Ealing Trailfinders 38 Doncaster Knights 15: Knights' play-off hopes dashed in London

Doncaster Knights’ faint hopes of reaching the Greene King IPA Championship play-off final were ended by a 38-15 defeat at league leaders Ealing Trailfinders.

By Paul Goodwin

Published 22nd May 2021, 19:45 BST

Doncaster Knights lost at Ealing Trailfinders in their penultimate match of the delayed 2020/21 season. Photo: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Steve Boden’s side required a bonus point win against the big-spending Londoners to maintain hopes of an unlikely appearance in the season finale.

They got off to a flying start as they led 10-0 after eight minutes courtesy of Guido Volpi’s converted try and a Sam Olver penalty.

But Ealing gradually found their feet and made their quality tell as they fought back to lead 14-10 at half time and, after briefly falling behind again to a Will Holling try, pulled away to secure a comfortable victory.

Elsewhere second-placed Saracens won 73-0 at Coventry to seal their place in the final against Ealing.

Knights will be hoping to wrap up a third place finish when they bring the curtain down on the shortened season at home to Nottingham on Saturday.