It’s time for some knockout rugby, as we host Doncaster Knights in the semi-final of the Championship Cup.

CHAMPIONSHIP CUP – SEMI-FINAL

Date: Saturday 6th May

Kick-Off: 3pm

Location: Trailfinders Sports Club

Tickets: Available from £16 – click here to purchase

Coverage: Live coverage of the game will be available via our Twitter feed

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION:

After pushing us all the way in the title race last year, Doncaster haven’t seen as many results go their way this season, but are still a force to be reckoned with.

After mixed results around Christmas and the new year, the Knights rebound their form in January with important wins over Richmond and Nottingham.

They then almost became the first side to end Bedford Blues’ unbeaten home run, when they drew 42-42 in the Championship Cup at the end of February.

On the return to league action, tight losses against Coventry, Jersey Reds and Cornish Pirates could have dampened their spirits, but they regularly hit back with good results against London Scottish and then Caldy a fortnight ago.

The two sides faced each other last weekend, but with each team rotating some players, no one knows what to expect this weekend.

LAST TIME WE MET:

With the two teams facing last weekend, this round up should be more familiar than most!

After a physical first ten minutes, Luke Daniels was able to get over in the corner for the Trailfinders following great build-up play from the forwards.

A Robbie Smith double then edged the hosts in front, but as the first half clock ticked down, Simon Uzokwe made a great break through the centre of the field. The openside raced away, before drawing the last man and offloading to Bobby De Wee to allow the lock to score under the sticks to make the half-time score 14-14.

In the second 40, the visitors came out of the blocks firing. De Wee completed his brace on the 46 minute mark, before Reuben Bird-Tulloch slipped through a hole in the Doncaster defensive line ten minutes later.

With fifteen minutes left to play, Will Davis came off the bench to barge his way over to score the fifth and final try and make the final score Doncaster Knights 14-35 Ealing Trailfinders.

FORM GUIDE:

Doncaster Knights

L: Doncaster Knights 14-35 Ealing Trailfinders (Saturday 29th April)

W: Caldy 7-38 Doncaster Knights (Saturday 22nd April)

W: Doncaster Knights 13-14 Cornish Pirates (Saturday 15th April)

Ealing Trailfinders:

W: Doncaster Knights 14-35 Ealing Trailfinders (Saturday 29th April)

Click here to watch match highlights.

L: Jersey Reds 19-13 Ealing Trailfinders (Saturday 22nd April)

Click here to watch match highlights.

W: Ealing Trailfinders 73-14 Caldy (Saturday 15th April)

Click here to watch match highlights.

OFFICIALS:


Referee: Harry Walbaum

AR1: Alex Thomas

AR2: Mike Woods

With the two clubs separated by just one point, make sure you’re ready for Saturday’s mouth-watering match on the island!

 

RFU CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 20

Date: Saturday 22nd April

Kick-Off: 2pm

Location: Stade Santander International, Jersey

Tickets: Available from £15 – click here to purchase

Coverage: Live coverage of the game will be available via our Twitter feed. There will also be a free live stream which you can watch here.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION:

The other outstanding team in the league, Jersey currently sit on 91 points, just one behind the Trailfinders and they would have a perfect record in this competition, had it not been for the two rounds either side of the new year.

Their only defeat came on Christmas Eve at TFSC, as they fell by 43-22 in what was the Trailfinders largest crowd of the season. Then at the start of January, they travelled to an in form Coventry side.

With five minutes to go at Butts Park Arena, the hosts were up 19-5, but two scrum tries, first with Tim Grey dotting down and then a penalty try saw the Reds claim a famous 19-19 draw.

There have been a few close escapes as well, as two missed kicks by Doncaster in October and London Scottish in January meant that two victories could have easily been a draw and a loss.

But, ever since the game away in the West Midlands, Jersey have achieved maximum points in all eight of their league games to ensure that they remained right behind the Trailfinders.

LAST TIME WE MET:

Last time we faced Jersey was when we travelled to the island at the start of February as we faced each other in a crucial Pool A fixture in the Championship Cup.

After a strong start from the Trailfinders which saw them achieve everything apart from getting points on the board, the Reds grew into the match.

At the 20 minute mark, it was still scoreless but then the hosts entered a purple patch and scored three tries in the space of 15 minutes.

With the half-time whistle approaching, Alun Walker managed to muscle over at the back of a rolling maul to make the score 21-7 at the break.

After a strong end to the first 40, the Londoners continued this in the second-half, as Craig Hampson sniped at the fringes of the ruck to dot down under the sticks.

