Women's News - Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club

Match Round-up: Loughborough Lightning v Trailfinders Women

Trailfinders Women secure a draw against Loughborough Lightning in a physical festive fixture.

A scoreless opening ten minutes saw both sides battle for the ball in the centre of the field.

Lightning held onto the attack but Trailfinders remained strong in defence.

Trailfinders went wide to break up the play in the centre of the field. Meg Jones made an initial break to get Trailfinders on the front foot.

The women in yellow were awarded the first scrum, got the ball out quickly. Lightning gave away another penalty. Trailfinders kicked to the corner for a line out but a knock-on in the set-piece gave the home side possession.

Both sides battled hard in the middle of the pitch with handling errors and penalties giving both teams opportunities to attack and defend.

From another scrum, Trailfinders went out wide and Abi Burton carried through defenders and got over the line for the first score after fourteen minutes.

Lightning struck back from short range from the hands of Sadia Kabeya to level the scoreboard after the first quarter.

On the left hand channel, Trailfinders found ground and Georgia Ponsonby stretched to secure the second try for the women in yellow. Rosie Inman slotted the extras.

Lightning were not to be deterred and Kabeya scored a second try from short range. Helen Nelson slotted the conversion to level the score once more in a game of cat and mouse.

Half-time: Loughborough Lightning 12-12 Trailfinders Women

Lightning came out the blocks strong after half-time and scored a third try from the driving maul from the hands of Kathryn Treder. Nelson missed the conversion giving the home side a five point lead.

Momentum stayed with Lightning who went through the phases and got the ball out wide to Lucia Scott who scored in the righthand corner for their bonus-point try.

But Trailfinders quickly bounced back and found their attacking flow. Kate Zackary stormed through and scored Trailfinders’ third try on the left channel. A composed Inman slotted the conversion on the angle.

Lightning ran loose with their discipline, conceding a penalty in front of the posts. Trailfinders opted for the points and Inman scored the penalty to level to twenty-two all with less than ten minutes to go.

Inman shone as she backed herself to score the fourth and bonus-point try. She slotted the conversion.

In a final effort to level, Lightning capitalised on running the ball after Trailfinders kicked the ball straight into touch. Fancy Bermudez backed herself to the line to score a fifth try for the home side. With the conversion on the angle, Nelson remained composed as she slotted the extra two points to level the score at full-time.

Full- time: Loughborough Lightning 29-29 Trailfinders Women

Loughborough Lightning:

Tries – Sadia Kabeya 17 36, Kathryn Treder 51, Lucia Scott 63, Fancy Bermudez 79

Conversions – Helen Nelson 36 79

Trailfinders Women:

Tries – Abi Burton 14, Georgia Ponsonby 24, Kate Zackary 66, Rosie Inman 77

Conversions – Rosie Inman 24 66 78

Penalties – Rosie Inman 72

Lineup: Loughborough Lightning v Trailfinders Women

Barney Maddison has named his squad to face Loughborough Lightning in Round Eight of the PWR.

There are eleven changes from last week’s squad after the Round Seven win against Leicester Tigers.

Maddison names eight internationals in the forward pack.

Kate Zackary skippers the side and is joined in the back row by Rachel Malcolm and Abi Burton.

Alivia Leatherman, Georgia Ponsonby, and Maya Montial pack out the front row.

In the engine room is the Black Fern duo Maia Roos and Alana Borland.

Ella Amory links up with Claire Gallagher in the half-back pairing to face Loughborough.

In the centres, Carys Cox and Meg Jones return to action this weekend.

Vicky Laflin and Grace White start on the wings with Rosie Inman at fullback.

Maddison names a 6-2 bench split including Spanish international Cris Blanco and Irish international Grace Moore.

Kick-off is at 14:00 on Sunday 21st December at Cinch Stadium.

Watch live on PWR YouTube.

Starting XV:

15. Rosie Inman

14. Grace White

13. Meg Jones

12. Carys Cox

11. Vicky Laflin

10. Claire Gallagher

9. Ella Amory

1. Alivia Leatherman

2. Georgia Ponsonby

3. Maya Montiel

4. Maia Roos

5. Alana Borland

6. Rachel Malcolm

7. Kate Zackary (c)

8. Abi Burton

Replacements:

16. Cristina Blanco

17. Annabel Meta

18. Cana Williams

19. Shya Pinnock

20. Cara Brincat

21. Grace Moore

22. Isla Norman-Bell

23. Niamh Gallagher

Women's News

Match Round-up: Gloucester-Hartpury v Trailfinders Women

In a hard-fought contest decided by a single point, Trailfinders were edged out 29-28 by league leaders Gloucester-Hartpury at Kingsholm.

Tries from Alana Borland, Vicky Laflin and Niamh Gallagher secured Trailfinders two bonus points and Meg Jones maintained a perfect kicking record on conversions.

Both sides showed strong attacking intent from the outset, with each team testing the opposition’s defensive line.

Trailfinders earned a lineout inside Hartpury’s 22, which was offloaded into the hands of Abi Burton, who broke through Hartpury’s defence. In the phases that followed, Hartpury’s Natasha Hunt was shown a yellow card, giving Trailfinders the advantage. They capitalised quickly, with Borland touching down to open the scoring. Jones slotted the conversion.

A fired-up Hartpury shortly responded. A kick into open space put them on the front foot just outside the Trailfinders’ whitewash. El Perry then powered through a gap and offloaded to Jade Shekells, who crossed to level the score. Emma Sing successfully converted.

