Author Archives: Paul Clarke

REPORT: Richmond Heavies 36 – 17 Ealing Evergreens

The Evergreens lost out to Richmond in a close fought game on Saturday 6th March but at least restored some pride after losing the home fixture by a landslide.  We were woefully understrength that day but a much improved side lined up at the Athletic ground this time round.  Front row was Stef Glancy (welcome back mate) myself and Jimmy Noak.  Michele Lozza and Paul Clarke in the second row and Jamie Carlin, Cameron Orr and Ben Davies rounded off a well balanced pack of forwards.  Dave Brathwaite and Andy Cleary at half back.  Centres were the trusty combination of Dave Steene and Ed Beck with Gavin and Eric Murray on the wings and Paul Hoban at full-back.

Our efforts at appearing a well-drilled outfit by warming up thoroughly were somewhat undermined by Paul Clarke’s obvious sufferings of the after effects of a surfeit of vino rosso but fair play, he put in a manful first half despite that. The Richmond Heavies were looking confident having secured a draw against the Army Vets the week before. Anyone who has played against the Army knows that’s no mean feat!  However, they were shaken out of their complacency when Ealing opened the scoring after only five minutes. Good forward play saw Cameron win a lineout in the Richmond 22, quick ball out to the backs and Steeny powered through the centre to score a fine individual try which Andy Cleary converted. A few minutes later and Richmond were attacking down the blind side with men over but quick thinking and quicker hands saw Eric Murray intercepting the ball and sprinting away to put Ealing 12 – 0 up. Game on!  Richmond were visibly shocked at this turn of events and decided to shut up shop for a little time while they figured things out. 

They then decided that the best thing to do would be to revert to their old favourite, the rolling maul which they do so well. We then decided that it was so good we would rather stand back and admire it while they drove over for their opening score. Time and again Richmond would revert to the maul to suck in our defence and shut down the game. It yielded another two tries for them as well as the three scored by their strong running. They had some big ball carriers but the resolute defence Ealing displayed in recent games was not as efficient here and the big full-back boshed his way through a few flailing defenders. We knew we couldn’t afford to try and tackle these guys high but we did it anyway. And therein we lost the game. 

It was a real opportunity lost because we matched the strong Richmond pack up front. The scrum held steady unlike the last time and Cameron was dominating the front of the lineout so we had plenty of set piece ball. In the second half, once we had gone three tries behind we threw caution to the wind and ran everything. We looked really dangerous at times and one such attacking move gave me a rare score! A break by Ben Davies who then passed to Ed Beck, Ed sweetly drew the full-back and passed to me to touch down for our final score. A few minutes later and it was Andy Cleary sprinting (yes, I know) through their defence and must have gone twenty yards when the shock hit him and he decided to pass inside but unfortunately it didn’t go to hand. Probably because we were all stunned at the sight of Andy in full flight!  Subs used were Bill  Miller who replaced Paul Clarke in the second row, and Adrian Hobbs who replaced the injured Paul Hoban (get well soon mate) . All played a full part in a hard, keenly contested game but Richmond are too good a side to be able to afford to miss tackles against them. 

At least pride was restored but still we must be bitterly disappointed as opportunities to beat Richmond are not easy to come by.  They fully deserved their win but were definitely beatable. Well done to Stef and Jimmy for strong scrummaging. Cameron was, typically, everywhere in his tackling and enjoying a right ding dong battle with their big lump of a second row in the lineout. We have an opportunity to get back on the horse next Saturday with a home fixture against London Welsh who present a different threat as they like to play like fifteen Phil Bennets so we will need to make those tackles next week. 

Declan Cronin

Scores:

Richmond Heavies – 36
Tries: 6
Cons: 3

Ealing Evergreens – 17

Tries: Steene, Murray, Cronin
Cons: Cleary

Terry’s Diary: First Blood

Date 03 Mar 2010

Feeling really tired. `Jacko` worked me hard on Tuesday, so I am struggling today. More leg work from Keith and then some sparring, head shots allowed and it started to get a bit tasty in the ring.