At the hour mark, Craig Willis slotted a penalty before then Trailfinders produced a try of the season contender, as some tasty front-row interplay saw Kevin O’Byrne then throw a no-look pass to release Nathan Earle as the winger sprinted away to score in the corner.

With the visitors now 21-22 up, Jersey responded with a converted try of their own to retake the league.

Then, with the clock in the red, the ball found its way to Jordan Burns who was playing out of position on the wing. With just a half-yard of space, he put on the afterburners and managed to scorch in and score in the corner. Willis then stepped up to snatch the win, but agonisingly it sailed just wide.

FORM GUIDE:

Jersey Reds

W: Bedford Blues 19-26 Jersey Reds (Saturday 15th April)

W: Doncaster Knights 24-52 Jersey Reds (Saturday 8th April)

W: Jersey Reds 52-10 Nottingham (Saturday 1st April)

Ealing Trailfinders:

W: Ealing Trailfinders 73-14 Caldy (Saturday 15th April)

Click here to watch match highlights.

W: Bedford Blues 31-40 Ealing Trailfinders (Saturday 1st April)

Click here to watch match highlights.

W: Ealing Trailfinders 50-12 Cornish Pirates (Saturday 25th March)

Click here to watch match highlights.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Christophe Ridley

AR1: Simon Harding

AR2: Hamish Grant

Make sure you’re ready for our last league home game of the season, as Caldy make their first ever trip to Trailfinders Sports Club!

RFU CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 20

Date: Saturday 15th April

Kick-Off: 3pm

Location: Trailfinders Sports Club

Tickets: Available from £16 – click here to purchase

Coverage: Live coverage via Twitter: @EalingTFRugby

MATCH HOSPITALITY:

To book our delicious pre-match lunch (two-course meal) email: hospitality@etprm.com or click here for further information.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH SPONSOR:

Thank you to Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Ealing Broadway, our 2022/23 Player of the Match Sponsor. Book your table at Bread Street Kitchen & Bar.

CLUB SHOP:

Our club shop, including our 2022/23 replica shirt, will be in operation from 1:30pm and will remain open throughout the game and post-match.

DIGITAL MATCH PROGRAMME:

Our free digital match programme will be published on the Friday before the game. The programme will be available via this link and our social media channels. You can also scan the QR code posters at the ground to read for free.

MATCH DAY SCHEDULE:

11:30am: Ealing Trailfinders Community Women v Didcott Women

12pm: Ealing Trailfinders U18s v Market Harborough

1:30pm: Club Shop Open

1:45pm: Ealing Trailfinders U12s v Sittingbourne RFC

2:15pm: Wales v England, Women’s 6 Nations

3pm: Ealing Trailfinders v Caldy

Half-Time: Ealing Trailfinders Cheerleaders

Full-Time: Bread Street Kitchen & Bar Player of the Match

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE OPPOSITION:

In what is Caldy’s first ever season in the Championship, the men from the Wirrall were always going to be something on an unknown quantity this year.

Close early losses against Hartpury, Nottingham and Ampthill and an impressive away win at Richmond put the new boys on the right path at the start of the season. As they moved into November, the Ravers looked to be losing their way somewhat, but a win against Ampthill in the cup helped put them back on track.

Then as Christmas came, their home form really started to pick up with wins over Cornish Pirates, Ealing Trailfinders, Bedford Blues and Richmond.

With Paton Field becoming a fortress, they have had some recent tricky away fixtures, with tough results coming at Jersey Reds and Coventry. An important win over the Exiles at the end of March ensured their place in the Championship next season and so it means Caldy will be playing without the shackles of potential relegation for their final three matches of the year.

LAST TIME WE MET:

After the initial fixture was postponed due to a frozen pitch, despite the full Trailfinders squad having already travelled up to Merseyside, the team returned at the start of January for their first ever trip to Paton Field.

After an early try from Jan-Henning Campher, the game drastically changed on the 22nd minute, as Ross Kane was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle at the ruck.

Needing to keep the scoreboard ticking over, Trailfinders were then awarded a penalty in front of the sticks. Willis stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty kick for the 0-10 lead at the break.

Further scores from Reuben Bird-Tulloch and Campher were sandwiched either side of a Caldy intercept score, but with half an hour left to go, the hosts started to make their extra man pay! Two quick tries made it a three point game with 15 minutes left to play and then two yellow cards saw Trailfinders down to 12 for the final few minutes.

With the clock in the red, and a massive overlap, Caldy were able to throw the ball wide and score in the corner to inflict the first visitor’s first defeat of the 2022/23 season.

