Author Archives: Paul Clarke

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV were ruthlessly efficient in their 34-17 demolition of local rivals Richmond on Saturday. The reverse fixture in late September saw Ealing Trailfinders stage a heroic fight back to draw 27-27 at the Athletic Ground, but Saturday’s performance had all who were present at Vallis Way purring with appreciation. Richmond began the game with a voracious intensity, but the Ealing Trailfinders defence nullified any attempted attacks. The Ealing Trailfinders scrum had been in impressive form in recent weeks and this continued as a dominant scrum in the visitors’ half led to a penalty which was duly converted by Thomas Wheatcroft. The home side extended their lead when second row Steve Pape brushed aside several defenders on his way to the try-line after an excellent line-out steal reclaimed possession for Ealing Trailfinders. Wheatcroft’s simple conversion made it 10-0 before Tom Platt’s penalty reduced the arrears temporarily. A Richmond turnover in Ealing Trailfinders half allowed Wheatcroft to dash into acres of space before swift handling to Phil Chesters who finished well in the corner. Ealing Trailfinders continued to exert pressure in the visitors’ half and when Wheatcroft charged down Henry Taylor’s kick, the ball fell into the hands of Tim Brockett, who in turn offloaded to Wheatcroft to race over and score. Wheatcroft’s conversion gave Ealing Trailfinders a well-deserved 22-3 lead at half-time.

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV begin the second half with a steely determination to score the bonus point try and further extend their impressive lead. The Ealing Trailfinders scrum was once more a joy to behold as it enabled Tom Parker to dart down the blind untouched to score the hosts’ fourth try of the day. Wheatcroft’s conversion took the score to 29-3. Another imposing Ealing scrum allowed Owen Brunynseels to sprint into space before a delicate off-load enabled Parker to score his second try of the game. With the game all but gone at 34-3 with just 17 minutes of play remaining, Richmond salvaged some pride with a late flurry of enterprising attack. Firstly, a misplaced clearance kick allowed Richmond to attack Ealing Trailfinders exposed defensive line, leading to Tom Sergeant crashing over. In the final minutes of the game, the hard-working Anders Nilsson was yellow carded for pulling down the maul before Chris Davies’ try reduced the deficit to 34-17. A third London derby in as many weeks awaits the league leaders as they face an in-form Esher side away from home this Saturday.

The next big game at Vallis Way sees the club host England Counties v France Federale on Friday 22nd February. The game is a 19:00 KO and is set to be a great build up to the big game at Twickenham on the Saturday. Ealing Trailfinders will be in action at Vallis Way again on Saturday 2nd March when Wharfedale are the visitors.
 

Ealing Trailfinders’ clinical edge proved too much for Blackheath as the league leaders clinched an absorbing derby 21-14 at Vallis Way.

Due to the recent adverse weather conditions, Ealing Trailfinders had not played since their 25-22 victory against Tynedale on 12th January and the fans were treated to a typically attritional derby clash. The opening exchanges were evenly contested as both sides combined an efficient kicking game strategy with forward runners repeatedly rampaging over the gain-line. Ealing Trailfinders centre Thomas Wheatcroft and Blackheath pivot Rory Teague exchanged penalties to level the scores at 6-6 with a quarter of the game played. Ealing Trailfinders forwards experienced contrasting fortunes in their set-pieces. In the scrum the hosts had the edge over their London counterparts, as the Blackheath pack was dismantled with relative ease on a regular basis. However, the Ealing Trailfinders line-out performed dismally, reducing their electric back-line to living off scraps. The clinical nature of Ealing Trailfinders attacking prowess was fully evident in their first try of the game. A passage of play from the home side lured Blackheath numbers into the ruck before a jinking break and perfectly-timed pass by Peter Hodgkinson found Wheatcroft , whose deft grubber-kick into space was collected and scored by Phil Chesters. Wheatcroft’s third successful penalty sent Ealing Trailfinders into a 14-6 interval lead.

As expected, Blackheath surfaced from the break with renewed energy in their attempt to reduce the 8-point deficit. Despite securing a large proportion of the territorial advantage, the visitors lacked the necessary penetration in the final third of the field. Ealing Trailfinders defence, particularly against Blackheath’s line-out drives, stood firm and continually forced them back. With less than a quarter of the game remaining, Teague’s third penalty of the game reduced the arrears to 14-9 and signalled a potentially thrilling finale to the derby. However, Blackheath’s optimism quickly dissipated when Ealing Trailfinders’ second try all but secured the victory. A succession of close quarter pick and drives, which proved to be a successful weapon in Ealing Trailfinders attacking arsenal all afternoon, resulted in replacement hooker Jon Moyce sneaking over to score. Wheatcroft’s conversion sent the home side into a 21-9 lead with 8 minutes remaining. Blackheath refused to lie down and managed to score a consolation try through winger Liam Gibson that provided them with the losing bonus point.

