LONDON Irish failed in their bid to complete the double when losing the RFU Championship Cup final 23-17 at Ealing Trailfinders on Saturday.

Having already beaten the hosts twice this season, the league runners-up gained a measure of revenge and ensured they too would end the campaign with some silverware.

It was Trailfinders who took a 13th minute lead as Seb Stegmann went over in the corner, and they could have doubled their advantage shortly after but for a wonderful cover tackle by Fergus Mulchrone.

However, Ealing did move 10-0 in front in the 21st minute, Will Harries collecting a clever grubber kick before diving over.

Having been up against it in the early stages, Irish replied just before the half-hour mark when young wing Ben Loader – who has enjoyed an excellent season – sprinted clear before Stephen Myler added the extras.

A Craig Willis penalty for the hosts was matched by one from Myler as Trailfinders went into the break leading 13-10, albeit Irish were held up over the line at the end of the half.

Ealing came out of the blocks fast at the start of the second period, and moved further ahead when David Johnston went over at the end of a period of concerted pressure. Willis converted to make it 20-10.

Irish suffered a further blow as TJ Iaone was yellow carded in the 54th minute, and with Willis adding another penalty, Trailfinders had a 13-point advantage going into the final quarter.

And while Terence Hepetema gave Exiles hope with a converted try 12 minutes from time, Declan Kidney's men were unable to complete the comeback.

London Irish: McLean, Loader, Mulchrone, Hepetema (Macken, 48-58, 75), Wiliams, Myler, Steele (McKibbin, 60); Reid (Cilliers, 60), Fainga’a (Porecki, 57), Hoskins, van der Merwe (Maddison, 65), McNally ©, Schatz, 58, Ioane, Trevirnaus (Rogerson, 55).

Unused Sub: Atkins.

Ealing: Harries (Sloan, 70), Stegmann, Johnston, Howard, Cordy Redden, Willis, Burns, Els, Walker (Cornish, 70), Millar Mills, Dickinson (Landry, 74), Casson, Murphy, Reid, Smid (c).

Unused Subs: O’Connell, Betts, Foley, May.