Dragons old boy, and ex-Wales wing Will Harries, was among the visiting try scorers. After the euphoria of their 38-28 home win over Cardiff Blues a week earlier, this result brought the Dragons crashing down to earth with a resounding bump.
“I was very disappointed with the second half. Ealing were well-drilled and won the gain line, carrying harder than us,” admitted Dragons head coach Kingsley Jones.
“There were a couple of compounded errors that led to them getting momentum and some heads dropped, which was disappointing, and led to them scoring some soft tries at the end.
“It was a good test for us and there were a lot of young men making errors, but they’ve got to learn. There will be a different 30 players involved against Exeter next weekend.
“We wanted to give everyone in the squad an opportunity in the four pre-season games. We didn’t lose four league points and learnt a lost, sometimes in defeat you learn more.”
With a tough opening game in the Guinness RO12 against Ulster to build-up to, as well as the clash with Exeter Chiefs to come next weekend, this was supposed to be a chance for players to raise their hand for selection.
Ealing arrived with three former Dragons in their ranks, their new skipper Alex Walker, Will Harries and Arthur Ellis, as well as ex-Cross Keys utility back James Cordy-Redden and former Ebbw Vale supremo Alex Codling among their coaches. Those Welsh links fired-up the visitors to claim a notable scalp.
Hooker Rhys Buckley gave the Dragons the lead with a third minute try, converted by Angus O’Brien, but it didn’t take long for flanker Will Ryan to bag the first of his two tries to level matters.
Ed Jackson finished off from a driving lineout to regain the lead for the home side, but Ryan’s second score made it all square again at the break. Jonny Bentley edged Ealing ahead at the start of the second half with a penalty before Charlie Davies darted over for a third home try to make it 21-17 after 54 minutes.
But that was as good as it got for the Dragons. Ealing finished with a flourish, and 24 unanswered points, as Harries, hooker Matt Cornish, scrum half Luke Carter and prop Will Davis crossed for tries.
