Author Archives: Paul Clarke

Forward duo awaiting clash with old friends

While the whole of the Ealing Trailfinders squad will be looking forward to the visit of Cornish Pirates on Saturday, for two players in particular the visit of the side from the Duchy holds particular relevance.

Number 8 Mat Evans and prop forward Ryan Storer both joined Ealing from the Pirates, Evans in 2010 and Storer this year and both have happy memories of their time in the south-west.

Ryan Storer is expecting a tough battle

“I was at the Pirates for six seasons and loved every minute,” Evans said. “While at school I was offered a sports scholarship at Hartpury College, I went to Worcester in my final year of my degree before being offered the great opportunity to move down to Penzance in 2004.

“I met some amazing people whilst at the Pirates and played in great teams whilst there. The support is unrivalled in Cornwall. The Cornish community live and breathe their rugby.”

The Pirates arrive at Vallis Way having slipped to a 27-20 loss to Leeds Carnegie following their opening weekend 23-21 win over Greene King IPA Championship favourites Bristol Rugby.

As a team with big ambitions of growing as a club and eventually reaching the Premiership, the defeat was a heavy blow. Saturday’s match will be the first time that Cornish Pirates have played at Vallis Way and the Trailfinders’ squad is well aware that they can’t afford to repeat their mistakes from their opening two defeats against London Scottish and Rotherham Titans.

“They’re going to come down and try to do a job on us,” Storer said. “They lost to Leeds last week, so they are going to try and put things right. I expect it will be a hell of a battle.

“For the first 20 minutes we showed we can be at this level, but we must be consistent in our performances and if you don’t make your tackles in this league, you find yourself under the posts as we did at the weekend.”

Evans was part of a successful team at Pirates that won the EDF Cup in 2007 and 2009 before arriving in W13 to help the team to promotion from National 2 south and then National 1.

For now the Pirates play in Penzance at The Mennaye Field, but the club is hoping to construct a purpose-built 10,000 stadium in Truro that will allow them to meet Premiership-qualification criteria and allow the club and county to fulfill their potential.

“I hope they are able to erect a stadium in Cornwall,” Evans said. “It has been a bump in the road for numerous years and for the sake of their loyal partisan fans, they deserve seeing their players doing their stuff in a facility that warrants their support.

“Rugby is massive down there and there will be no problem filing a stadium. Cornish rugby is steeped in history and it would be great for English league rugby if they were able to play at a stadium fit for Premiership purpose.”

Mat Evans has enjoyed success at both Ealing Trailfinders and Cornish Pirates

Academy U18 advance in National Colts Cup

Teddington v Ealing Trailfinders Academy won 56 – 8

The first round of the National Colts Cup pitched Ealing Trailfinders Academy against Teddington so we travelled to Bushy Park with high hopes of a good performance to get us underway.

The tone for the day was set from early on with some powerful running from No8 Marcus Lowe and winger Louis Walker and it was from one of these runs that Walker crossed for the first try of the day.

Poor discipline and inaccurate play allowed Antlers to gain field position and notch 3 points on the board. Trailfinders were woken by the score and there followed some fine expansive running rugby, forwards and backs interacted and we looked dangerous with every possession, tries followed for Lowe, Luk, Shahabi and a second for Walker before the half ended

The main focus at half time was about addressing our penalty count which was far too high for a team so dominant.

Despite the chat the second half started with 3 consecutive penalties pining us on our own line and leading to us conceding a try.

A return of focus allowed us to regain the upper hand and once again play some attractive rugby, forwards carried with purpose and some good decisions saw further tries from scrum half George Hawkins, Oscar Avis, a second for Yousef Shahabi and a hat trick for Walker. Kaine Wright finished up the scoring with the 10^th try of the day.

Despite the score line, all agreed there is more to come from the squad, some improvement can be made on our decision making and accuracy and we cannot continue to give teams possession and territory from penalties.

Next week sees us travel to Aldershot to take on the Army Academy Development team and with a Sunday fixture to be confirmed, plenty of game time awaits

Lots to work on so can’t wait to see you at training!

Ealing Trailfinders Academy

Steadman, Shahabi, Clarke, Day, Walker, Luk, Hawkins, Lowe, Leonard-Fox, Avis, Beaumont, Wake, Nash, Hitchcock, Wells

Replacements

Czop, Riordan, Beavis, McCormack, Wright, Kozyritskiy, Enoch-Gill

Scorers

Tries – Walker 3, Shahabi 2, Lowe, Hawkins, Avis, Luk, Wright,

Conversions – Steadman, Luk, Hawkins

Academy A team come out on top in local derby

Ealing Trailfinders Academy A v Ruislip U18 won 36-13

On a wet day on a Sunday afternoon, a little lack of focus was detected in the Ealing squad but that was quickly put right and this showed within a minute of the kick off.

