Ealing Trailfinders start 2026 with a bonus-point win with a dramatic 34–33 victory over Worcester Warriors at Trailfinders Sports Club.
The first meeting between the two sides lived up to expectation, with a high-scoring contest that swung repeatedly as both teams battled for control.
It was a tense opening, with an early knock-on from Ealing Trailfinders handing Worcester possession inside the Trailfinders’ half. From the resulting scrum, the ball was worked down a narrow channel to within a yard of the whitewash, before Trailfinders were able to clear after being awarded a relieving penalty.
Trailfinders soon applied pressure of their own. From a rolling maul just five feet out of the try line, Scott Buckley broke free to touch down and open the scoring. Dan Jones was unsuccessful with the conversion.
Moments later, Francis Moore doubled the advantage, breaking from 50 metres out and racing down the wing to score less than two minutes later. Jones converted to extend Trailfinders’ lead.
It was not long until Worcester responded, as Trailfinders attempted to clear from deep, Billy Keast charged down the kick and gathered to score for the Warriors. Will Reed successfully converted.
A penalty advantage soon followed for Worcester, which Austin Wallis took quickly with a tap-and-go, touching down to level the scores. Reed missed the conversion.
Trailfinders edged back in front when Dan Jones opted to take the three points from a penalty.
Worcester struck again through another Wallis tap-and-go. After a pile-up on the line and sustained pressure against a fortified Trailfinders defence, Obinna Nkwocha eventually forced his way over. Reed added the conversion to put the Warriors ahead.
An offside penalty then allowed Jones to kick into the corner. A driving maul crossed the line, but the try was ruled out for a crossing offence, keeping the crowd on edge.
Trailfinders finally regained the lead following another penalty. From the lineout, the ball was worked to Kyle Hatherell, who made ground just short of the line before offloading it to Josh Taylor, who crossed to score. Jones added the extras.
Just before half-time, a clearance from Trailfinders was gathered by Juan Gonzalez for the Warriors. He kicked through the defence to collect and passed out to Josh Bassett before grounding the ball over the line. Reed added the conversion.
Half-time: Ealing Trailfinders 22 – 26 Worcester Warriors
Trailfinders came out with early intent in the second half, denying the Warriors an early score by tacking an attacking Warrior into touch before clearing their lines.
It was Trailfinders who were first to add to the scoreboard after the break, securing their bonus-point try as Scott Buckley crashed over for his second of the afternoon. The conversion was missed.
Worcester hit back quickly, moving the ball wide to Roma Zheng, who found himself one-on-one with Geordie Gwynn. Zheng slipped through the narrow channel at pace to touch down, with Reed converting.
Trailfinders refused to let the game slip away. A break from Gwynn down the wing led to a defensive pile-up and several attacking phases, before Craig Hampson found space to reach over the line. Jones again added the conversion.
In the closing minutes, a high tackle from Craig Hampson on Tom Hendrickson saw him shown a yellow card. Worcester were awarded a penalty, which Reed attempted, but the kick struck the post, leaving Trailfinders just one point ahead as the match closed in tense fashion.
Full-time: Ealing Trailfinders 34 – 33 Worcester Warriors
Ealing Trailfinders:
Tries – Scott Buckly 9 49 Francis Moore 11 Josh Taylor 36 Craig Hampson 69
Conversions – Dan Jones 11 24 36 69
Penalty – Dan Jones 24
Worcester Warriors:
Tries – Billy Keast 14 Austin Wallis 20 Obinna Nkwocha 25 Juan Gonzalez 40 Roma Zheng 65
Conversions – Will Reed 14 25 40 65
