Author Archives: Paul Clarke

Watch some of the top moments from this National League 1 winning season. Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV 41 v 17 Coventry final game.

Ealing Trailfinders ran in 10 tries on their way to blitzing Cambridge 64-32 at Grantchester Road. Ealing Trailfinders cruised into a 54-11 lead before a spirited Cambridge fight-back saw the hosts outscore the league champions 21-10 in the final half-hour of the game.

Ealing Trailfinders had the air of champions as they confidently opened the scoring with Number 8 Sam Shires the beneficiary of an excellent Ealing Trailfinders driving maul, before Owen Bruynseels sneaked in at the right-hand corner, Thomas Wheatcroft converting both scores. Cambridge remained in touching distance thanks to two penalty kicks from the boot of fly-half Albert Portsmouth, but the Blood and Sand knew the evitable attacking onslaught would be unrelenting. Ealing Trailfinders merciless try-scoring was evident on a day perfect for enterprising rugby as they raced in four further scores in a clinical 16 minute period. Forwards and backs combined effortlessly in a high-tempo off-load game that had the hosts’ defence bamboozled. Tries from Richard Townsend, Adam Preocanin, Andrew Henderson and former Cambridge star player Wheatcroft launched the Trailfinders into a 40-6 lead. Against the run of play, Cambridge centre Martin Freeman showed his pace and power as he burst through the Ealing Trailfinders defence to score his team’s first try of the day. However, normal service resumed when Bruynseels finished his second try well to send the Ealing Trailfinders into half-time leading 47-11.

The opening stages of the second half reflected the contrasting league positions of both clubs as Ealing Trailfinders showed glimpses of Championship quality, while Cambridge’s thoughts were evidently on life in National 2. Henderson’s second try of the game extended Ealing Trailfinders lead to 54-11 and emphasised a position of total dominance for the visitors. Cambridge, coached by former All Black flanker Craig Newby, demonstrated the resilient character instilled by the Kiwi to launch a determined fight-back when all was lost in the game. Pat Tapley began scoring proceedings for the hosts when he dived over from close range before Portsmouth, orchestrator of all things good for Cambridge, made light work of Ealing Trailfinders defence to jink his way to the line. As had been the case all season, Ealing Trailfinders took their scoring opportunities with ruthless efficiency as Shires scored his second before Bruynseels completed his hat-trick for the day, extending Ealing Trailfinders lead to 64-25. Cambridge number 8 Steve Hipwell had the last say when he added a fourth try for the Blood and Sand in the 79th minute of play.

This Saturday is the last game on the 2012/13 National League 1 campaign for Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club, we are pleased to say it is at home in Vallis Way, Ealing. We would like everyone to come and share what will be a historic day for the club. There are lots happening on the day for all the family so come on down and join the celebrations of winning promotion to the Championship.

Well I pen these words with a very foggy head!!!….What a night what a weekend and what a season….Well done to Mike Kieran and Wardy and all the Boys who have made promotion to the Championship a reality. The emotion at the final whistle was amazing. It was great to see Phil Chesters yesterday and on the road to recovery. I got two man hugs from Mike Gooley (without who’s sponsorship we couldn’t have done it)…so I know he was happy!!!! Highlight for me was Dave Higgins tackling Mascot bear!!! But Dave you need to get lower!!! Thanks for all the support from the green army yet again…the boys really appreciate your support and hope to see you against Cambridge away (the hog roast is amazing!!!) on Sat or against Coventry at home the following week (Ale Fest!!!!!!!!) for the last game of the season.

So to the game coming up away against the “Blood and Sand” so named for the colour of their kit . Cambridge RUFC was formed in 1923 and was settled in its current ground by the 1950s. In 1993 the Club was offered the opportunity to buy the lease on its existing three pitches and to buy adjoining land for a further three pitches from King’s College. Floodlights were added to one of these pitches in 2003 so that evening games might be played. Cambridge lie bottom of the table and will be plying their trade in Two South next season having had a tough season. This seasons leagues top points scorer is our own Tom Wheatcroft who will be returning to his previous club having scored for us there last season. Another one please Tom!! We are currently 20 points clear at the top and need another 36 points to top 1000 points scored for the season. Look forward to it!