Ealing kicked off and chased down the ball and turned it over. With quick ball delivered to 9 and a reverse attack to fly half Yun Shun Luk who chipped into the left corner, a good chase by winger Yousef Shahabi and a perfect bounce up into his arms and we were over for a 5 – 0 lead within a minute.

A great start and from then on the focus remained spot on. Our game process was solid, it was working and paying dividends. Fly half Yun Shun Luk was working in space and distributing well. Our No 8 Marcus Lowe and back row were gaining ground at every opportunity and we were easily the dominant force.

All this lead to another try when we were pressing in the opposition 22. The game process had got a bit scrappy but we got ourselves back into shape. A couple of short attacks created the space for our Marcus Lowe to go over on the third phase for try, converted by Luk to make the score 12 – 0.

Ruislip however were not to be denied and we saw that if you let them play they will. They kept in the game with a penalty and try of their own with some strong forward play.

However, because of our dominance and having set the pattern with our game process, this gave our Fly half time and space to run the game and produce a brilliant display. Individual skill and vision saw Yun score a further two tries and two conversions. His second try was special. Stepping four players and powering through another to score.

For the second half we made several changes in the backs and a couple in the forwards. Unfortunately the second half was strewn with error. We worked hard to keep our focus but too many dropped or poor passes not going to hand meant that we just couldn’t get going.

Ruislip also upped their game and pressured us for the first part of the second half with some strong forward play they pressed our line. Despite some great Ealing defence the wall finally gave way for another Ruislip score. 26 – 13.

As the half went on we did start to gain momentum but again the errors were still there, we managed to get over the line twice more before the end. Marcus Lowe not wishing to be out done by Yun scoring both late tries for his hat trick.

The scrum was dominant and solid all day and we didn’t lose a single line out with the forwards driving very well. Our lines of running were much better than last week with some very pleasing and eye catching play. Our composure was good all game, but we have to look to eliminate some of the errors from the second half.

Squad:

Enoch-Gill, Shahabi, Wright, McBride, Kozyritskiy, Luk, Hawkins, Higgins, Riordan, Wells, Adamah, Beaumont, Cox, Beavis, Lowe,

Replacements

Clarke, Walker, Fenner, Davids, Samms, Ivey.

Scores

Lowe 3, Luk 2, Shahabi

Cons:

Luk 3

Cudmore and co. staying positive ahead of Cornish Pirates visit

Ealing Trailfinders director of rugby Mike Cudmore is staying positive despite suffering a second loss of the season, against Rotherham Titans on Saturday.

Andy Hall scored all Ealing’s points with three penalties in the 79-9 defeat and while the team came close to scoring on a number of occasions, they were unable find a way through the Yorkshire side’s defence.

“We were in the match in the first and second half for certain periods of the game and did a lot of things well,” Cudmore said. “We did not look after our possession well enough when we had it though and in defence let in some soft tries. What we need to do now is concentrate on putting on an 80 minute performance and test the opposition to the full.

“I was delighted to see that the boys never gave up though. Others teams may have thrown in the towel, but it says a lot for the character of our team that they continued to battle for the entire match.”

There were four changes and one tactical switch to the team that had opened the season against London Scottish at Allianz Park.

Flanker Alex Bradley was one of the new faces and caught the eye with a strong showing in trying circumstances.

“I don’t like to pick out players too often, but I was delighted with Alex Bradley’s performance,” Cudmore said. “He really stepped up on his debut for the club and put in an excellent performance that really did him enormous credit. He is a young lad and still learning the game, but showed he belongs at this level.”

Next up for Trailfinders is the visit of Cornish Pirates, who opened with a win over Bristol Rugby, but then slipped to a loss to Leeds Carnegie.

“We know that we face another tough test at home to Cornish Pirates, but that is the nature of this league,” Cudmore added. “We know what we have to do to improve and we will be working hard all week in training to ensure that we can be as competitive as can be on the day.”

REPORT: Ealing Trailfinders 9-79 Rotherham Titans

Ealing Trailfinders left South Yorkshire empty-handed after Rotherham Titans scored 10 tries on their way to a 79-9 win.

Fullback Andy Hall scored all Trailfinders’ points from the kicking tee, but Rotherham were in confident mood after their opening weekend win over Moseley and their victory takes them top of the Greene King IPA Championship.

