Ealing 17 Doncaster Knights 17: Ollie Stedman's double not enough for Doncaster

Doncaster had been hoping to keep pace with leaders Bristol but are now 10 points adrift in second ahead of Saturday’s crucial derby with fourth-placed Yorkshire Carnegie.

Knights fly-half Simon Humberstone saw his late drop goal attempt to win it charged down by Alex Walker as the visitors’ relentless pressure at the end came to nothing.

The home side, who climbed away from the foot of the table, took a surprise lead when winger Phil Chesters soon raced in.

Doncaster were playing into the wind but steadied themselves and got their rewards.

No 8 Stedman, who scored a hat-trick in the previous week’s win against Rotherham, powered over in the 35th minute following Michael Heaney’s quick penalty tap and Humberstone improved.

Then, just before the break, hooker Ben Hunter battled over following a patient maul for a 12-5 interval lead.

Ealing hit back on the counter-attack just after the hour mark when Rhys Crane wiggled over, Ben Ward converting, and took the lead via centre Danny Barnes in the 66th minute.

Doncaster applied the pressure and Stedman crossed after a 13-man maul but Humberstone could not convert.

Ealing Trailfinders: Stanley; Crane, Barnes, Howley-Berridge, Chesters; Ward, Alex Walker; Davis, Alun Walker, Penny, Carwyn Jones, Preocanin, Grieve, Ellis, York. Replacements: Porter, Lawrence, Rodman, Llewleyn Jones, Kenny, Reay, Wilson.

Doncaster Knights: Jarvis; Bulumakau, Clark, Hurrell, Lewis; Humberstone, Heaney; List, Hunter, Quigley, Challinor, Phelan (Hotson 62), Makaafi (Owen 62), Shaw, Stedman. Replacements: Stagg, Sproston, John, Hotson, Owen, Bryant, Field.