MattSmith
1st XV Manager

Ealing Trailfinders were crowned champions of National One when they overcame an industrious Cinderford outfit 28-17 at Vallis Way. The league leaders trailed 17-13 at half-time before a spirited second-half comeback saw them claim their 23rd win of a memorable season and promotion to the Championship.

On a wet day where conditions were not conducive to Ealing’s attacking style, Cinderford threatened to spoil the home side’s party with a fiercely competitive performance.

With so much at stake for the club, it was unsurprising that Ealing Trailfinders dominated the opening exchanges, and they were unfortunate not to break through the visitors’ defence. As Ealing Trailfinders pressed, captain Ben Ward took the opportunity to convert the sustained pressure into points when his drop-kick in the 4th minute sneaked over the bar. Ealing Trailfinders steadily continued to build momentum and went further ahead when Thomas Wheatcroft kicked a penalty. The Ealing Trailfinders dominance was unrelenting and they looked set to storm away with victory. However, with the Cinderford try-line beckoning and a three-man Ealing Trailfinders overlap waiting to pounce, Ward’s long pass was smartly intercepted by former Gloucester centre Jack Adams, who raced the length of the field to score. Mark Davies’ conversion sent the Forest of Dean side into a fortuitous 7-6 lead. The unlikely lead gave the visitors a new lease of life and inner belief that they could cause an almighty shock away from home. Cinderford seized control of the game as their ball carriers made yards in the Ealing Trailfinders half and threatened to increase their lead. After securing lineout ball near the Ealing Trailfinders line, they purposefully drove over, with flanker Will Foden claiming the try. Davies converted again to push Cinderford 14-6 in front. Ealing Trailfinders hit back when Ronald McLean-Dents hit a superb line and brushed aside several defenders on his way to the try-line for Ealing Trailfinders first try of the game. Wheatcroft’s conversion reduced the deficit to 14-13. On the stroke of half time, a Davies penalty extended Cinderford’s lead to four points. Within three minutes of the start of the second half Ealing Trailfinders were on the scoreboard thanks to Wheatcroft’s second successful penalty. With the home side applying pressure, Foden went from hero to villain as he was yellow carded for cynically collapsing a driving maul that was destined for the try-line. Ealing Trailfinders took full advantage of the numerical advantage as No. 8 Mat Evans crossed after an unstoppable drive had powered its way to the Cinderford line. Ealing Trailfinders sealed the victory when Andrew Henderson finished superbly in the corner in the 74th minute of the game.

Ealing Trailfinders patiently held on for the final minutes and when referee Marcus Caton finally blew the final whistle wild celebrations broke out among the players and management, as well as a chorus of delighted cheers from the loyal Ealing Trailfinders fans.

Ealing Trailfinders RFC has a fantastic day in store for their supporters. The following is what will be happening on the day…..

• Steve Keen Memorial Match, KO 12:00 pm
• Big pre match 1871 lunch 12:45
• Ealing Trailfinders U12’s v Galway U12’s touring side 13:00 pm
• Special training session for the Pumas section (U16’s, U17’s, Colts)
• Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV’s last game of the 2011/12 season v Birmingham & Solihull KO 15:00 pm

And if that isn’t enough… there will also be a big summer BBQ running throughout the day alongside the bar. But don’t think that’s it for the day, when the whistle goes from the last game the celebrations begin.