The first blood has appeared, as Adrian got his nose a bit bloodied while sparring with Chris . All good it’s now starting to feel like a real sparring session and I can’t wait for next week, something about the sight of blood has definitely upped the level and I have to say I really fancy it now.

Tel

(See also: Terry Fights for a Good Cause | Second Session)

PREVIEW: Henley Hawks v Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV 6th March

After the bog that was Vallis Way last weekend and the close loss to Rosslyn Park, skipper Jay King takes his team back on the road, travelling to Oxfordshire to face Henley Hawks RFC at Dry Leas.

Speaking after the defeat to Park Jay  said "last week’s defeat to Park hurt. We had prepared well all week, it’s games like that, that players play for. It was close and could have gone either way. We know have to pick ourselves up, and prepare equally for Henley. Dry Leas is a hard place to go, and we will take the challenge seriously. We know what we have to do, it is a case of getting the mindset right."

Henley Hawks are currently sitting in 12th position in N2S, having won 6 and lost 12 of their 18 games played so far. Their form in their previous 6 games has not been great, 5 losses and only one win, although they did take a losing bonus point from their trip to Dings last weekend ( 20-13) , and that is never an easy place to travel to.

Henley Hawks – A brief history

Henley Rugby Club was founded in 1930 as Old Henleiensians (old boys of Henley GS). Always a vibrant and locally respected Rugby Club, Henley’s fortunes began to soar when SIR CLIVE WOODWARD became the 1st XV coach in 1990.

In year 2000 Henley had reached their pinnacle with a midway position in National One (as was) and a top 25 position in National league rugby.

Around the same time Henley took the scalp of then premiership side Bedford in the latter stages of the National Knockout Cup and narrowly lost to Gloucester at Kingsholm in the next round. Right now Henley occupy a respectable top 50 spot, firmly established in National 2 South with an eye to climbing back up the pecking order.

Henley’s ground DRY LEAS is the club’s ‘jewel in the crown’. The ground is barely a stone’s throw from the river and reflects everything that you might expect from the world famous regatta town of Henley–On–Thames. Beautifully appointed Dry Leas boasts one of the finest playing surfaces in the country.

(Picking up on their ground – a great rugby venue, but given the amount of rain we have had – take your wellies !)

Will Fulton is the Hawks top points scorer so far this season with 68 to his name, whilst  wing Will Jones tops the try scoring list with  5 tries and back row and Ex Skipper Matt Payne on 4.

Comparing Ealing and Henley maybe somewhat misleading as we always expect a hard game at Dry Leas as we saw last season. In their 18 games Henley have scored 41 tries to Ealing’s 99 in 20 games, who will score the 100th? Is that tempting fate? 55 of those 99 tries have come on the road. 17 of their tries have been scored by the piano shifters and 23 by the piano players, whilst our shifters have 22 against 74 …..

Henley have amassed 200 points at Dry Leas whilst Ealing have 368 away from Vallis Way

The Hawks  have received  9 yellow cards – with  lock Steve Green topping the list on 2.

Previous games between Ealing Trailfinders & Henley Hawks

07/11/2009  Ealing Trailfinders 36 Henley Hawks 25

28/02/2009 Ealing Trailfinders 27 Henley Hawks 15

08/11/2008 Henley Hawks 10 Ealing Trailfinders 15

Other games in N2S this weekend

Barnes v Richmond

Mond will be after revenge since losing the reverse fixture at the RA ground earlier in the season. Both teams are lacking form, but home advantage may help, or will it?   Close home win.

Clifton v Lydney

Lydney have shown some improvement, but expect Clifton to be too strong at home. Home win and all the points

Rosslyn Park v Bridgwater & Albion

Should be a formality for Park – Home win with a bonus point  as well.

Southend v Canterbury

Southend too strong , although Canterbury to take loosing bonus points – Home win

Westcombe Park v Barking

Barking should enjoy their visit to Combe – Away win

Worthing v Dings Crusaders

Interesting game as 8th plays 9th. Worthing have improved in 2010. Worthing have only lost 3 games at home, whilst Dings form on the road has been poor ( only 1 win out of 9) . Home win, and no joy for Dings.

