LOAN WATCH: CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1

As the new Championship season got underway, it wasn’t just against Doncaster that some Trailfinders were in action.

In a new segment for this season, each week we’ll round-up all the impacts made by our loan or duel-registered players over the weekend.

This week there were Trailfinders in action for Bedford Blues and London Scottish.

Coventry 26-18 Bedford Blues

On the opening night of the new Championship season, centre James Little and back-row Ollie Newman both ran out for Bedford Blues in their defeat at Coventry.

Their involvement was relatively last minute, as it had appeared that Bedford may have struggled to field a team due to their strategic partners, Northampton Saints, having two fixtures within 24-hours of the Blues’ league opener. Pre-game, Bedford Director of Rugby Mike Rayer said: “We’re indebted to Ben Ward and Pat Lam (Bristol Bears DoR) for their assistance this week going into our first game. Preparation has been pretty good all things considered.”

Despite a quick start, Bedford’s ill-discipline ultimately cost them as they conceded 22 penalties which helped Coventry to their eight point victory.

James was the more effective of the pair, making the second most carries by constantly charging through the midfield and was one of only two players to make an offload for Bedford as they were prevented from playing their traditional free flowing, attacking rugby.

Ollie, returning to the club he spent the past two seasons on dual-registration with from Northampton Saints, was as tenacious as ever, disrupting the breakdown throughout the contest.

Between the two of them they made 13 tackles, including two from James within two metres of the line when trying  to repel the Coventry attack, but ultimately the hosts were too powerful at the driving maul and built a platform to secure victory.

London Scottish 10-31 Nottingham

Prop Elliot Chilvers and utility-back Josh Gillespie have both been performing well for London Scottish throughout preseason. Elliot started in the Exiles’ strong performance at home against Harlequins a fortnight ago, while Josh got on the scoresheet during their impressive 34-26 away win at URC side Edinburgh.

Coming into Saturday’s fixture at the Athletic Ground, Scottish were rightfully optimistic about getting a result, but fell to a clinical Nottingham performance.

Josh started the game and looked industrious for his 60 minutes, constantly looking for work. Elliot impressed off the bench, despite the fate of the game already being sealed when he came onto the pitch. He worked hard, winning several scrum penalties in the final quarter and also helping push over hooker Austin Wallis for Scottish’s final try of the game.

FIREWORKS PARTY 2022: TICKETS ON SALE

Trailfinders Sports Club will host the annual Fireworks Party on Saturday 5th November with an exciting evening planned.

You can expect their usual fantastic fireworks show with entertainment throughout the evening plus extra family entertainment for 2022 so get down early to make the most of what’s on offer!

Last year’s display sold out early so make sure to buy your tickets quickly to secure your spot at this years display. There will be food stalls, bars, mulled wine & sweets stations available throughout the venue.

CLICK HERE to book your tickets.

TICKETS: EALING TRAILFINDERS V DONCASTER KNIGHTS

Tickets are now on sale for Saturday’s blockbuster league opener against Doncaster Knights.

EALING TRAILFINDERS v DONCASTER KNIGHTS – CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS.

 

RFU Championship – Round 1

 

Date: Saturday 10th September

Kick-Off: 3pm

Location: Trailfinders Sports Club

Tickets: Available from £16 (buy tickets here)

Coverage: Live coverage of the game will be available via our Twitter feed and the live blog on our website

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MATCH DAY LIVE: ZEBRE PARMA (H)

Welcome to Match Day Live – Ealing Trailfinders v Zebre Parma (Preseason Fixture).

This page will be updated regularly throughout the game so please remember to refresh your page every few minutes (KO 3pm UK time).

FULL-TIME: EALING TRAILFINDERS 42-12 ZEBRE PARMA

80min- TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS– Reuben Bird-Tulloch adds the gloss as he scores his second following a great break by Campher. Shingler adds the extras.

77min- Zebre look to be building nicely but as they break through, they are called back for obstruction.

