back with inside centre Tom Knight (12) sneaking through the line from close range, followed by the conversion from Elliot Lucas (10) making it 10-24 Actonians.

As tiredness sets in, both teams empty the benches, momentum switching back and forth. Actonians playing for territory while Ealing continue to make it a physical battle at the line. Eventually the wall breaks and Ealing see in a couple of quick tries around the 60 minute mark making the score a tense 22-26.

Actonians dig deep for the remaining 20 minutes, seeing off wave after wave of Ealings physical runners until finally get the ball back and Elliot Lucas (10) makes an incredible 50/22 kick to relive the pressure. 80 Minutes on the clock and some late drama sees the ref not award the 50/22 giving Ealing the opportunity to keep the ball and attack(albeit from their own 22). Nevertheless, Pierre Villette (5) rises out of the line out to steel the ball and Actonians are able to kick the ball dead. Final Score 22-26 to Actonians.

Victory with a bonus point keeps our promotion hopes alive as we enter the final stretch of the season.