News - Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club

Match Round-Up: Bristol Bears vs Trailfinders

Trailfinders mounted a superb second-half comeback to topple Bristol Bears at North Bristol RFC.

The West-Country side opened the scoring in the opening few minutes as they crossed under the sticks. The conversion shortly followed and Trailfinders were up against it early on in proceedings.

After some back and forth, Bristol scored again, further strengthening their position. The conversion followed and The West London side had a Fourteen point deficit to overcome before the twenty minute mark.

Shortly after, Flo Long burst through the defence and crossed the tryline to score brilliantly to mark her return to PWR rugby following a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Rose Inman converted in strong headwinds to narrow the deficit to just seven points with twenty five minutes played.

Bears scored another just before halftime and added the conversion to take the score to 19-7 at the interval.

Halftime score: Bristol Bears 19-7 Trailfinders

Evie Collingbourne gave Trailfinders a much needed boost just after the break, as she dived over to score under the posts. Inman slotted the conversion to take the scoreline within a score at 19-14.

Bristol shortly answered back however, scoring a try of their own and further extending the lead to make it 24-14.

Amanda McQuade answered back after coming on, with a late try to keep the women in green in touching distance at 24-21 following Rosie Inman’s brilliantly improvised conversion as she added the extras via drop-goal after the ball she had initially placed on the tee had fallen off due to strong winds.

It was Lauren Manners who sealed a last gasp try for Trailfinders as she breached the Bears defence. Inman remained perfect from the tee and converted to take the score to 24-28.

Bristol mounted one last attack but the Trailfinders defence remained resolute and the referee called an end to proceedings following a Knock-on from the Bears.

Final score: Bristol Bears 24-28 Trailfinders

Tries: Flo Long, Evie Collingbourne, Amanda McQuade, Lauren Manners

Conversions: Rosie Inman (4/4)

News

Hayden Hyde previews Round One of Elior Champ Rugby

Trailfinders centre Hayden Hyde previews Round One against Chinnor.

Hyde is set to make his Champ Rugby debut for Ealing Trailfinders after joining the Club for the 2026/27 season. The centre has prior experience with the league after stints at London Scottish last season.

Ealing Trailfinders face Chinnor at Kingsey Road in Round One of the competition after playing Connacht and Edinburgh ‘A’ in pre-season.

It was Hyde who scored twice on debut against Connacht, impressing in Galway. He starts in the centres alongside Rory Scannell this Saturday.

‘It’s been a great start for me personally,’ Hyde said. ‘As a team, we’ve taken big strides over the course of pre-season. The games have brought everything together and it’s comes to life which is always exciting.’

Hyde credits one of his favourite moments from being a Trailfinder so far is getting on the scoreboard twice in Galway, after slicing through Connacht’s defensive line in a nail-biting pre-season match.

The English centre offered his thoughts on how he’s developing in the green and white jersey.

‘As a player, Trailfinders has been awesome. My abilities as a ball player are getting better and the time and effort from the coaches has been a huge part of that.’

Ahead of Elior Champ Rugby’s opening weekend, Hyde offered his thoughts on Trailfinders’ opposition on Saturday, Chinnor.

‘Chinnor are a good side. They’re really physical. I played against them for London Scottish last year. We didn’t score for the entirety of the second half. They never go away. So I’m expecting 80 intense minutes of rugby.

‘I think the key thing for us as a squad is delivering on the plan that we are set at the start of the week. Staying disciplined and consistent. This opening round is a challenge we’re all excited for. Bring it on.’

News, Team Lineup

Team News: Chinnor vs Ealing Trailfinders

Elior Champ Rugby is back and Ealing Trailfinders travel to Kingsey Road for Round One.

Director of Rugby Ben Ward has named his matchday 23 to face Chinnor in the first week of the 2026/27 instalment of the Champ.

After captaining his side to victory over Edinburgh ‘A’ last weekend, Scott Buckley retains his place as skipper.

Joining Buckley in the front row is Sam Grahamslaw at loosehead and George Davis at tighthead.

In the engine, a refreshed combination of Bobby De Wee and Emeka Atuanya start.

In the Trailfinders back row Will Montgomery is at blindside flanker and Jarrod Taylor is at openside flanker. David Douglas Bridge starts at eight.

Craig Hampson starts at scrum-half. Last week’s player of the match Louie Johnson retains his place at fly-half.

At inside centre is Rory Scannell with Hayden Hyde starting at outside centre after impressing in both pre-season fixtures.