REPORT: Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV 8 – 9 Rosslyn Park

Top of the table clashes are often close games and Rosslyn Park’s visit to Vallis Way was not different. A  last minute missed conversion by Ealing Trailfinders fly half Ben Ward, brought joy to one set of players and despair to another.

Given the state of the Vallis Way pitch, the standard of rugby on display was a credit to both teams. Yes errors did occur but both teams made a positive effort to play some rugby. An early morning pitch inspection passed the pitch playable, but a deluge of rain mid morning left the groundsman scratching his head as to where the water would go! 

Park took the early advantage playing down the slope into the deep end, an early Ross Laidlaw penalty on three minutes for infringing at the side. There followed a period of both teams looking to apply pressure with tactical kicking. Park camped on the left had side of Ealing’s 22 m line. Defence was of paramount importance and waves off attack were thwarted with some great tacking in what was becoming a bog.

Ealing responded with some strong set pieces, Park had arrived with a reputation for having a strong front five, but Ealing’s Steve Neville, Jon Moyce, Dinos  Alexpoulous, Blair Morris and James Winterbottom showed their own class, on several occasions moving the opposition scrum backwards. This led on 15 minutes to Ben Ward stroking a penalty over 10m into the Rosslyn Park half, for Park standing up in the scrum.

Both sides were cagey, the conditions often meaning that the kick chase game was a preferred tactic. There were no gaps in either side’s back line. Park continued to pressure Ealing, leading to a 23rd minute penalty, allowing Laidlaw to increase the visitors lead to 3-6.

Ealing looked dangerous with the ball in hand, and despite the conditions, tried to use it. Full Back Pete Hodgkinson looked as elusive  as ever, and wing Owen Bruynseels was proving a handful to the Park back three. A period of sustained pressure, saw Ben Ward chip over the advancing Park back line, looking for the ball to sit up in this bog was always a lottery, but coming back off the posts, missing the on rushing Hodgkinson and into the hands on the Rosslyn Park full back Davies, Park cleared their lines to their relief. From the ensuing lineout on 39 minutes,  Ealing drove into the heart of the Park eight.  Rosslyn Park prop Nick Hugget, came in at the side, threw a punch and was dispatched to the sin bin to think about proceding by referee Luke Pearce. Park held out for the final minute of the half.

The first 10 minutes of the second half would be important, as Ealing looked to take advantage of their numerical advantage. Playing with the ball helps, and during this period Park maintained possession . Ealing having to defend for large periods of this. Their defence was awesome, no other words for it. Bodies were put on the line time and time again. Credit must be given to Rosslyn  Park for their ability to keep the home side camped in their own half.

The final quarter of the game, saw Ealing begin to dominate proceedings again. They enjoyed the  lions share of possession but were finding holes in the visitors defence hard to locate.

Looking to move the ball into the wider less wet channels, Ealing were penalised for not releasing  and on 75 minutes Ross Laidlaw extended the visitors lead to 3-9, and the game seemed to be edging Park’s way. Ealing were battering into the opposition but were finding no way through. One such attack ended when full back Richard Davies cleared his lines from a penalty, finding touch close to Ealing’s 10m.

For some inexplicable reason, Parks wing took a quick penalty, and given the conditions a catch and drive should have been the chosen option. The ball was spilled, Joe Price hacked on, and some nifty footwork from wing Phil Chester’s saw the Ealing speedster cross out wide on the left for his 18th try of the season.

The game hung on the conversion. Both kickers admitted after the game that the pitch had made kicking a lottery. The crowed went silent as Ben  Ward attempted to win the game with the last kick of the game. The kick had neither the legs or direction, but as Park leapt for joy, Ealing were left to wonder what if.  

Ealing Trailfinders skipper Jay King said after the game "The effort and commitment from all the guys was outstanding, I thought our defence was oustanding. Park had us under the cosh for some sustained periods and to keep them out showed a real desire from the guys. The result was disappointing but the nature of league rugby is that you have to shake these defeats off pretty sharpish and get on with it. We know what we have to do as a squad, it pretty simple, and we are all focused on this."