73min- TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS- A strong scrum gives us a great platform. Jack Grant puts Reuben Bird-Tulloch through a gap before the centre sidesteps the fullback and dots down underneath the sticks. Shingler adds the extras.

EALING TRAILFIDNERS 35-12 ZEBRE PARMA

70min- A delicious break from Will Montgomery slices them open through the middle. He can’t quite find support and so we recycle, but Luke Daniels is just pushed into touch inside their 22.

65min- TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS- Another great rolling maul sees Jan-Henning Campher crash over. Shingler converts again from the touchline.

EALING TRAILFIDNERS 28-12 ZEBRE PARMA

64min- A HUGE penalty at the scrum! We kick to touch and are 5m out.

63min- Zebre are keeping the ball well but are just going side to side. Eventually they knock on. Our scrum inside their half.

61min- A strong kick in behind and an equally strong chase sees us win this kicking battle. Our line-out just inside their half.

60min- Just as Zebre looked to be taking momentum, we managed to force the choke tackle and it’ll be our put in on our 22.

57min- A clever kick in behind just rolls one rotation to much. It goes over the dead ball line with Jonah Holmes and Angus Kernohan almost scoring.

56min- Another great defensive set forces Zebre to kick away. The pressure is to much and the clearance is out on the full. Our line out 30m out.

53min- TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS- An immense rolling maul sees us march 15m up field. Rayn Smid breaks off the back before feeding back inside to Bobby De Wee! Shingler gets the extras.

EALING TRAILFIDNERS 21-12 ZEBRE PARMA

51min- A strong defensive set sees Zebre throw it forward again. Their scrum half infringes at the base of the scrum and we’ll kick to the corner.

49min- TRY ZEBRE PARMA- Off the back of their line out they slowly muscle closer and closer. A good running line puts them inches away and eventually they bundle over. Extras are added.

EALING TRAILFIDNERS 14-12 ZEBRE PARMA

46min- A good break by Zebre sees them get close to our line. They win the penalty and have a line out 5m out.

43min- TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS- A great move off the line out sees Hampson released. He frees Luke Daniels who gets over in the corner. Willis adds the extras from the touchline.

EALING TRAILFIDNERS 14-5 ZEBRE PARMA

42min- We win the penalty and kick to the corner.

41min- As Zebre look to throw the ball about a bit more, it just sails forward and we’ll have the put in.

40min- After a strong first carry from the hosts, we recover well and win the penalty from the breakdown.

40min- And we’re back underway for the second half!

HALF TIME: EALING TRAILFINDERS 7-5 ZEBRE PARMA

40min- A great break by Hampson on the stroke of half-time sees him get up to the 22, but he’s isolated and Zebre win the penalty. They kick to touch and that’ the first 40.

39min- Knock on by Zebre in the midfield and now it’s our scrum just inside our half.

38min- We complete the clearance as we win the free kick and manage to clear to touch.

37min- A huge effort! We win it against the head and now it’s our put in, 5m out

36min- Several reset scrums here as both sides are looking to get on top.

33min- A huge 5 minute defensive set sees us hold out Zebre, but in doing so the visitors win a penalty

28min- TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS- A great rolling maul sees us come within 5m of the line. We’re forced to use it and Hampson dives over from 5m out. Willis gets the extras and we take the lead.

EALING TRAILFINDERS 7-5 ZEBRE PARMA

26min- A tackle off the ball in the midfield sees us kick to touch and we’re now 10m out with the throw.

25min- The visitors look to throw it wide but good defence in the midfield forces the error as the pass goes straight to touch

22min- TRY ZEBRE PARMA– After a big overlap, the visitors are in in the corner for the game’s first score. Conversion is missed.

EALING TRAILFINDERS 0-5 ZEBRE PARMA

20min- The visitors win a penalty in midfield and are now 5m out.