It is back to back London derby home games for Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV as Richmond come to Vallis Way to play the rescheduled fixture from the 19th January this Saturday. It is a 3pm KO on Saturday so get down and show your support.
 

Ealing Trailfinders back row Karl Gibson gives us an insight into his personality with a 10 question video interview. Karl is Sponsored by Body by Design Ltd

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV fought back from 15-0 down to beat Tynedale 25-22 in an enthralling clash on Saturday. Ealing Trailfinders will be ecstatic with the bonus-point victory on their long journey to the furthest destination of the season but an inconsistent opening first quarter made their victory harder than it need have been. It was a case of déjà vu, as Tynedale lived up to their reputation as a side who start brightly, as Ealing Trailfinders know all too well, having had to claw their way back from a hefty deficit in the opening stages of last season’s victory at Tynedale Park.

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV’s slender advantage in a fractious opening segment was overturned by a superb solo try by Tynedale winger Andrew Moralee. The home side seemed to have run out of ideas as they recycled the ball just inside their half, before Moralee spotted a dog-leg in the defence and raced past several defenders to score the converted try. Oliver Stedman added a penalty to his successful conversion to push the home side into a 10-0 lead. Both sides looked comfortable in defending each other’s attack, Ealing Trailfinders opting for an attritional strategy whereas Tynedale’s less structured game-plan was reaping rewards. It was that spontaneity that led to Tynedale’s second try. Tynedale srum-half Harry Peck caught the Ealing Trailfinders side unawares when his quick tap-and-go had the visitors scrambling in defence. Peck broke through before passing to Moralee, who jogged in untouched for his second score of the game. With only four minutes of the half remaining, Ealing Trailfinders responded to their predicament in a ruthlessly proficient manner. An exquisite break and off-load down a narrow blind-side by Thomas Wheatcroft to Phil Chesters enabled the winger to race 60 metres to score in the left hand corner. Then, just seconds later, a wayward Tynedale lineout saw the ball recycled quickly to Chesters who coasted round his opposite winger before deftly chipping the full-back to gather and score. The 15-10 half-time score had some respectability to it and renewed the optimism of the playing squad and the loyal Ealing Trailfinders supporters who had made the long journey north.

Ealing Trailfinders began the second half positively as they strove to reduce the arrears. A misplaced clearance kick was gathered by Peter Hodgkinson who brushed aside several flailing tacklers, only for a dogged Tynedale defence to scupper an immediate try. The ensuing ruck ball was swiftly passed through the back division before former Tynedale No.8 Sam Shires off-loaded to Wheatcroft who dotted down. The centre was unable to add the conversion to his try as Ealing Trailfinders had fought their back to draw level with the hosts. Ealing Trailfinders were playing with a well-organized confidence as they bombarded the Tynedale defensive line. The Ealing Trailfinders forwards rumbled on through a succession of yard-gaining ball carriers before replacement flanker Leeroy Starling broke through to score. Wheatcroft’s conversion took the visitors into the lead for the first time in the game. Tynedale struck back once more as another Peck quick tap forced Ealing Trailfinders on the back foot, allowing flanker Sam Reynolds to score. Stedman’s conversion brought the scores level with a quarter of the game to play. Ealing Trailfinders quickly retook the lead when Wheatcroft converted a simple penalty. The Ealing Trailfinders bravely held on to secure a hard-fought victory and maintain their status at the top of the National 1 table. 

This Saturday Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV return to Vallis Way to face London rivals Richmond in what is expected to be a classic derby fixture. To find out more click here

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV maintained their position at the top of National 1 by comprehensively beating Macclesfield 34-13 at Vallis Way. The visitors have been notoriously plucky opponents in the past but a workman-like performance by Ealing Trailfinders ensured 2013 kicked off on the right note.

