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Harlequins beat west London neighbours Ealing Trailfinders 38-33 in a breathless Premiership Rugby Cup affair at Twickenham Stoop to go top of Pool C.
In the teams’ first competitive meeting, Championship high-flyers Ealing went ahead after 53 seconds when fly-half Dan Jones rolled over to score following an uncharacteristic mistake by England international Will Joseph at the kick-off.
Quins quickly clicked into gear soon after though, showing their Premiership class with tries from captain Tom Lawday, Cameron Anderson and Jamie Benson racing the hosts into a 21-5 lead.
Ealing refused to lie down, however, and winger Tom Collins finished an excellent move following a quick ball out the back of the hands from last Saturday’s match-winner against Saracens, Reuben Bird-Tulloch.
Minutes later, Trailfinders hooker Matt Cornish finished his own line-out following a successful maul to dive over and leave the visitors trailing at half-time by just two points.
The visitors lost their discipline in the second half and minutes after the break a penalty try was rewarded to Quins whilst Trailfinders’ lock Will Montgomery was sent to the sin bin.
A late shot from Kyle Whyte left the visitors down to 13 men for 10 minutes and Quins took advantage seconds later when George Hammond dived over near the sticks after an excellent team move.
After Montgomery returned to the field, the visitors reduced the arrears after Collins was able to juggle Jones’ pass to score his second of the game.
Deep into injury time, Ealing hooker Cameron Terry fired in a low line-out to centre Jordan Holgate to earn the visitors’ fifth try as the match ended with just five points separating the sides.
