Author Archives: Paul Clarke

Ealing Trailfinders’ rugby players showed some great skills with the bat and ball in a friendly 20-20 match against Ealing Trailfinders Cricket Club, before going down to a narrow loss on Wednesday evening.

Former Scotland U16 player Chris Kinloch led the side on a glorious evening that was punctuated by the smell of barbeque, the clinking of glasses and rapturous applause by the watching throng.

“The 20-20 match versus the cricket club was a great opportunity to integrate this season’s new signings with some fun on the field and a barbeque,” Kinloch said. “It was a great effort from the boys with the match being played in great spirits from both sides.

“There were also some awesome pieces of skill on show including Arthur Ellis’s spectacular catch and some big striking from Phil Chesters and Tom Brown.”

The cricket club went into bat first and almost immediately lost a wicket as Tom Wheatcroft’s third ball befuddled the batsman, whose shot was plucked acrobatically out of the air by former Middlesex U13 star player Arthur Ellis.

After that early set back the Cricket Club began to demonstrate their skills and by the end of the 20 overs had racked up a score of 203-6.

Still, the rugby players didn’t disgrace themselves and after Wheatcroft’s early wicket, there were other highlights to enjoy.

Morgan Thompson took a wicket when his finger spinning caught out his quarry and the umpire had no hesitation in calling him out Leg Before Wicket. Thompson then took a sharp catch as silly-mid-off from Tom Brown’s bowling; the number 8’s first wicket since his school days.

Thompson opened the batting with fellow scrum-half Tom Parker and the pair were quickly into their stride and started to rattle up the runs as they began the chase. Eventually Parker fell, but not until after the pair had taken the score over 50.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Paddy Gill came on and added a few runs, before his wicket fell and he was replaced by Tom Wheatcroft. The Leicestershire lad was as gung-ho with his batting as he was his bowling and while he survived a few dropped catches he kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Phil Chesters took over and struck up a good understanding with Thompson and for a while it appeared as though the backline pair would take the Rugby Club to a famous win before the number nine’s wicket finally fell.

Brown, Kinloch, Ellis and Andrew Henderson all added to the score, but eventually it was left to the tail-enders Carwyn and Llewelyn Jones to wag. They put up stiff resistance as many a Welshman has done on English playing fields down the years, but with only a few balls remaining and shadows lengthening the final wicket fell.

Thompson led scoring with 34, while Chesters was not far behind with 29. Overall it was an evening enjoyed by all and one that is sure to be repeated in future years.

As pre-season training gets underway, Ealing Trailfinders’ wing Phil Chesters shares his thoughts on a player’s life at the Club.

Pre-season training: Two words that sends a chill up the spine of every rugby player across the country. Making the most of the short time we have off is crucial because before you know it you are back into the swing of things. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has enjoyed a few beers and plenty of barbeque food over the past six weeks and I must just give a shout out to the Vegas crew, who all made it back in one piece… just.

We all make promises at the end of the season to do some training over the summer, whether it is some running or a few extra gym sessions, but I kept none of those promises (sorry Nick Rees).

The first couple of sessions are usually the hardest, giving the body a real shock following the off season break by going straight into TESTING.

No pain, no gain

Basically the fitness testing involves running yourself into the ground (not wanting to drop out first) until your legs and lungs can’t carry you any further and the strength testing based in the gym pretty much means you lift as much weight as you possibly can until failure – not my forte I must say, again sorry Reesy.

I have been playing at the club for five seasons, however driving through the gates for the first couple of sessions I felt a little bit more excited than I thought I would. There have been lots of changes both on and off the pitch over the off season, one of the main ones obviously being Ben Ward taking over as new the Director of Coaching (even though he is enjoying calling himself the boss a little too much).

He has some very exciting ideas and is very ambitious for not only the coming season, but seasons to come. This is evident with the squad that he has assembled, by bringing in plenty of new players, but most importantly players he believes will help drive the club forwards and help us to have a successful season.