Inside centre Juan Pablo Socino led the way with for the hosts with a personal haul of 34 points. The Argentine inside-centre had a perfect kicking afternoon as he knocked over 10 conversions, three penalties and ran in a try.

Ealing started well and Hall’s three penalties kept the visitors in contention at 16-9 after the first half-hour. However, the Titans ran in three tries before half-time to go in 37-9 ahead.

In the second half Trailfinders came close to scoring midway through the half but lost control of the ball close to the line. Rotherham added a further six tries and Ealing didn’t stop trying to find a way to the line they were unable to find a way through the home team’s stubborn defence.

Ealing’s next fixture is their first home match of the season against Cornish Pirates next Saturday, 28 September with kick-off at 15.00.

Clifford given first Ealing Trailfinders start

Ealing Trailfinders director of rugby Mike Cudmore has handed a first Greene King IPA Championship start to England U20 captain Jack Clifford for the trip away to Rotherham Titans on Saturday.

The 20-year-old who led England to the U20 world title this year is currently on loan from Harlequins and played 32 minutes in the second half of the opening match of the season against London Scottish at Allianz Park.

The Brisbane-born player will start at Number 8, with Thomas ‘TJ’ Anderson moving to blindside. Alex Bradley meanwhile begins on the openside.

In total there are four changes to the team that lost their opener 44-13 to the Exiles. As well as Clifford and Bradley, Steve Pape joins team captain Adam Preocanin in the second row and Billy Robinson starts on the left-wing.

“We know that the trip up to Rotherham Titans will be a tough one and we have made some changes to the squad which we feel are important for us to challenge them. Also the players that missed out last week are very hungry and looking forward to showing all what they have to offer,” Cudmore said.

“It is going to be a long season ahead, so it makes sense to ensure that we utilise the squad to the full.”

Ealing Trailfinders RC v Rotherham Titans (A), Saturday, 21 September, 15.00

15. Andy Hall
14. Sam Wardingley
13. Chris Kinloch
12. Tom Bedford
11. Billy Robinson
10. Ben Ward
9. Stuart Commins
1. Ryan Storer
2. Karl Gibson
3. Tim Brockett
4. Adam Preocanin (captain)
5. Steve Pape
6. TJ Anderson
7. Alex Bradley
8. Jack Clifford

16. Richard Townsend
17. Conor Carey
18. Jordan Saunders
19. Matt Evans
20. Ed Siggery
21. Tom Parker
22. Andrew Henderson

Wing Billy Robinson is one of four new faces in the team to face Rotherham Titans

AGM 14th October 2013

Dear Club Member

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 14^th October 2013 at Trailfinders Sports Club commencing at 7.00pm.

The purpose of this meeting is:

Consider and approve the accounts for the 2011/2012 season.

A Q and A will then follow to discuss any other matters.

Graham Taylor
Hon Secretary

Hall happy to make history, but is now ready to help team kick on

It didn’t take fullback Andy Hall long to make history by becoming the first Ealing Trailfinders player to score in the Greene King IPA Championship, but now that he has written his name in the history books he is ready to help the team move up the table.

The clock at Allianz Park was hovering around the one minute, 30 mark when he opened the scoring against London Scottish with a penalty out on the right. However, like all the squad he was disappointed that the Exiles fought back to win 44-13.

“It still hasn’t sunk in, it was just another game and they said take the points, so I had a shot and didn’t think about it at all; it was just another game,” Hall said.

“It was straight from the kickoff, so it was good to get early points on the board but I think they scored back pretty quickly so we didn’t hold the lead that long, but we’ll work on that in the coming weeks.”

Hall finished the match with a personal haul of eight points after adding a second first-half penalty and by converting Phil Chesters’ try.

The 22-year-old was in confident mood with the boot and even went for an audacious long-range kick five metres into his own half just after half-time. The kick dropped just short, but he admits he would have no problem trying something similar in other matches.

“It was just outside the 10, near the touchline,” he said. “It was a good wind and the pitch was great to kick on, it was a very nice ground. It was even and you always knew where your foot would land, which is a bit different to grass.

“We went up there on Monday night to train and did a bit of training to find my range and I kicked one from the 10 inside my own half, so I knew I had it. I wouldn’t go for it if I didn’t think I had it in me.”

Hall joined Ealing over the summer from Loughborough Students having graduated with a degree in economics. He has slotted into life in W13 and alongside another former Loughborough Student player Chris Kinloch is running the community program, taking rugby into nearby primary schools.

