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

Make sure you’re ready for another London derby, as we face London Scottish at TFSC this Saturday.

RFU CHAMPIONSHIP – ROUND 16

Date: Saturday 11th March

Kick-Off: 3pm

Location: Trailfinders Sports Club

Tickets: Available from £16 – click here to purchase

Coverage: Live coverage will be available via our Twitter feed

 

SIX NATIONS SCREENINGS:

We will be showing the Italy v Wales (2:15pm) and England v France (4:45pm) Six Nations matches LIVE on the big screen in the clubhouse.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH SPONSOR:

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

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 on our website and social media channels. You can also scan the QR code posters at the ground to read for free.

ONE BRAVE TRAILFINDER:

Earlier this year, Ealing Trailfinders Under 15s player Tom Fawcett was diagnosed with cancer. This was a massive shock for Tom, his family and friends, and his Trailfinder teammates. Cancer is often thought of as something that affects older people but that is not always the case. As he continues his fight against the disease, his teammates wanted to do something positive. The Ealing Trailfinders Under 15s are playing in Saturday’s exhibition match against Chess Valley RFC and decided to take this opportunity to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK, to help fund the research to improve remission rates, and ultimately find a cure for this dreadful disease. 
Please join your fellow Trailfinders by showing your support for Tom and his family. To make a donation click here.

MATCH DAY SCHEDULE:

 

12:15pm: Ealing Trailfinders U15s v Chess Valley U15s

 

1:30pm: Club Shop Open

2:15pm: Italy v Wales LIVE screening

2:55pm: Guard of Honour

3pm: Ealing Trailfinders v London Scottish

Half-Time: Women’s 7s Match (Henley College & Cardinal Newman)

Full-Time: Bread Street Café Player of the Match

4:45pm: England v France LIVE screening

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION:

After a difficult season last year, London Scottish are much improved this campaign. They have had a fresh injection of talent into their ranks, both among the players and coaches, and this is partly due to their strategic partnership with Premiership side Harlequins, which was announced last year.

So far this season, internationals such as Scott Steele and experienced Premiership names like James Chisholm, Aaron Morris and Lennox Anyanwu have all ran out for the Exiles. Despite this extra firepower, they still sit bottom of the table, but have had several near misses, losing to Hartpury by a point and almost causing the ultimate upset by beating Jersey on the Island, had it not been for a last minute penalty sailing just wide.

LAST TIME WE MET:

It was back in late October that Trailfinders travelled to the RAG to face London Scottish. At the time, it was the Scots’ best performance of the season, as they remained in the game throughout with it only being in the last 20 minutes that the West-Londoners pulled clear.

An early penalty try and score from Steven Shingler were both cancelled out by the hosts, before Carlo Tizzano and Barney Maddison secured the bonus point inside the first 40, with the score at half-time being 14-26.

The Exiles then came out the blocks fast after the break, scoring their third of the afternoon and almost taking the lead had it not been for a great scramble defence. However late tries from Rayn Smid, Luke Daniels, Jordan Burns and two from Shaun Malton ensured the 21-57 victory.

FORM GUIDE:

Ealing Trailfinders:

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.

W: Ealing Trailfinders 71-14 Nottingham (Saturday 11th February)

Click here to watch match highlights.

London Scottish:

L: Coventry 31-13 London Scottish (Saturday 4th March)

L: London Scottish 31-47 Coventry (Friday 17th February)

L: Doncaster Knights 66-12 London Scottish (Saturday 11th February)

MATCH OFFICIALS

 

Referee: Alex Thomas

 

AR1: Peter Brunt

 

AR2: James Clarke

 

 

 

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!

Get ready for Saturday’s Championship Cup clash with Nottingham by reading our free programme.

CLICK HERE to read this week’s programme.

Click here to follow our LIVE Twitter coverage.

Inside this week’s programme there is:

– Ben Ward’s Welcome

– Facing Old Friends – Neil Fowkes

– Quick Fire Questions – David Douglas Bridge

– Insight into Nottingham

– Three Players To Watch

The links for every programme will be posted across our social media channels and website each week, as well as scannable QR codes around Trailfinders Sports Club. To visit our match programme hub click here.

Click here to purchase tickets for Saturday’s match (KO 3pm).

Make sure you’re ready for our trip to Jersey this weekend, as we face the Reds in this potential Pool 1 Cup decider.

JERSEY REDS V EALING TRAILFINDERS – CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS.

RFU CHAMPIONSHIP CUP- ROUND 4:

Date: Saturday 4th February

Kick-Off: 2pm

Location: Stade Santander International, Jersey

Tickets: Available from £15 – click here to purchase tickets.

Coverage: Live coverage will be available via our Twitter feed.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE OPPOSITION:

Jersey Reds got their Championship Cup campaign of to the best possible start after two strong performances against Nottingham and Hartpury.

Visiting The Bay is tough for any opposition, which makes their 12-38 victory even more impressive! They then returned home to Stade Santander International and ran out comfortable 55-24 victors to make them 2/2.

The final Cup game of the first block came at Trailfinders Sport Club, as the two only undefeated Championship teams locked horns. It was a physical, hard-fought battle which saw Trailfinders eventually edge it 22-13.

Jersey however, put this one defeat behind them and kicked on in the league, keeping up their 100% record all the way up until Christmas Eve when they travelled to TFSC again.

After some weeks off, they started 2023 with an impressive comeback performance away at Coventry, coming back from 19-5 down with seven minutes to go, to draw 19-19. They used this momentum to gain maximum points in the last two league games to close the gap on Trailfinders at the top of the table.

Both Jersey and Trailfinders have strong chances of progressing in the Cup, with there being one ‘best runner-up’ spot, but the winner on Saturday will see themselves in pole position to top Pool 1.

LAST TIME WE MET:

It was just over a month ago that we faced Jersey Reds, as they travelled to TFSC on Christmas Eve. Both sides arrived there unbeaten in the league ahead of this festive blockbuster and it was Reuben Bird-Tulloch who got the hosts off to the perfect start.

Jersey responded immediately to make it 7-5, before almost heading in front from an intercept, but Jonah Holmes did superbly well to hunt down Brendan Owen and tackle him 15 metres before the line. With this momentum, Cian Kelleher was able to score Trailfinders’ second, before Craig Hampson added a third just after the half-hour mark. James Dun was able to dot down just before the break for the visitors to make it 19-12 at half-time.

The second 40 saw the Reds come out of the blocks quickly, but they were unable to capitalise. Then, with their first attack of the half, Hampson sold the most outrageous dummy from close range to grab his brace.

A Craig Willis penalty was then diffused by a third Jersey try, before Hampson put Ross Kane in for his first ever try in professional rugby.

With the game heading for the end, Jersey grabbed their bonus point score, but it was Willis who had the last say as he was bundled over in the final moments before converting his own score, making it Ealing Trailfinders 43-22 Jersey Reds.

FORM GUIDE:

Jersey Reds:

W: Cornish Pirates 25-34 Jersey Reds (Saturday 28th January)

W: Jersey Reds 24-22 London Scottish (Saturday 21st January)

D: Coventry 19-19 Ealing Trailfinders (Saturday 14th January)

Ealing Trailfinders:

L: Ealing Trailfinders 19-22 Coventry (Saturday 28th January)

Click here to watch match highlights.

W: Hartpury 13-26 Ealing Trailfinders (Saturday 21st January)

Click here to watch match highlights.

W: Ealing Trailfinders 35-24 Ampthill (Saturday 14th January)

Click here to watch match highlights.