The opening quarter of the game was evenly contested as the visitors lived up to their reputation as a stubbornly difficult outfit to break down. Macclesfield took the lead when Sam Shires was penalised for an incorrect entry into the ruck enabling Thomas Eaton to convert the penalty. Shires made amends for his earlier indiscretion when he powered over from a 5m scrum to score Ealing Trailfinders first converted try of the game. Macclesfield struck back instantaneously as they were gifted a try by Ealing Trailfinders indecisiveness. A miss-placed pass from Morgan Thompson to Ben Ward on the Ealing Trailfinders try-line was gratefully gathered by Elliot Brierley. The centre was rewarded for his determined chase as his converted try sent the visitors into a 10-7 lead. Ealing Trailfinders reclaimed the lead when a disjointed scrum saw the ball coughed up to Thompson who swiftly recycled it to Andrew Henderson to score. Thomas Wheatcroft’s conversion increased the Ealing Trailfinders lead to 14-10. For a brief period, Ealing Trailfinders territorial dominance was being somewhat scuppered by their inability to maintain adequate possession. Their pressure eventually told when a move down the blindside provided the space for a sequence of sublime handling skills between Ronald Mclean-Dents and Sam Wardingley before Peter Hodgkinson collected and raced to score his side’s third converted try of the game. Macclesfield ground their way back into the game as Eaton’s second penalty reduced the deficit to 21-13 on the stroke of half time.

The opening stanza of the second half resembled the first half as Ealing Trailfinders territorial advantage seemed likely to earn the warranted dividends. The perfect opportunity arose when a lineout 5 metres from the Macclesfield line saw the Ealing Trailfinders pack impose their power. A shortened Ealing Trailfinders drive caught the visitors unaware as Richard Townsend burrowed over to score the bonus point try and extend the hosts lead to 26-13. Macclesfield refused to lie down as they attempted to fashion a response through a forward-oriented power game. Ealing’s determined defence thwarted any attempted advancements from the visitors as wave after wave of attack was met with ferocious collisions. It took 20 minutes before the next points were scored as Wheatcroft continued his impressive kicking form to convert a penalty and in the process increasing the gap between the two sides. Macclesfield seemed unperturbed by their situation in the game and continued their relentless search for further points. However, Ealing Trailfinders had the final say in the game when Shires crossed in the corner for his second try of the game after neat inter-linking play between forwards and backs confirming Ealing Trailfinders as deserved winners.

Ealing Trailfinders are on the road this Saturday to Newcastle where they will face Tynedale before returning to Vallis Way for their big London Derby clash with RIchmond on the 19th January. To find out more about this game click here

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV muscled their way to a hard-fought 16-16 draw against local rivals Rosslyn Park. In similar circumstances to the Blackheath fixture earlier in the season, it took a nerveless Thomas Wheatcroft to kick over the crucial penalty in the dying minutes. On this occasion it secured a draw for the visiting side.

The local derby lived up to expectations despite the unfavourable wet and windy weather conditions. It had everything- triumph, despair, excitement, joy, nerves, determination- one left Priory Lane wanting more.

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV had an opportunity in the opening minute of the encounter to register the first points of the game but Wheatcroft’s penalty kick fell just short. The early exchanges were physical and typical of a local derby as both sides aimed to stamp their authority.

It was evident that Park’s scrum was gaining the upper hand, and when they opted for a scrum from a free-kick, a penalty rightly ensued. Park fly-half Ross Laidlaw slotted the penalty kick to send the home side into a 3-0 lead.

Ealing Trailfinders sustained a period of dominance as they bombarded Park’s line, largely due to Park’s high penalty count and Ealing Trailfinders attacking prowess. However, for all Ealing Trailfinders endeavour they were unable to breach the stoic Park defence and rued their inability to secure possession from their set-piece when they conceded a penalty on 32 minutes for a ruck infringement that allowed Laidlaw to increase Park’s lead to 6-0.

With Ealing Trailfinders back in the ascendency, another penalty enabled Wheatcroft to narrow the gap to 6-3 as half-time approached and they began the second period with renewed enthusiasm and immediately drew level with their London rivals as Wheatcroft’s second penalty sailed through the uprights.

In a game of constant see-sawing, it was Rosslyn Park’s turn to exert pressure in Ealing Trailfinders half. A succession of drives and closer-quarter mauling suffocated the visitors and Laidlaw’s third penalty of the game meant Park took the lead once more.

Ealing Trailfinders refused to lie down and fashioned a powerful response as their multi-phase attacks had the excellent Park side firmly on the back foot. A series of forceful forward runners provided the space for the dangerous Ealing Trailfinders back-line to showcase their skill. It would take something special to break down the determined defence of Park and that is what the Ealing Trailfinders did. A combination of neat handling and exceptional off-loading enabled Andrew Henderson to race over in the corner to finish off a try of true quality. Wheatcroft added an excellent angled conversion to take the visitors into a 13-9 lead with a quarter of the game remaining.

