Richmond director of rugby Steve Hill has admitted his men are yet to learn the harsh lessons they are being dealt in the Championship.
Richmond suffered a sixth straight defeat of the season as they crashed 38-12 reverse in front of 1,100 fans and the Sky Sports cameras at the Athletic Ground on Sunday.
Henry Cheeseman gave the hosts a 5-0 lead, but that was as good as it got as Ealing romped home to the bonus point win desite Sam Stuart crossing for Richmond in the second half.
"I was really pleased with the first thirty minutes of the game where we put Ealing under pressure and scored an excellent try," said Hill.
"Our scrum was solid throughout the game and we made good inroads into their defensive line.
"Yet again we find that forced and unforced errors are punished quickly at this level.
"Ealing are a strong side and they took quick advantage of the mistakes we committed."
With Ali Lyon rock solid at tight head, the home forwards got the early shove at the set scrum but were less consistent at the line out.
An early opportunity was lost when a line kick from a penalty went dead, the first of three kicks similarly wasted. However, Richmond settled to the task and after fifteen minutes, initiated a good move down the blindside after a scrum near half way.
Rory Damant, welcomed back at fly half after injury, created the initial momentum before good handling gave Henry Cheeseman the chance to batter his way within a couple of metres of the line.
When Ealing killed the follow up ball, flanker Willie Ryan was given a yellow card.
Richmond were held up in the next play and opted for another scrum, when the visitors were penalised.
This time a neat blindside move saw Chris Davies, Jason Phipps and Ronnie McLean-Dents combine beautifully to create space for Cheeseman on the far right.
The powerful winger did well to stop and go before touching down in the corner for a 5-0 lead.
Having worked really well to earn the early lead, Richmond conceded it within a minute.
The high kick off sailed over the jumpers’ heads and Ealing were much quicker to react, with England Sevens winger James Cordy-Redden giving a simple pass to Aled Jenkins for the softest of tries.
Five minutes later, the visitors took the lead.
After Trailfinders won possession at a line out, Richmond had the opportunity to clear but the visitors maintained the pressure and, despite some stout defence, gradually worked an overlap on the far right.
Corby-Redden ran clear from fifteen metres and Aaron Penberthy added a good conversion.
The consistently industrious McLean-Dents now made a barnstorming run into the 22 but he lacked support and the ball was lost.
By contrast, Ealing took their chance when they set up close to the home 22.
Harry Casson claimed the line out ball and a simple inside pass from the excellent Penberthy sent Joe Munro running at pace past the unavailing tackle of a front five forward to touch down under the posts. Penberthy’s conversion took the half time score to 5-19.
Richmond needed a good start to the second half to get back into the game but instead conceded two more tries in the first ten minutes.
Richmond ran the ball purposefully out of defence but two runners got in each other’s way to concede a penalty for blocking.
Ealing kicked to within ten metres, Carwyn Jones claimed the line out ball and Ealing worked the phases till man of the match busy scrum half Alex Walker had space to complete the try.
With Richmond frustratingly missing touch from their penalty, Trailfinders soon showed how it was done and from a five metre line out, scored their fifth try after creating a big overlap for Will Harries.
With Will Warden leading by constant example, Richmond had their moments and Lynn set up one opportunity after fielding a chip and chase from Penberthy.
However Arthur Ellis cleared the danger and the moment was lost. Richmond had enough possession but struggled to find a way past the rock solid defence.
However, after twenty minutes, substitute Rob Kirby made full use of a penalty to get his forwards within ten metres. From the line out, the pack worked together well to splinter the Ealing defence, Sam Stuart finally breaking clear to touch down wide out.
Kirby converted with aplomb but it was his side’s final score.
In defence, Richmond did well to hold out to the 78th minute before another soft try was conceded.
When they tried one last attack from their 22, the miss pass was telegraphed and intercepted by a grateful Luke Carter, Ben’s Ward conversion taking the final score to a harsh 12-38.
Team: R.Lynn(R.Kirby), W.Browne , R.McLean-Dents, C.Mitchell, H.Cheeseman(C.Broughton), R.Damant, S.Stuart(J.Gibbs) ,J.Cunnew(T.Walford) , J.Phipps(R.Grimstone)), A.Lyon (A.Wood), W.Warden, M.Corker(A.Peters), S.South, C.Davies, J. Allcock.
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