18min- We looked like we were about to crash over from the rolling maul, but the referee calls us back for a knock on.

16min- We get the choke tackle and then win the penalty from the scrum.

15min- We’re back underway after our first water break. The visitors have a line out on halfway.

12min- A huge defensive set on our line sees us win the turnover just as it looks like Zebre were going to get the opener.

11min- We’re judged to have infringed on a scrum inside their half and Zebre will kick to touch.

6min- A big defensive set sees us win the penalty for holding on. Craig Willis finds touch well and it’ll be our throw.

5min- We get it away and Craig Hampson goes for a deep kick to touch that just goes out on the full. Zebre line-out just inside our half.

4min- A strong first scrum sees us win the free kick. We opt to scrum again!

3min- An exhausting first passage of play finally comes to an end with a Zebre Parma knock on just inside our half.

 

 

KICK OFF – And we’re underway here at Trailfinders Sports Club

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Team News: Zebre Parma (H)

Another strong lineup has been named ahead of our final preseason game as we face Zebre Parma.

EALING TRAILFINDERS v ZEBRE PARMA – CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS.

With our Championship opener against Doncaster Knights just a week away (buy tickets for the game here), we finally return home as we have our first runout at Trailfinders Sports Club of the season.

Up front, Kyle Whyte and Lewis Thiede will pack down either side of Alun Walker in the front-row. There is a new pairing in the engine room as Bobby De Wee comes back into the second-row alongside Danny Cutmore.

In the back-row, Rayn Smid is back in the number eight shirt after missing the first three preseason games due to injury. He comes in alongside Carlo Tizzano who comes off the back of scoring a brace away at Richmond last Friday. Rob Farrar will captain the team from blindside flanker after his standout performance away in Biarritz a fortnight ago.

The two Craigs reunite at half-back with Hampson and Willis looking to pull the strings from nine and ten respectively. Pat Howard and Max Bodilly combine in the midfield while Luke Daniels, Angus Kernohan and Jonah Holmes look to be a tasty back-three.

It is our last preseason game and therefore the last chance for many players in the squad to stake a claim to be involved next weekend. Because of this, Ben Ward and the coaching team have named a slightly larger squad, with 27 players being involved in order to give opportunities to as many people as possible.

Tickets for tomorrow’s game at Trailfinders Sports Club against Zebre Parma can be bought here.

Ealing Trailfinders team to face Zebre Parma (KO 3pm):


15. Jonah Holmes

14. Angus Kernohan

13. Max Bodilly

12. Pat Howard

11. Luke Daniels

10. Craig Willis

9. Craig Hampson

1. Kyle Whyte

2. Alun Walker

3. Lewis Thiede

4. Bobby De Wee

5. Danny Cutmore

6. Rob Farrar (C)

7. Carlo Tizzano

8. Rayn Smid

Replacements:

16. Jan-Henning Campher

17. James Gibbons

18. Jimmy Roots

19. David O’Connor

20. Will Montgomery

21. Jack Grant

22. Steven Shingler

23. Reuben Bird-Tulloch

24. Jack Digby

25. Ollie Newman

26. George Davis

27. Jack Metcalf

Bread Street Café to Sponsor Player of the Match Award

Ealing Trailfinders are delighted to announce that Bread Street Café in Ealing Broadway will sponsor the Player of the Match award for the upcoming season.

 

The restaurant, which came to Ealing Broadway almost a year ago, is inspired by Gordon Ramsay’s iconic Bread Street Kitchen in St Paul’s, London.

The restaurant prides itself on their impeccable service and offers a wide range of dishes from the classics with a modern twist, to Gordon Ramsay’s signature Beef Wellington.

At every home game in the league and in the cup, Bread Street Café will award the Player of the Match with a voucher for a free meal for two at their restaurant.

When speaking about their new sponsorship, Bread Street Café General Manager Paulo Teixeira said: “We’re so pleased to be sponsoring Ealing Trailfinders and the Player of the Match this season.