Toby Cousins and Fionn Gibbons start on the wings with Will Feeney at fullback.

Ben Ward names a 6-2 bench split with the inclusions of Harry Thompson, Kyle Hatherell and Francis Moore.

Kick-off is at 5pm, Saturday 19 September.

Starting XV

15. Will Feeney

14. Fionn Gibbons

13. Hayden Hyde

12. Rory Scannell

11. Toby Cousins

10. Louie Johnson

9. Craig Hampson

1. Sam Grahamslaw

2. Scott Buckley (C)

3. George Davis

4. Bobby De Wee

5. Emeka Atuanya

6. Will Montgomery

7. Jarrod Taylor

8. David Douglas Bridge

REPLACEMENTS

16. Harry Thompson

17. Kyle Whyte

18. Kabous Bezuidenhout

19. George Shaw

20. Kyle Hatherell

21. Jack Kelleher

22. Michael Stronge

23. Francis Moore

News, Women's News

TRAILFINDERS LINEUP VS BRISTOL BEARS

Head Coach Barney Maddison has named his first Jaecoo PWR Next Gen Cup squad of the season. Trailfinders head to North Bristol RFC Tomorrow (Saturday 19th September, 13:00 Kick-Off) where they’ll take on Bristol Bears in their first competitive outing of the season.

Annabel Meta re-joins the squad after gaining valuable experience in camp with The Red Roses, as she packs down at Loosehead Prop. Flo Long starts at Tighthead while Niamh Swailes captains the side from Hooker.

New signing Teya Ashworth gets the nod at 4 after impressing in training since her arrival. She’s joined by Jas Adonri in the Second-Row.

It’s a young, dynamic Back-Row, with Evie Collingbourne at Openside Flanker, Jade Betsen at Blindside and Scarlet Down at Number Eight.

Brooke Bradley will be bringing her usual pace to proceedings at Scrum-Half. Her halfback partner for the match is Charlotte Brookes who will be looking to pull the strings from Fly-Half.

The midfield partnership is made up of Jess Cooksey at Inside Centre and Lauren Leone at Outside Centre.

The Back three is full of excitement and genuine pedigree. Rosie Inman starts at Fullback, she’s flanked on either wing by the electric Bo Westcombe Evans at Eleven and the one and only Ruby Tui at Fourteen.

Maddison has a number of exciting options at his disposal amongst the replacements, with the likes of Amanda McQuade and Isla Apiafi ready to come on and make an impact.

The match will be streamed LIVE on YouTube via the PWR channel. You can also follow the match on our official social channels.

STARTING XV

15. Rosie Inman

14. Ruby Tui

13. Lauren Leone

12. Jess Cooksey

11. Bo Westcombe Evans

10. Charlotte Brookes

9. Brooke Bradley

1. Annabel Meta

2. Niamh Swailes (C)

3. Flo Long

4. Teya Asworth

5. Jas Adonri

6. Jade Betsen

7. Evie Collingbourne

8. Scarlet Down

REPLACEMENTS

16. Amanda McQuade

17. Bethan Candlin

18. Lauren Manners

19. Gabby Brown

20. Lucy Sharpe

21. Sophie Molton

22. Poppy Symons

23. Isla Apiafi

News

BUCS announce landmark partnership with Clubber TV

British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) has announced a new three-year partnership with Clubber TV that will significantly increase the visibility and accessibility of BUCS Super Rugby, with every Men’s and Women’s BUCS Super Rugby fixture streamed live during the 2026-27 season.

All of Brunel University’s BUCS Super Rugby fixtures will be broadcast live on ClubberTV.

The landmark agreement will see 144 BUCS Super Rugby fixtures streamed live, covering the league programme and BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championship phase. It represents a major increase from around 20% of matches being streamed during the 2025-26 season.

A highlights package will be created for every game, while Clubber TV’s live clipping tools will be available to every participating university, giving teams the ability to capture and share key moments directly across their own social media channels.

As part of the agreement, 18 fixtures will be available free-to-air, with one home match from each participating team available for supporters to watch without a subscription. This free-to-air schedule will start on Wednesday 23 September when Bath host Loughborough, in a mouth-watering replay of last season’s Championship Final.

The partnership will give students, families, alumni and supporters greater access to university rugby, allowing them to follow their teams and players wherever they are, while giving players a bigger platform to showcase their talents.