Park stormed back and rumbled on through their forwards and the visitors were dealt a severe blow when No.8 Sam Shires was sent to the sin-bin for collapsing a driving maul. In an exceptional show of determined character, Ealing Trailfinders managed to repel surge after surge of Park’s power plays, but eventually the pressure told as Tim Tunnicliffe was the second Ealing Trailfinders player to be sent to the bin.

From a lineout, Park put on an unstoppable drive and when another illegal intervention threatened to stop it, referee Greg Macdonald had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try. Laidlaw took his time in adding the simple conversion as it appeared that Park had snatched an improbable victory from Ealing Trailfinders grasp.

However, a needless penalty allowed Wheatcroft to step up and be the hero once more as he slotted the penalty to level the scores at 16 apiece. The final whistle brought down the curtain on a fantastic game of National 1 rugby, with Ealing Trailfinders firmly top of the table heading into 2013.

Ealing Trailfinders return to Vallis Way on January 5th to face Macclesfield in the first game of 2013. To find out more click here

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV put on a fine display for their home fans as they comfortably beat Cambridge 47-11. Victory for the West London outfit cemented their place at the top of the National 1 table with the mouth-watering fixture against local rivals Rosslyn Park coming up on Saturday. Ealing Trailfinders made an electrifying start when swift handling in the back division saw Peter Hodkginson make a break before an audacious off-load resulted in Phil Chesters crossing to score in the left hand corner. Thomas Wheatcroft slotted the touch-line conversion in blustery conditions to give the home side a 7-0 lead after only 3 minutes of play. Ealing Trailfinders’ momentum was briefly scuppered when flanker Mathew Evans was yellow-carded by referee Philip Davies for not rolling away. Cambridge capitalised on the numerical advantage with an Elliott Bale penalty reducing the deficit to 7-3. Cambridge, playing into a slight breeze, attempted a pick and go strategy to produce quick ball but the home side’s fringe defence was imperious and determined. A determined Sam Shires charged down an attempted Bale clearance kick on the Cambridge line, enabling Hodgkinson to dot down the deflected kick. Wheatcroft added the extras to push Ealing Trailfinders 14-3 ahead. A Cambridge scrum in the centre of the field was brilliantly turned over and Shires burst off the back of the turned over possession. Swift handling ensued as the visitors were caught off guard and Chesters finished well for his second converted score of the day. The Cambridge side, coming off an impressive victory against Sedgley Park the previous week, endeavoured to get back in the game. With hooker Richard Townsend in the bin for a technical infringement, Cambridge’s hard work paid off as former Ealing Trailfinders prop Thomas Fidler sneaked over from close range on the stroke of half time to give his side a glimmer of hope in the second period.

A Bale penalty early in the second half reduced the arrears to 21-11. The home side withheld a period of Cambridge attack before imposing their own pressure on the visitor’s line. After a set of yard-gaining phase play, Morgan Thompson took advantage of a tiring Cambridge team to dart in from the base of a ruck to score and extend Ealing Trailfinders lead to 26-11. A confident home side were now firmly in the ascendancy in all facets and it was becoming a matter how many points they could score before the full-time whistle. Hodgkinson and Lee Starling combined before the flanker scored another converted try to stretch their lead to 33-11. With Cambridge hooker James Palmer in the bin, the Ealing Trailfinders scrum powered within a metre of the try-line before replacement No. 8 Liam Perkins’ pass allowed Thompson to stroll over for his second try of the game. Wheatcroft’s conversion took the score to 40-11. The home side finished the game with a try of true quality as forwards and backs combined before a Hodgkinson kick was gathered by Sam Wardingley, who scored the converted try.

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV will be full of confidence as they make the short journey to Rosslyn Park for the crucial top of the table clash on Saturday. Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV will return to Vallis Way in January where Macclesfield will be the visitors for the day. Another big fixture to look forward to in January at Vallis Way is Richmond on the 19th January, where there will also be a big 1871 lunch with an Auction.