I would like to just take this opportunity to welcome all of the new players. You are joining a fantastic club and these are exciting times for everyone involved, so get stuck in, work hard, but most of all enjoy it. Pre-season gives us the opportunity to get acquainted, push each other and bond together, so we become more than just teammates… we become mates.

The supporters will be pleased to hear that there will be plenty of social events over the coming weeks and months to not only get us through the gruelling pre-season regime, but to also allow us to interact more with you guys.

Thinking about Jack

It all starts this Wednesday evening where there is a 20:20 cricket match against Ealing Trailfinders cricket club, so get down to the club, catch up with some familiar faces, but more importantly meet some of the new players who will be running out at Vallis Way this season.

Finally I just wanted to say a brief note to some of our supporters who may remember Jack Fishwick. He played for Ealing Trailfinders for two seasons and was very popular both amongst his fellow teammates and with the supporters.

Unfortunately in March Jack suffered a life changing rugby injury which has left him currently quadriplegic. It’s obviously devastating news for all involved, and for it to happen to such an outgoing, active and full of life 26-year-old doesn’t seem fair. However against the odds Fish is fighting hard and tackling the challenges with heart and optimism, but the road ahead is long and by no means simple for him and his family.

There is a private blog that has been set up for people to follow his progress and leave him messages of support to keep him motivated on his recovery. If any of you would like to get in touch to offer your support then feel free to email me on philchesters11@gmail.com

Phil

Chris Kinloch will lead from the front when Ealing Trailfinders take on their cricketing cousins in a 20-20 match on 18 June.

It will be the first chance for Ealing Trailfinders fans to come and meet the new players and catch up with those who have signed on for the 2014-15 season.

The bar will be open and a barbeque on the go to provide refreshment for those on and off the field.

Kinloch previously played cricket for Scotland at U16 level and so is confident of helping the team hold their own in the cross-club match.

“The boys are all really up for it,” Kinloch said. “It’s a great chance to get to know each other a bit better by having a bit of a laugh alongside some friendly competition with the cricket club.

“I’ve heard good things about Tom Parker from his Millfield school days and Sean O’Connell has been bigging himself up as a bit of a pace bowler.

“I’m keeping my expectations of the game positive although if we have the chance I’ll let the cricket club bat first to allow them to play out at least half of a 20-20 game.”

The first ball is due to be fizzed down the wicket at 18.00, so come down and cheer on both teams.

Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club XI
Chris Kinloch (captain)
Tom Parker
Andrew Henderson
Tom Wheatcroft
Phil Chesters
Morgan Thompson
Sean O’Connell
Tom Brown
Paddy Gill
Carwyn Jones
Llewelyn Jones
Reserves
Ben Ward
Matt Smith

Ealing Trailfinders have bolstered their pack with the double signing of the Jones twins – Carwyn and Llewelyn.

The Welsh pair move to W13 from the Scarlets and will bring a physical presence to the pack.

Second-row Carwyn is the slightly bigger of the pair, standing at 6’6” and weighing 18 stone 12 pounds. Llewelyn meanwhile is 6’5”, tips the scales at 18 stone, 1 and can play either second-row, number 8 or blindside flank.

Both of the Haverfordwest-born players have been involved in the Wales U20 set up and Carwyn played in the Wales team that lost to England in the 2013 IRB U20 World Championship final.

Last season Carwyn was part of the Scarlets squad and played for Carmarthen Quins in the Principality Premiership, while Llewelyn was a member of the academy and ran out for Llandovery.

“Carwyn and Llewelyn are both big and very physical lads,” Director of Coaching Ben Ward said. “They are good lineout operators and have the ability run this area.

“Llewelyn is also able to play at 6 and 8. They will provide more competition to the squad and have been playing for two of the teams who finished in the top four in the Principality Premiership in Wales. They have great ambitions in the game and I’m looking forward to seeing them in an Ealing Trailfinders shirt this season.”