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Jersey Reds gave it their all but were denied a historic league and cup double on Saturday, as arch-rivals Ealing Trailfinders edged them out with a 35-31 win in the Championship Cup final.
Welsh international Jonah Holmes scored a brace for the West Londoners, followed by tries from Jack Digby, Max Bodilly and George Davis as Ealing made it a hat-trick of Championship Cups on home turf.
Reds were relentless in their ambition with Ben Woollett and Jordan Holgate each scoring twice and TJ Harris touching down in his swansong game but they were behind throughout.
Pictured: The Jersey players with their silver medals applaud as Ealing go up to receive the trophy during the Ealing Trailfinders V Jersey Reds RFU Championship Cup final rugby match. (Garry Bowden)
Inside centre Holgate said: "A disappointing result to end our season but I can’t be more proud of the boys for what we’ve achieved this year, and I’m super proud of the performances we’ve put in week in, week out.
"Unfortunately, we came up short as a team but that’s sport.
"We didn’t want to sit back at any point, we tried to force our own game on them and in parts we did that."
Unlucky Guys but what an incredible season @JerseyRedsRugby. Such a special achievement winning the Championship ???? Enjoy the Break and here is to another successful season ahead for Jersey Rugby ???? https://t.co/13zsf9MZ2s
— Jersey Rugby Club (@JerseyRFC) May 14, 2023
He continued: "There was very little difference out there – it felt like a massive battle between two teams with waves at either end but we fell short."
Ealing described the game as an "incredible battle", telling their rivals: "You pushed us all the way until the final whistle and it feels fitting that we've both ended the season with a trophy each!"
Incredible battle today @JerseyRedsRugby! You pushed us all the way until the final whistle and it feels fitting that we've both ended the season with a trophy each!
— Ealing Trailfinders (@ealingtfrugby) May 13, 2023
Enjoy the break and we look forward to going head-to-head again next year!
Penalties conceded: 14 (Ealing Trailfinders), 12 (Jersey Reds)
Lineouts won: 18 (ET), 14 (JR)
Lineouts lost: 0 (ET), 4 (JR)
Scrums won: 3 (ET), 6 (JR)
Scrums lost: 0 (ET), 1 (JR)
Sin bins/Reds: 0/0 (ET), 1/0 (JR)
Pictured top: Jordan Holgate (Jersey) dives in to score the fourth Jersey try during the Ealing Trailfinders V Jersey Reds RFU Championship Cup final rugby match on Saturday 13 May 2023. (Garry Bowden)
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