“Ever since we opened here, we always wanted to create bridges with the local community and we want all locals to feel at home in our restaurant. We’ve done that well over the last year but this sponsorship shows our further investment in the area and that we are behind the local community.

“We can’t wait for the season to get started and to welcome many Ealing players and supporters to Bread Street Café.”

Ealing Trailfinders Managing Director Ben Ward said: “It’s great to have a local business onboard sponsoring such a key aspect of our match-day experience.

“Bread Street Café is known for its quality and so it feels appropriate that we are partnering with another organisation with such high standards.

“The restaurant offers a great variety of dishes and I regularly see some of the boys and members of staff down here so I urge all of our supporters to follow suit.”

To learn more about Bread Street Café, or to make a table booking click here.

Bread Street Café’s first Player of the Match award will be handed out after the season opener against Doncaster Knights on Saturday 10th September. Make sure you buy your tickets for this game by clicking here.

 

Season Preview: Ben Ward Q&A (Tuesday 6th September)

Join us at Trailfinders Sports Club on Tuesday 6th September for an exclusive Q&A evening with Director of Rugby Ben Ward.

Commencing at 6pm in the clubhouse, Ben will preview the upcoming 2022/23 Championship season, provide an update on the league, our squad and new players, our preseason results and look ahead to our blockbuster league opener against Doncaster Knights (click here for tickets).

The Q&A is free to attend with the bar open from 6pm. You will have the opportunity to ask Ben questions in an open forum format from 6pm-7pm.

To register your place please email: info@etprm.com – confirming your name and the number of places you wish to book.

We look forward to welcoming you to Trailfinders Sports Club!

Match Preview: Zebre Parma (H)

The full match preview for this Saturday’s blockbuster preseason showdown against Zebre Parma at Trailfinders Sports Club.

EALING TRAILFINDERS v ZEBRE PARMA – CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS.

We will come into the game following a relatively strong set of preseason results. Two wins against Rosslyn Park and Richmond and a narrow loss away to Biarritz, only losing from a 50m penalty with the clock in the red, should have prepared the team well for this weekend’s game against Zebre.

The visit from the Italians promises to be the toughest test of preseason, ahead of the Championship starting at home on 10th September against fellow title contenders Doncaster Knights (buy tickets here).

About the opposition:

Despite their tricky campaign last year, the Italian side have reasons to be optimistic ahead of this season. Fabio Roselli was brought in as Head Coach towards the end of last year and there was a notable change in performance since his tenure.

There has been a high turnover of players during the offseason with around 20 players leaving and another 20 coming through the door. Although they lost internationals Danilo Fischetti and Giosuè Zilocchi to London Irish and Eduardo Bello to Saracens among others, they have recruited well, bringing in Kobus Van Wyk from Leicester Tigers, Tiff Eden from Bristol Bears and Jacques Du Toit from Bath.

What to expect:

This week’s opposition are something of an unknown quantity. The game will be their first preseason runout ahead of the URC starting in mid-September. They have two preseason games, facing Cardiff next weekend before they have a tricky league opener as they host Leinster. The Italians will be looking to hit the ground running this Saturday.

Match details:

Ealing Trailfinders v Zebre Parma

Date: Saturday 3rd September

Kick-Off: 3.00pm

Location: Trailfinders Sports Club

Tickets: Available from £16 (buy tickets here)

Coverage: Live coverage of the game will be available via our Twitter feed and the live blog on our website

Season tickets:

Season ticket holders can use their 2022/23 season ticket to gain access to Saturday’s match against Zebre. If you have not received your season ticket please email: info@etprm.com / alternatively click here to purchase.

Sports & Exercise Medical Conference

The first Ealing Trailfinders Sports and Exercise Medicine Conference will take place on Wednesday 16th November 2022, hosted by the club’s medical team.