It will also shine a greater spotlight on the pathway from university rugby into the professional game. More than 40 players who competed in BUCS Super Rugby last season are now playing in Champ Rugby, demonstrating the role university rugby plays in developing players who go on to compete at the next level.

BUCS CEO Will Roberts said:

‘We’re delighted to be partnering with Clubber TV for the next three years. Moving from around 20% of BUCS Super Rugby matches being streamed to every men’s and women’s fixture being available live is a huge step forward for university rugby.

‘This is about much more than watching matches. It gives players greater visibility, gives universities more content to share, gives families and supporters the opportunity to follow their teams wherever they are and provides a bigger platform for the next generation of rugby talent.

‘Clubber shares our ambition to make student sport more accessible, engaging and sustainable, and we’re excited about what this partnership can do for BUCS Super Rugby and university sport.’

For the first weeks of the partnership, BUCS students and supporters will also be able to access an exclusive discount on Clubber TV season passes, significantly reducing the standard annual price. This season pass will also include access to Clubber’s coverage of Champ Rugby.

News

EVERY MILE MATTERS: RUNNING FOR EALING TRAILFINDERS FOUNDATION

When Ealing Trailfinders club staff and trustees take on the Ealing Half Marathon later this month, they will be running for people whose stories bring the Ealing Trailfinders Foundation’s work into the spotlight.

Among them is Peter, who is undergoing cancer treatment and attends Ealing Trailfinders’ Walking Rugby sessions each week. Speaking to us after a session, he told the team that, at the moment, the Club and those weekly sessions are the only thing keeping him going.

‘What can I say about walking rugby? Get involved! Get involved in sport! Get yourself down! I won’t tell you my age, but if I can do it, then other people can do it. Especially walking rugby! I’m worn out now, but it was a good session today!’

After a piece on the club’s website piqued his interest, and prompted a first try, Peter’s diagnosis provided a sudden halt to what had become his weekly ritual. However, as soon as he was able, he then returned to his teammates at Trailfinders Sports Club.

‘I was looking at the website. Looking at the usual things – player profiles, etc, and then I saw it – walking rugby. I thought it looked interesting, so I came down on a Tuesday night, and just really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with cancer, so I had to leave it for 9 months. I had a PICC in my arm, but once that was gone, I was right back into it. It’s really helped me a lot.’

Across Ealing, the Community & Foundation team help children discover sport, support people with disabilities to become more active, bring older residents together to combat isolation, and much more. Within that work are individual relationships with a level of importance that can be difficult to truly understand until somebody shares what they mean to them.

Ian Isham, Head of Community at Ealing Trailfinders, said, ‘When someone tells you how much being a part of something we may otherwise take for granted means to them, it stays with you long after the session finishes. You realise that something which can seem quite ordinary on a rota can be thing that somebody builds their week around.

‘Having people to talk to, being welcomed and knowing someone is pleased to see you – those things matter enormously. That is what we want people to find through the work we deliver.’

Later this month, on the weekend we host our first home fixture of the season against Richmond, the club extends its support across Ealing Half Marathon weekend. As headline sponsors of the Trailfinders Ealing Mini Mile, it will help hundreds of children enjoy being active together. Staff and trustees, including Ian, will also take on the half marathon to raise money for the Foundation’s community projects.

For Peter, that support already means more than many of us could imagine.

‘It’s the friendship. Regardless of if you come down on a matchday, or any other day, the club is just so friendly. You meet and chat with the players and they’re just so supportive. I don’t boast or talk much about my problem, but they’re always there for you. I don’t mean to be dropping names, but Jordy Reid, I saw him a couple of months ago, and he asked, “How’re you keeping?”, “How is the cancer going?”, “I haven’t seen you in God knows how long”. But that’s what it’s like. It’s brilliant.’

Donations to the Foundation help support local projects that make experiences like Peter’s possible. By backing our runners, you can help give more people a place to feel welcome, people to turn to, and something to look forward to.

Support the team by visiting the Ealing Trailfinders Foundation JustGiving page here.

News

TRAILFINDERS CELEBRATE EALING’S MUSICAL LEGACY

Ealing Trailfinders’ matchday artwork returns for the 2026/27 season, celebrating The Ealing Club and the boroughs wider contribution to British music through a series of album-inspired designs.

Across our men’s and women’s home league game fixtures, the borough will take centre stage in creative interpretations of iconic artwork connected to artists and musical stories linked with Ealing.

