Scottish trailed Ealing 5-19 early in the second half, but an impressive fightback secured an excellent victory in this final group game in the LV Cup competition.
Scottish got off to a flying start with open-side flanker Ross making two lung-bursting breaks to put pressure on the visitors. With five minutes on the clock it was no surprise that Scottish took the lead when, after four phases of play, Gary put his fellow centre Harry into space. A sweet dummy from Harry allowed him to glide past the last defender and touch down for the first score.
Ealing came storming back and their pressure on the Scottish defence eventually told with a score out wide to level the scores at 5-5 with 13 minutes on the clock.
Both sides continued to create pressure but there were also frustrating errors which resulted in few scoring opportunities through the rest of the first half.
However, it was Ealing that scored late in the first period when a penalty was awarded five metres from the Scottish line. Again the first drives were resisted but eventually the pressure told when one of the Ealing forwards smashed through for a score. The conversion followed and Ealing went into half-time 5-12 to the good.
The second half started in the worst possible manner for the hosts. Five defenders missed a simple tackle on an Ealing runner and this was punished with a score under the posts. Ealing converted to go into a 5-19 lead and a worrying score line for the Scottish coaches.
However, Scottish switched back on and within a couple of minutes secured an attacking scrum in the Ealing 22. No 8 Bruce, who impressed throughout, picked up and took the ball deep into the red zone. An offload to Demi, and then quick hands to Bola kept the move alive. Gary was on-hand to take Bola’s pass and spin out of the tackle and touch down for a try. Gary converted his own score to bring the score to 12-19.
With just eight minutes of the second half gone, Scottish scored the best try of the day. Ealing spilled the ball in the Scottish 22 and Demi pounced. He jinked his way to the Scottish 10 metre line and he then fed Bruce who made good ground into the Ealing half. Brandon ran a perfect support line and, in impressive fashion, sprinted clear of the defence for a key score. Scottish were now just two points in arrears and the match was back in the balance.
Another surge from Scottish saw them go close again. This time Harry put full-back Josh into space and he was bundled into touch as he was diving for the line. From the ensuing 5-metre line-out, Ealing overthrew and Ross was the quickest to react, for the simplest of scores. 22-19 to Scottish.
With the game entering the final minutes it was Scottish that looked the stronger. Ka-cie, Will, Sam and Robert continued to battle up front and David, Taino and Jack were tenacious in both attack and defence.
Another attack down the right, set up a final foray into the Ealing 22. When the Ealing defence was penalised the desire to take a quick tap was resisted and the option of going for the posts was taken. Gary kicked for a 25-19 lead. Scottish secured the kick-off and, after another controlled phase of play, cleared the ball into touch to confirm a fine win.
Ethan Edwards-Haye; Will Stewart; Isaac Koomson (Capt.); Tawanda Nambureti; Charlie Kelly; Sam Bastille; Ka-cie Addison; Robert Tapu; Bola Docemu; Brandon Babola; Bruce Moffat; Ross Ludlow; Alex Wilson; Demi Ajeigbe; Iain Rees; Gary Hardy; Harry Montgomery; David Semu; Liam Cameron; Josh Ferguson; Jack Bartrip; Taino Govea.