The club would love to see as many of their members and their fiends there on the day to celebrate the clubs achievements in the last year. Some of the main achievements have been:

• Whole Club Seal of Approval
• RFU Presidents XV Award for School Development
• A great 1st season in National League 1 for the 1st XV
• Senior Amateurs reaching the finals of their Merit Table
• The Mini’s Festivals growing and achieving fantastic results
• A strong County representation from the Youth in all ages
• National representation from 1st XV Players

This Saturdays sees us play Loughborough Students in their first season in National One. The students lie 10th in the table having a record of 12 wins 1 draw and 12 losses. Earlier in the season at Loughborough in poor conditions Ealing Trailfinders put in an excellent controlled performance to win 41-5 running in 6 tries. The two Sams Wardingley and Shires scoring 2 tries each as Hodge filled in for the injured Wardy at 10. The student’s only try was an excellent Solo effort by Fullback Craig Holland.

The history of the club predates the formation of Loughborough University. The students of Loughborough College formed what is considered the original side in September 1919. Loughborough began competing in the Universities Athletic Union (UAU) in 1930-31, and the Loughborough Colleges XV beat Nottingham University 8 – 0 in their first match. In the 1985-86 season a team led by former England coach Andy Robinson won through to the third round of the John Player Cup. Interestingly he took over as England coach from another Loughborough Student Sir Clive Woodward.

John O’Connell and I had the pleasure of watching our own Phil Chesters score for a Barbarians side coached by Robinson against the Students last year to commemorate the opening of their new stadium.

Loughborough’s Stuart Hall is in 3rd place in the league’s Top points scorers with 237 points compared to our own Tom Wheatcroft in 1st place on 256 points. Loughborough Students play an attacking brand of rugby so it should be a great entertaining game to watch.

Come on down and support the lads.

Matt Smith
Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV Manager

Ealing Trailfinders produced a scintillating display of attacking rugby to overwhelm Sedgley Park 62-7 and stay on course to win the National One Championship. Ten tries, including a double hat trick from winger Phil Chesters, on a sunny spring day were more than enough to see off a an injury-plagued and disjointed Tigers outfit at Park Lane.

Ealing Trailfinders got into their work early in the game when a scything outside break from Tom Wheatcroft had the Tigers defence at sixes and sevens. The ball was recycled from Morgan Thompson to Chesters, who coasted in under the posts to open the scoring. The Tigers found themselves licking their wounds behind their line for the second time in five minutes when Andrew Henderson broke from the half-way line to race in and score. Wheatcroft’s double conversion took the score to 14-0 in favour of the imperious Ealing Trailfinders unit. The visitors forward pack flexed their muscles after a handful of powerful scrums forced referee Wayne Falla to sin-bin Matt Alcock for repeated infringements at the set-piece. Ealing Trailfinders made the most of the numerical advantage when Chesters went over after collecting a deft grubber kick from Wheatcroft, before the speedster scored again to claim a first-half hat trick. Ealing Trailfinders back division were proving to be too much for the home side as Peter Hodgkinson sliced through the weak defence to score his side’s fifth try before the half hour mark, in the process extending the lead to 29-0. The Tigers did manage to cross the Ealing Trailfinders whitewash when second row Jimmy Lloyd burrowed his way over from close range. Matthew Riley’s conversion took the score to 29-7 and it remained that way until half-time.

Ealing Trailfinders continued their supreme dominance in the second half when Chesters scored another try, this time from first phase possession. Chesters added a further two tries to take his season’s try tally to 29 and reclaim the top position in the league’s try-scoring chart. With a quarter of the game remaining and the result confirmed, the Tigers threw caution to the wind and strung a succession of enterprising plays together. However, their attacking endeavour was well marshalled by a disciplined and structured Ealing Trailfinders defence. A counter-attacking move involving replacement flanker Lee Starling and Thompson enabled captain Ben Ward to dart over for another converted score. Replacement second row Gavin Curry completed the rout when he went over for Ealing Trailfinders final try of the game. Wheatcroft’s sixth successful conversion of the day took the score to 62-7 and concluded a clinical all-round performance from an Ealing Trailfinders side focused on cementing top position in the National One table.

Ealing Trailfinders return home to Vallis Way in West Ealing this Saturday where they will host Loughborough Students. To find out more please click here