The concept continues last season’s celebration of Ealing Studios, which saw famous film posters reimagined through a Trailfinders lens. This year, the attention moves from screen to sound.

At the heart of the campaign is The Ealing Club. Widely regarded as the birthplace of British rhythm and blues, the venue helped create a musical movement that influenced generations of artists. The series will also look beyond the venue itself to celebrate the people and moments that have shaped Ealing’s wider musical legacy.

Ben Ward, Managing Director of Ealing Trailfinders, said:

‘Ealing is so much more than the location in our name – it’s a fundamental part of who we are.

‘We are proud to be championing the culture of our borough, and following last season’s celebration of Ealing Studios, pleased to continue the concept by shining a light on the borough’s extraordinary contribution to British music.’

The first home game at Trailfinders Sports Club this season, Ealing Trailfinders vs. Richmond on 27th September, will launch the series, with The Who’s ‘The Kids Are Alright’ receiving an unmistakably Trailfinders twist.

Tickets for the game are available here.

News

Clubber Annual Pass: 20% discount code for Ealing Trailfinders fans

For a second year running, ClubberTV will stream Elior Champ Rugby.

This weekend will see the return of Elior Champ Rugby and ClubberTV is the official streaming partner for all the games.

Trailfinders supporters can unlock 20% off an annual pass using the code EALI20.

There are a limited number of discount codes that will be allocated to viewers on a first come, first serve basis. The offer expires on September 18th 2026.

Make sure you catch all the Elior Champ Rugby action on ClubberTV for the 2026/27 season.

News

Match report: Ealing Trailfinders vs Edinburgh ‘A’

Ealing Trailfinders secure a victory over Edinburgh ‘A’ in their final pre-season fixture.

The men in green ran out at Trailfinders Sports Club for the first time for the 2026/27 season ahead of Elior Champ Rugby next week.

The home side dominated attack in the opening minutes of the game. Pressure down the wings with explosive runs and breakdown pressure had Trailfinders on top.

Yet, the initial handling errors meant that Trailfinders were unable to convert their 22 entries into points. Continued aerial battle pressure and rapid speed of ball saw Trailfinders continually stay on top in attack as the clock neared the ten minute mark.

Edinburgh struck back after holding themselves in defence with their first entry into Trailfinders’ 22. But pressure at the breakdown saw Trailfinders secure turnover ball. Michael Stronge put boot to ball, sending it into touch for a clean exit.

Trailfinders continued to look to the attack but the rust on the wheels was yet to come off for the men in green as the clock neared the end of the first quarter.

The home side were later rewarded with penalties in the red zone. A driving maul opportunity enabled Trailfinders to hunt down their first try scored by Jordy Reid. Louie Johnson added the conversion.

Once the first score was under their belt, Trailfinders kept the scoreboard ticking. Toby Cousins broke down the wing on the 26th minute to score the second try of the game.

Edinburgh weren’t walking away quietly. They pressed forward with their own attacking pressure to score under the posts and add the conversion to close the scoreboard down to five differentiating points.

However, a second driving maul try scored by Scott Buckley enabled Trailfinders to continue the score advantage going into half-time.

Half-time: Ealing Trailfinders 19-12 Edinburgh ‘A’

It was the second half that put any of the Scottish outfit’s threats to bed.

Trailfinders won a penalty in the opening minutes of the second half. A break from Will Feeney down the right wing set him up for Trailfinders’ fourth try.

Moments later, Edinburgh ‘A’ struck back with their third try from a driving maul of their own. The following minutes of play saw Trailfinders in defence as Edinburgh looked to hold the upper hand.

Replacements from the Trailfinders bench were brought onto the field before Edinburgh could throw the lineout. Fresh legs and strong defensive pressure saw the visitors spill the ball forward.

Back in attack, Trailfinders’ fifth try came from another successful lineout into a driving maul to extend the scoreline.

A back and forth battle continued between both sides in the centre field, although Edinburgh struggled to gain a foothold on the latter stage of the match. Trailfinders stormed forward, going through the phases. Eventually fruitful, Fyn Brown scored from short range in a power game. Rory Scannell added the conversion.

A try on debut for Tom Florence sixty seconds later wrote the script for the scoreline as time on the clock dwindled. Scannell added another conversion.

The visitors stuck in the fight until the very end, having the upper hand in the red zone until a spilt ball meant that the referee blew the full-time whistle in favour of the home side.

Full-time: Ealing Trailfinders 45-17 Edinburgh ‘A’

Player of the Match: Louie Johnson