JERSEY Reds were denied a historic league and cup double as arch-rivals Ealing Trailfinders gained a measure of revenge with a 35-31 win in the Championship Cup final.
After a neck-and-neck first half, the home-side put in a dominant second 40 minutes at their Vallis Way ground to overcome the recently-crowned champions to win their their Championship Cup in a row.
Four second-half tries by Ealing gave them a firm grip on the game and despite a spirited late rally from the Reds they were unable to overturn the deficit.
Welsh winger Jonah Holmes scored at the start of either half for Ealing with back-rower Jack Digby, centre Max Bodilly and prop George Davis also scoring in the second-half.
Harvey Biljon’s Reds never gave up, with inside-centre Jordan Holgate and winger Ben Wollett getting their second tries in the final few minutes. Hooker TJ Harris also scored for the Islanders in the first-half, but Reds’ ultimately suffered their third defeat in West London this season.
Full report and reaction in Monday’s JEP.