To find out more about the Macclesfield game click here

To find out more about the Richmond game click here
 

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV maintained their status as National 1 league leaders by narrowly beating Cinderford 11-10 at Dockham Road. On a cloudless but chilly winter’s day it was the visiting side who managed to hang on for a particularly hard-fought win. Knowing what a notoriously tough side Cinderford are to overcome and with memories of being 12-0 down in the opening quarter last season, Ealing Trailfinders were unwavering in achieving a positive start. Ealing Trailfinders began the game industriously with a zip and physicality to their play in the opening stanzas. However, an innocuous kick was poorly dealt with by Ealing Trailfinders last line of defence and Cinderford winger Lloyd Stapleton gathered and scored an unconverted try. Ealing Trailfinders settled into the game and strung a succession of attritional phases together with the forwards rumbling forward with impressive power. The Ealing Trailfinders pack contributed to the first points of the afternoon. A Cinderford scrum on the edge of their 22m line was severely disrupted by the ruthless Ealing Trailfinders pack, resulting in referee Mark Caton having no option but to award the visitors a penalty, which was duly converted by Tom Wheatcroft. The remainder of the first half saw both sides demonstrate impressive defensive organisation and a steely determination to hold out their respective opposition. Cinderford flankers Will Foden and Luke Allen displayed doggedness at the breakdown that thwarted any potential momentum the Ealing side were building. With Foden sin-binned for stamping, Ealing Trailfinder’s Anders Nilsson was prevented from scoring after a tremendous last-ditch tackle from Ben West dislodged the ball from the flanker’s grasp as the try-line beckoned.

Ealing Trailfinders began the second half with enthusiasm and purpose. The ball was recycled swiftly to Andrew Henderson who was brought down just short of the line before a succession of close quarter pick and go’s had Cinderford defending their line valiantly. Eventually No.8 Sam Shires crossed for an unconverted try on 46 minutes to push the visitors into an 8-5 lead. The visitors lead lasted just three minutes as Cinderford fashioned an immediate response. Former Gloucester centre Jack Adams showed a quick turn of speed to race round the Ealing Trailfinders midfield before putting full-back Mike Wilcox in to score in the corner. The unsuccessful conversion meant the home side took a 10-8 advantage with half an hour to go. Wheatcroft’s second penalty of the day reclaimed the visitors’ lead and began an uncompromising final quarter with neither side backing down in this physically abrasive encounter. Ealing Trailfinders created a handful of attacking chances to extend their lead but ultimately had to defend their 11-10 lead. They successfully achieved that goal and secured an important win against an unyielding Cinderford side.

This Saturday Cambridge visit Vallis Way, with a 3pm kick off, to find out more click here 

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV thrashed Loughborough Students 41-5 and in the process returned to the top of the National 1 table. The Students’ recent good form was severely halted by a clinical Ealing Trailfinders performance in atrocious weather conditions. Ealing Trailfinders settled into the game and adapted to the conditions in a more purposeful way than their opponents, storming into a 22-0 within 30 minutes of play. Thomas Wheatcroft opened the scoring with a well-struck penalty before Rory Damant was on the end of a Peter Hodgkinson grubber kick to dot down the visitor’s first try of the game. The Students naïve inability to control possession enabled the visiting Ealing Trailfinders side to impose their physical and ruthless mark on the game. A quick-tap by Sam Shires from a scrum infringement allowed Hodgkinson to expose the Students midfield and put the in-form Sam Wardingley into space for the winger to sprint in and score. With their forwards rumbling on and Hodgkinson’s tactical kicking constantly putting his side into the Students half, Ealing Trailfinders looked in complete control. After an incredible bout of inter-linking phase play between backs and forwards, Shires ran a great line to crash over and score. Wheatcroft’s conversion took Ealing Trailfinders into a 22-0 lead. On the stroke of half-time, the Students’ full-back Craig Holland capitalised on a rare misguided kick and indecisive defending to race 40 meters to score in the right hand corner.

As was to be expected, the opening exchanges of the second half saw an intrepid Students outfit attack resolutely in the aim to draw the score closer. However, the organised and determined Ealing Trailfinders defence stood firm against the home side’s persistence. The visitors scored their vital bonus point try thanks to the power of their dominant forward pack, with the influential Shires the beneficiary after a line-out drive surged over. Ealing Trailfinders continued to ruthlessly bombard the Students line with wave after wave of attack. Eventually the continued pressure told and Wheatcroft scored and converted his own try to take the visiting side into an unassailable 34-5 lead with just minutes remaining. As the Loughborough outfit began to tire, Ealing Trailfinders still had time for one last score. Hodgkinson’s perfectly weighted cross-field kick was caught on the run by Wardingley who raced to the line to score his second try of the game and confirm Ealing Trailfinders as resounding 41-5 victors.

Ealing Trailfinders have a week off to recuperate before getting back on the road where they visit Cinderford on the 8th December before returning to Vallis Way on the 15th. The game on the 15th is against Cambridge and will be the only home game in December so make sure you don’t miss out on the current League leaders. To find out more please click here