A game that given the conditions was a credit to both sides, both of whom would have preferred to see dryer conditions. A losing bonus point to Ealing now  leaves them in 3rd position, level on league points with Park on 81, and 4 behind leaders Barking who won the battle of Essex against Southend.

Next weekend – Ealing travel to Oxfordshire to visit Henley RFC. Kick off is 3pm . For details see http://www.henleyrugbyclub.org.uk/

Ealing Trailfinders team:

15 – Pete Hodgkinson 14 – Owen Bruynseels 13- Markus Burcham 12 – Joe Price 11 – Phil Chesters 10 – Ben Ward 9 – Paddy Gill 1- Steve Neville 2 – Jon Moyce 3 – Dinos Alexpoulous   4 – Blair Morris  5 – James Winterbottom 6 – Luke Wallace 7- Jay King (C) 8 – Guthrie Hall

Subs – 16 – Lewis Brown  17 – Sungo Kuwana 17 – Rob Buchanan 18 – Gethin Davies 19 – Dave Essien 20 – Richard Briggs

Scoring:

Ealing – 15  minutes Ben Ward ( Penalty) , 79 minutes Phil Chesters (try)

Rosslyn Park – 3, 25 & 75 minutes Ross Laidlaw (Penalities)

Photos

 

Skipper Jay King with mascots Oran G, Jamie S & Sam C

Second row James Winterbottom drives into the Rosslyn Park defence

Piano shifters show they can run as well! Prop Steve Neville shows his pace

 

REPORT: Belsize Park II 40 – 0 Ealing Exiles

Star winger Ian Thynne reports the Exiles’ trip to Regent’s Park.

Saturday’s game saw the Exiles make the trip to Regent’s Park to play Belsize Park II.  The previous game in the season showed the Exiles in brilliant defensive form against a well-drilled Belsize team: the result was a close encounter with Belsize’s attack edging past the Exiles 0-14.

This game was to go slightly differently.  Having struggled much of the season, the Exiles once again failed to find a consistent team selection meaning more disruption to the starting line up.  It is safe to say that if the Exiles had managed to get a consistent team together this season, we would be winning the league.  It is safe to say that, because it did not happen and so no one can prove me wrong.

So in the complete antithesis to professional rugby, and probably Belsize rugby, the Exiles adopted a wait-and-see approach to team selection: the first 15 to arrive were starting.  Thanks to a couple of lads from SODAM for helping the Exiles reach a decent squad size and giving us a fighting chance.

The conditions were perfect for running rugby, which given the previous confrontation, would favour Belsize.  The Exiles kicked off and immediately found a flaw in Belsize set-up: a flaw that we got to exploit several times over – not securing the kick off.  But unfortunately that was about the only area where Belsize were weaker than us.

Once they found their feet, Belsize dominated.  The Exiles were manful in defence and there was no lack of commitment.  But it was Belsize who would open the scoring (if you saw the title of this article, you know it was not the Exiles to open the scoring).  A scrum on the Exiles ten-metre line to Belsize was carefully wheeled, opening up the blind side.  Their nippy scrum-half picked and raced into a gap.  A simple pass inside saw their fly half cross for an easy score.  From then on things went from bad to worse – arguably the worst moment and turning point in the game was the injury to Steve R, his withdrawal some 20 minutes in probably cost us the game…

The Exiles had their moments, but a lack of collectiveness and teamwork was costing us.  We tried playing a game from the base of the rucks, with individual charges gaining ground but lacking support.  The Exiles won plenty of turnover ball, but it took so many to do it that the next player would be isolated and also be turned-over.

French Nic, playing his last game for the Exiles before shipping out to Holland, was trying his best to get the Exiles going, but the opposition had a very well drilled outfit, and gaps were limited.  Belsize scored another couple of tries, the most notable and telling was their third.  The Exiles had a scrum deep in the Belsize 22 which they turned over and instead of a Delon Armitage-esque aimless punt downfield, they ran like the wind.  A superb cover tackle by outside centre Steve took their winger into touch five metres from the Exiles try line – not a bad return from the Exiles scrum.  From the ensuing lineout, Belsize stole the ball and rumbled over.  From two Exiles set pieces, the first ten metres from their line, we were now stood behind the try line again.