The event, organised by the club’s Head of Medical Services, Gruff Parsons, is designed to bring together Sports and Exercise Medicine and Performance Science professionals from a range of sporting backgrounds, to share knowledge and encourage learning and development. 
 
The theme this year is “Making robust and informed decisions”.

The topic is aimed at placing high value on making objective and evidence-based decisions not only to improve Performance outcomes but also to protect the individual and the organisation from medico-legal risk.

We are delighted to announce the line-up has now been confirmed: 

Nick Worth – (Sports Physiotherapist with extensive experience in the Medico-legal field)

Topic: ‘The medico-legal challenges facing Physiotherapists in Sport’

Steve Wright (Head of Medical Services at Southampton Football Club)

Topic: ‘Pre-signing Medical exams: learned considerations and pitfalls from a Physiotherapist in Football perspective’

Ben Ashworth (Former Arsenal Senior Physiotherapist and developer of the ‘ASH’ test)

Topic: ‘Athletic Shoulder: Testing and Monitoring’

Dan Howells (Former Strength and Conditioning Co-ordinator at Houston Astros and founder of Collaborative Sports)

Topic: ‘The use of Force Decks to shape decision making on lower limb return to play’

Emma Gallivan (Senior Physiotherapist at Sale Sharks)

Topic: ‘Achilles Tendon Rupture & Repair – Return to Performance’

Simon Ball (Consultant Knee Surgeon at the Fortius clinic, London) 

Topic: ‘The complexity of managing career ending knee injuries in sport’

Stuart Lancaster * Via Video Link – (Former England Rugby Head Coach and current Senior Coach at Leinster Rugby) 

Topic: ‘What makes a World Class Medical Team?’

Tickets prices:

Standard Admission: £65

Early Bird Admission (valid until 16 Sept 2022): £55

Students (limited availability): £40

To book a place at the conference please click here.

For any further queries, please contact Gruff Parsons, Head of Medical Services on: gruff.parsons@etprm.com.

Ealing Trailfinders & Nudgee College Announce Partnership

Ealing Trailfinders are excited to confirm a new strategic partnership with Australian school, St Joseph’s Nudgee College.

The Brisbane based day and boarding school, caters for more than 1,700 students, with over 300 boarders, and has produced 27 Wallabies, including Rocky Elsom, Elton Flatley and James O’Connor.

The Nudgee College Rugby program consists of 90 coaches supported by a wealth of rugby knowledge which is complemented by a strong Strength & Conditioning program and medical professionals. These world class facilities made it the ideal backdrop to the documentary ‘The Season’ which was filmed in 2017 and again in 2021 and aired on streaming services as well as acknowledged by internationally known RugbyPass.

The partnership between Ealing Trailfinders and Nudgee College Rugby will give amazing opportunities for students to play and gain experience in high level rugby programs internationally whilst continuing their schooling. Both the students and the two clubs will benefit from a cross-over of knowledge sharing amongst the coaches and staff.

Sean Graham, Nudgee Rugby Director, is excited about this unique opportunity.

“We have a growth mindset in all areas of school life and are constantly striving for improvement. To be able to connect and collaborate with an organisation like Ealing Trailfinders, who share such a rich history and similar values, is something I fully embrace. We have a large rugby program with nearly 800 players and 90 coaches, the more opportunities we can provide for our players and coaches, particularly of this quality, the better”.

He spoke of his time with Simon Sinclair, Chief Operating Officer of Ealing Trailfinders Academy and Women’s Programme.

“Simon spent a week at our school last week and we are completely aligned on the possibilities that this partnership will bring to both organisations and can’t wait to watch it flourish.”

Sinclair said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be able to partner with St Joseph’s Nudgee College. From meeting with their Rugby Director Sean Graham, understanding his coaching philosophy and being shown round their facilities, I’m hugely excited to get started with this partnership.

“Their rich history and consistency for producing such high quality athletes is unrivaled and it will be great to work with one of the most successful rugby schools in Australia.”

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