Having got their first match in the Championship under their belts the Newcastle native is certain that he and his teammates showed enough promise against London Scottish to suggest better results will come as the season continues.

“At 20 to go we were in it,” he said. “I think we were losing by 10 points, but then there were just a few sloppy mistakes that they capitalised on and at this level if you make mistakes the difference from the league below is that they will score and you will get punished.

“The last few years Ealing have gone through the league going into games expecting to win every game they’ve gone into and always being the favourites. Now we’ll be going into most games as the underdogs, so I think it’s a bit of a change of mindset, but I think we’ll adapt quickly, we’re a good bunch.”

Academy continue winning ways

Tring v Ealing Trailfinders Academy won 33 – 10

Grey skies welcomed the Academy to Cow Lane this week but the overcast and showery conditions didn’t dampen the first half enthusiasm of the young Trailfinders.

2 converted tries in the first 12 minutes were just reward for a powerful start, outside centre Celyn Beynon opened his account for the season with a fine effort cutting inside the Tring defence to score under the sticks, Chico U’Chong quickly joined him on the scoreboard and converted both.

Poor discipline from Ealing saw Tring advance down filed and a well organised driving lineout drove us back over our line and reduced the deficit to !4-5.

The last 10minutes of the half saw good structure and dominant forward play backed up by incisive running in the backs and 3 tries scored. Tyler Bush, Giuseppe Salustri and a second for U’Chong as well as 2 conversions meant Ealing Trailfinders finished an impressive half 33-5 to the good.

The second half was less impressive, poor discipline allowed Tring to peg us back in our own 22, resolute defence kept them to 1 unconverted try but a lack of quality and accuracy meant no further score for the Academy.

We will look for a repeat of the first half performance and not the second as we move forward into League and Cup campaigns next week

Lots to work on so can’t wait to see you at training!

Ealing Trailfinders Academy

Dewick, Asante, Beynon, Day, Woodruffe, Steadman, U’Chong, Salustri, Bush, Avis, Arnett, Wake, Nash, Hitchcock, Chamnaoui

Replacements

Gore, Leonard-Fox, Farrell

Scorers

Tries – U’Chong 2, Beynon, Bush, Salustri

Conversions – U’Chong 4

Academy U18 off to winning start

Fullerians v Ealing Trailfinders Academy U18 won 19 – 10

An Ealing Trailfinders Academy U18 squad of 27 players arrived at Fullerians on a slightly cooler and wetter day than we have been used to recently and after a very productive pre-season the rugby season and the first match had finally arrived.

Fullerians were on the front foot from the kick off and after a string of early mistakes by Ealing they took the lead after only two minutes. 5 – 0.

After that Ealing started to find their feet but the mistake count remained high. This meant that any good progress we made was nullified by a keen and quicker Fullerians side who continued to benefit from our mistakes, gaining back valuable ground that we had worked hard to take.

That remained the pattern for the rest of the session and although Ealing were working hard, nothing seemed to be clicking. However, you always had the feeling that if it did then we would start to run away with things.

With so many players to get game time we started the second period with only three players playing from period one and in the same position. This potentially could have been disruptive and our accuracy and intensity could have worsened.

None of it. Immediately we were a different team. All the half time talk of intensity, accuracy, space etc was now coming into our game. Running lines into space and off loads were now sticking. This was what we had been waiting for.

It only took one minute to score our first try and from then we were completely dominant. Attacking from all areas of the pitch, hitting space, off loading and intensity all combined to see us score another two trys in this period.

This is where the number of players did start to disrupt us a little. Another massive change in personnel saw us just step off the gas a little. Saying that our scrum had been solid all day and continued to be effective. Our defensive work was good with one passage of great attacking play by Fullerians right on our line, we managed to hold them out and finally clear our lines. The lineout continued to function so at the end lots of positives to takes away. The score in this session was 0 – 0 right up to the last minute when Fullerians just managed to work an overlap wide and score with thirty seconds to go. 5 – 0.

All in all a good day. Always good to get the first one out of the way and especially with a win.

Some great individual performances with some players playing out of position. Many thanks to those guys and well done to you.

A lot of good team play, just need a little more accuracy and consistency but that will come.

Squad

Steadman, Walker, Samms, Day, Kozyritskiy, Luk, Tom Bassett, Wells, Hitchcock, Nash, Cox, Wake, Avis, McCormack, Lowe, Shahabi, Clark, Davids, Hawkins, Czop, March, Beaumont, Beavis, Bush, Jones, Barton, Higgins.