In the second half we did not fare much better.  Confusion reigned as only 14 took to the pitch at the restart.  This was amateur rugby at its best.  Finally up to 15, the Exiles continued in a similar vein to the first half.  With great defence and attack from first play, the second phases generally resembled chaos.  Time and again Belsize would be stopped initially with outstanding defence, but quick ball would find the defence lacking organisation.  Nonetheless, the Exiles kept going until the end of the game, and never once stopped trying.  If the Exiles could match organisation to their commitment then frankly we would be world-beaters – probably.

On a positive note, the Exiles had Belsize well beaten at the restarts thanks to some good drop-kicks.  Sadly, the league does not measure teams on restarts.

Bon voyage to French Nic and best of luck.

Ian

PREVIEW: Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV v Rosslyn Park Saturday 27th February

We welcome this weekend to Vallis Way, our close rivals Rosslyn Park from across the river, to this table topping clash as 2nd place plays 3rd. Games don’t come any bigger than this, but both sides will be aware that there will still be plenty of games to play, and other teams will have a say in what happens at the top of National 2 South.

Rosslyn Park come into this fixture on the back of some great form. They have won their previous six games sor far this year, averaging 41 points per game including the closest of wins against table toppers Barking , 11-10, at the Rock. Last weekend they won against Dings and have also beaten Combe by over 70 points as well.

Ealing Director of Rugby Mike Cudmore is only too aware of Parks form "Rosslyn Park a good side who have some very experienced players and that is why they are at the top of the table.  We are approaching this game like every other one we have played this season.  We have trained hard and the players know what is required of them.  It is now down to the team that delivers on the day and wants it the most."

Club History

We are often asked “why Rosslyn Park?” “Where is Rosslyn Park?” and so on. These notes are an attempt to tell you a little bit of our origins and past history.

The club was founded in 1879 when a group of young cricketers decided to form a football club in order to stay together during the winter months. They had originally played their scratch games of cricket in the grounds of Rosslyn House, part of the Rosslyn Park Estate and had therefore taken the name “Rosslyn Park” for their cricket club. When they formed their rugby club they took the same name. Some histories have tried to link the club with the Earls of Rosslyn. Whilst Baron Loughborough, the first Earl of Rosslyn once lived at Rosslyn House, its name was only changed from ‘Shelford Lodge ‘ to ‘Rosslyn House’ after his death. And in any case he died more than 60 years before the club was formed! Neither the football club, nor the cricket club once formed, ever played at Rosslyn Park.

Game Preview

So who are the danger men for Park? It’s difficult to put it down to one person, Park are clearly a team on form, and they have plenty of game winners in their line-up.

Fly half Ross Laidlaw has won quite a few tight games for them, he has amassed 223 points so far this season. Wing James Strong has crossed the line for 14 tries so far, followed by  centre Marc Sweeny who has 7 tries to his name. Their team is strong across the park, with plenty of experience within their park, including Mark Lock our number 8 from last season.

Comparing the two teams, Ealing have scored 98 tries compared to Park’s 79 in their 19 outings. Park have scored 233 points away from Priory Lane, whilst we have managed 360 at Vallis Way. We have scored 44 tries in the first half against Park’s 35 and 54 v 44 in the second half!

Park have seen yellow on 12 occasions against our angelic 6  – Flankers Johnny Barrett and Morgan Jones have 2 yellow cards each.

Ealing’s own player maker Ben Ward said before training on Thursday, "Obviously its a big game that will have an effect on the outcome at the end of the season. Both teams know how each other play and its who delivers on the day that will come out on top. I expect it to be a tight game."

Recent games between Ealing Trailfinders & Rosslyn Park

31/10/09  Park 31 Ealing Trailfinders 24

18/04/09  Park 26  Ealing Trailfinders 21

06/09/08  Ealing Trailfinders 18 Park 8

09/02/08  Ealing Trailfinders 26 Park 20

06/10/07  Park 21 Ealing Trailfinders 10