The Knights produced their performance of the season against second placed Ealing Trailfinders to topple the London side in emphatic fashion.

The Castle Park crowd were treated to a seven try haul as Donny recorded a half century of points in a win which incidentally confirmed Bristol’s promotion to the Premiership.

Donny got up and running after just two minutes and never looked back. Dougie Flockhart made a booming tackle on full back Luke Daniels before Jack Ram forced a turnover on the floor. With possession secured it was zipped wide where Cam Cowell showed his pace to make room for Lloyd Hayes. The centre collected possession and powered down the left touch line to fight his way home and touch down; Flockhart converted.

Their was an impressive energy to the early proceedings from both sides but it was the Knights who made it count as they registered a second before the quarter hour mark.

With Ealing looking to counter attack Aaron Penberthy hit a crossfield kick, smartly collected by Will Harries. The winger set off but Hayes gave chase and was able to track him down and force a knock on. The loose ball bounced kindly for Cam Cowell who collected and raced away untouched, Flockhart was on the money once again – 0-14.

Ealing have been known to fight back from slow starts on occasion this season and it wasn’t long before they opened their account. Consecutive penalties pinned the Knights deep into their own 22m and defending a driving line out. The forwards were able to stop the maul but once collapsed scrum half Luke Carter darted over from the base of a ruck.Daniels conversion made it a one score game.

With half time approaching and the Trailfinders starting to rumble their was a bit of unease for the home fans but what happened next swung momentum firmly in Donny’s favour for the change of ends.

Penberthy sent a looming wide pass out to his left only to be picked off by Andy Bulumakau.

The centre very quickly hit full stride as he raced out of his half with the Ealing back three in hot pursuit. As the cover defence closed in around him Andy produced some trademark Bulumakau footwork to weave through a gap and score under the sticks.

Half time score, 21-7.

Ealing began the second half with purpose but lively attacking play was met by solid Donny defence. A well-worked Knights line out, which performed superbly throughout, just inside the Ealing half was followed by purposeful running lines which created space deep in the visitors territory. With options outside him, Charlie Foley carried to the line and got himself up to the Ealing 5m line where recycled ball was spun to Bulumakau who reversed his way over the try line.

At 28-7 Donny looked in total control but any complacency was quickly quashed as Ealing gave a prompt reminder of their attacking capabilities.

A midfield break looked like it was going to lead to a try only for Cam Cowell to race back and produce a stunning cover tackle. His teammates swarmed to defend but after a couple of quick carries space was made out wide where winger James Cordy Redden collected and galloped home.

Luke Daniels added the extras and all of a sudden the game was in the balance with twenty minutes to play. Thankfully the final quarter belonged firmly to the Knights as they rallied to what turned out to be a very comfortable win.

A well-weighted grubber kick from Hayes spun Daniels on his heels to chase back deep into his own 22m. The full back was able to gather the bouncing ball but was firmly put to touch by Curtis Wilson setting up a 5m line out for the Knights. A solid drive put the Donny pack in motion but it just about halted short of the line so Jack Ram took it upon himself to breakaway and battle over.

The Knights were now playing with a real confidence and bagged another five minutes later.

A good piece of defensive work on the floor from Bulumakau brought a penalty which was put to touch just inside the Ealing 22m. The Knights played off the top and Charlie Foley produced a stunning dummy to part the Trailfinders defence a scorch over to score.

Credit must go to Ealing who continued to play attractive, attacking rugby late on and Cordy-Redden bagged his second with ten minutes on the clock – finishing a break by former KnightsOllie Stedman, 43-19.

Curtis Langdon brought up the fifty points with a couple of minutes left the play. The replacement hooker barreled his way home from close range after the pack had patiently maneuvered to within striking distance. Flockhart slotted the extras to round off a thoroughly good day at the office.

A fantastic afternoon for the Knights who can no go into the final two games of the season with a renewed confidence and optimism.

Match Statistics

Knights XV: 15) Cameron Cowell, 14) Dougie Flockhart, 13) Andy Bulumakau (Tyson Lewis 70’), 12) Lloyd Hayes, 11) Curtis Wilson, 10) Charlie Foley, 9) Tom James (Michael Heaney 70’), 1) Richard List (Jack Bergmanas 60’), 2) Ben Hunter (Curtis Langdon 70’), 23) Colin Quigley (Joe Sproston 60’), 4) Matt Challinor (Adam Batt 70’), 5) Nick Civetta, 6) Alex Shaw (Jason Hill 70’), 7) Jack Ram 8) Josh Tyrell.

Replacements: 16) Curtis Langdon, 17) Jack Bergmanas, 18) Joe Sproston, 19) Adam Batt, 20) Jason Hill, 21) Michael Heaney, 22) Tyson Lewis.

Tries; Hayes 2’, Cowell 13’, Bulumakau 34’, 49’, Ram 59’, Foley 63’, Langdon 77’

Conv; Flockhart 3’, 14’, 34’, 49’, 63’, 77’

Pens; Flockhart 67’

Ealing Trailfinders XV:15 Luke Daniels 14 Will Harries 13 Lewis Jones 12 Joe Munro 11 James Cordy Redden 10 Aaron Penberthy 9 Luke Carter 1 James Gibbons (Alex Lundberg 40’) 2 Matt Cornish (Alun Walker 54’) 3 Mark Tampin (Lewis Thiede 40’) 4 Sam Dickinson (Ollie Stedman 62’)  5 Harry Casson 6 Kieran Murphy (c) 7 Rayn Smid 8 Mark Bright

Replacements:16 Alun Walker 17 Alex Lundberg 18 Lewis Thiede 19 Ollie Stedman 20 Arthur Ellis 21 Dan Grant Adamson 22 Peter Lydon

Tries; Carter 16’, Cordy-Redden 52’, 69’

Conv; Daniels 16’, 52’

Pens;

Referee: Andrew Jackson.

Attendance: 957

Half time draw: 52877