FORM GUIDE:

Ealing Trailfinders:

W: Bedford Blues 31-40 Ealing Trailfinders (Saturday 1st April)

Click here to watch match highlights.

W: Ealing Trailfinders 50-12 Cornish Pirates (Saturday 25th March)

Click here to watch match highlights.

W: Nottingham 21-41 Ealing Trailfinders (Saturday 18th March)

Click here to watch match highlights.

Caldy:

L: Cornish Pirates 28-21 Caldy (Sunday 2nd April)

W: Caldy 26-19 London Scottish (Saturday 25th March)

L: Coventry 48-19 Caldy (Saturday 18th March)

MATCH OFFICIALS

 

Referee: George Selwood 

AR1: Jonathan Cook

AR2: Calum Howard

 

HOW TO FIND US:

By Road:

From the A40 take the B452 turn-off towards Ealing (actually signposted as Perivale) along the Argyle Road. Pass through a set of traffic lights and across a roundabout. At the second roundabout, (about 0.5km) turn right into Vallis Way. Trailfinders Sports Club entrance is at the end of the road. Click here to view map.

Car parking is available at the ground and costs £5 per vehicle. You can purchase your parking ticket at the gate via card or cash.

By Rail:

You can take a national rail train from Paddington to Ealing Broadway and then hop on a bus (see below). Click here for the latest National Rail updates.

By Tube:

The London Underground will be operating and you can take the Central Line, District Line or Elizabeth Line to Ealing Broadway, and then take a bus, taxi or walk to the ground (approx. 20 minute walk). Alternatively, you can take the Elizabeth line to West Ealing station and then walk to the ground (approx. 15 minutes).

By Bus:

Many buses stop in the vicinity of Trailfinders Sports Club, including the 297, E1, E2, E7, E9 and E10. The nearest bus stop to the ground is ‘Scotch Common’, which is a five minute walk to the club.

CUSTOMER SUPPORT:

For further information or assistance please email us on: info@etprm.com.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR MATCH DAY AT EALING TRAILFINDERS!

Make sure you’re ready to Saturday’s trip to The Bay as we prepare to face Nottingham.

RFU CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 17

Date: Saturday 18th March

Kick-Off: 2pm

Location: The Bay, Nottingham

Tickets: Available from £10 – click here to purchase

Coverage: Live coverage via Twitter: @EalingTFRugby

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE OPPOSITION:

Nottingham have had a tough start to 2023, but although they may have not always got the results they would have wanted, the performances have certainly been there.

The opening game of the year saw a valiant display down in Penzance as Cornish Pirates were able to grind out a 17-6 victory. They then faced the in-form Caldy, who won an exciting 17-29 affair before they travelled to Doncaster and faced a resurgent Knights side. With ten minutes left to play, the Archers were only five points down, but a late penalty followed by an intercept try saw the hosts win it 32-17.

After a difficult January, their first win of the year came in the Championship Cup as they beat Hartpury at the Bay 24-12. They were quickly bought back down to earth however, with three tough away trips, first to Trailfinders Sports Club and then Stade Santander and Dillingham Park. They were then back at home, facing Hartpury again, this time in the league, but were unable to achieve the same result, as the West Country men ran out 31-45 victors. Last weekend the Archers made the trip down to London to face Richmond. Despite not having won for over a month, they put in an impressive first-half performance which saw them run out 17-28 winners at the RAG.

LAST TIME WE MET:

It was just over a month ago that we last faced the Archers, in round five of the Championship Cup.

A sensational first-half blitz saw us wrap up the try bonus inside 25 minutes as Cian Kelleher, Simon Uzokwe and an Alun Walker brace early on ensured the extra point.

Further scores from Reuben Bird-Tulloch, Jordan Burns, Jonah Holmes and Will Montgomery saw eight tries in total inside the first half as we went in at the break 52-7 up.

Although the second 40 didn’t see quite as many points, Kyle Whyte, Max Bodilly and Uzokwe all dotted down to see us run out 71-14 winners.

FORM GUIDE:

Ealing Trailfinders:

W: Ealing Trailfinders 66-0 London Scottish (Saturday 11th March)

Click here to watch match highlights

W: Richmond 0-50 Ealing Trailfinders (Saturday 4th March)

Click here to watch match highlights 

W: Hartpury 28-38 Ealing Trailfinders (Friday 17th February)

Click here to watch match highlights 

Nottingham:

W: Richmond 17-28 Nottingham (Saturday 11th March)

L: Nottingham 31-45 Hartpury (Friday 3rd March)

L: Ampthill 36-24 Nottingham (Saturday 25th February)

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Jack Makepeace

AR1: Alex Thomas

AR2: Simon Park