With Hunt returning and Hartpury back up to fifteen players, they kicked to touch to gain territory and set up a lineout metres from the Trailfinders’ line. However, a rolling maul ended in a knock-on, allowing Trailfinders to relieve the pressure.

Hartpury continued to push and soon earned another lineout close to the try line. From the rolling maul, an offload found Neve Jones, who spotted a gap and grounded the ball to give the visitors the lead. Lleucu George slotted the conversion.

A kick into touch from Hartpury followed by yet another driving maul down the outside wing proved unstoppable, with Kate Williams touching down, giving Gloucester breathing room coming into half time. The conversion was missed by George.

Half-time: Gloucester Hartpury 19-7 Ealing Trailfinders

The second half opened with Trailfinders building attacking phases and edging towards Gloucester’s try line. Playing under penalty advantage, they continued to press, determined to close the gap, but a clearance kick from Gloucester held them out for the moment.

Gloucester then earned a penalty and kicked to touch, keeping play deep inside Trailfinders’ defensive quarter. They eventually capitalised, with Sarah Beckett powering over for the points. George was unsuccessful with the conversion.

Trailfinders responded quickly, moving the ball sharply along the wing, where Laflin finished the move with a try beside the posts. Jones again slotted the conversion.

Gloucester retained possession and an offload to Beckett allowed her to touch down for her second of the match. The conversion was unsuccessful.

Refusing to let Hartpury pull away, Trailfinders’ numerous offloads along the line found Grace White, who danced through Hartpury’s defence into their 22. Borland then went over the whitewash from short range for her second try, with Jones maintaining her perfect kicking record.

Jones sent a long kick downfield and chased it hard, but it travelled just too far and rolled over the dead-ball line.

In a familiar pattern, Trailfinders moved the ball quickly along the wing, with a one-two to Gallagher who outpaced the defenders to score in the corner. Jones again slotted the conversion, bringing Trailfinders to within a single point of the league leaders.

Full-time: Gloucester Hartpury 29-28 Ealing Trailfinders

Trailfinders Women –

Tries: Alana Borland 11 68, Vicky Laflin 58, Niamh Gallagher 77

Conversions: Meg Jones 11 58 68 77

Gloucester Hartpury –

Tries: Jade Shekells 20, Kelsey Jones 30, Kate Williams 40, Sarah Becket 55 63

Conversions: Emma Sing 20, Lleucu George 30

Team Lineup, Women's News

Lineup: Gloucester-Hartpury v Trailfinders Women

Barney Maddison has named his squad to face Gloucester-Hartpury in Round Six of the PWR.

Six changes have been made to the squad ahead of Round Six with new and familiar faces making their first appearance in the matchday squad in the league this season.

Vicky Laflin and Jess Cooksey both get their first starts in the league for 2025/26 and Black Fern Maia Roos is named on the bench for the first time since joining Trailfinders as injury cover.

Rachel Malcolm skippers the side as co-captain with fellow co-captain Kate Zackary who is on the bench.

In the front row, Cris Blanco comes in at hooker alongside Alivia Leatherman and Maya Montiel who retain their starting places from Round Five.

In the engine room, Emma Taylor joins Alana Borland.

Alongside Malcolm in the back row is Haidee Head and Abi Burton.

Brooke Bradley and Claire Gallagher are selected as the starting half-back pairing for Round Six.

Cooksey is alongside Meg Jones in the centres. Jones gets her fifth consecutive start for Trailfinders this season.

Grace White accompanies Laflin on the wing with Rosie Inman at fullback.

Cassandra Tuffnail, Maia Roos, and Shya Pinnock are named on the bench in a 6-2 split.

Kick-off is at 15:05 on Saturday 6 December at Kingsholm.

Watch live on TNT Sports.

Starting XV

15. Rosie Inman

14. Grace White

13. Meg Jones

12. Jess Cooksey

11. Vicky Laflin

10. Claire Gallagher

9. Brooke Bradley

1. Alivia Leatherman

2. Cristina Blanco

3. Maya Montiel

4. Emma Taylor

5. Alana Borland

6. Rachel Malcolm (cc)

7. Haidee Head

8. Abi Burton

Replacements:

16. Georgia Ponsonby

17. Cana Williams

18. Cassandra Tuffnail

19. Maia Roos

20. Shya Pinnock

21. Kate Zackary (cc)

22. Niamh Gallagher

23. Isla Norman-Bell

Women's News

Trailfinders sign Tanya Kalounivale as injury cover

Trailfinders Women are delighted to confirm the signing of New Zealand international prop Tanya Kalounivale as injury cover until 31 March 2026.

The 26-year-old tighthead prop joins Trailfinders after representing New Zealand at the recent Rugby World Cup. She has 27 caps for the Black Ferns and appeared five times during New Zealand’s RWC25 campaign to secure a bronze medal.

She made her Black Ferns debut in the 2022 Pacific Four Series against the Wallaroos in Tauranga and later that year was a part of the winning Black Ferns Rugby World Cup squad.

Kalounivale joins Trailfinders from Chiefs Manawa Rugby in New Zealand as injury cover alongside fellow Black Fern Maia Roos.

On signing for the Club, Kalounivale said:

“I’m really excited to be here, learning and experiencing a different style of rugby to what I’m used to.

“The whole team has been incredibly welcoming from the moment I arrived. I’m excited for what’s to come and for the ways I can grow both as a person and as a rugby player, make new friends, and experience a whole new culture.”

Head Coach, Barney Maddison, said:

“Tanya has been the cornerstone of the Black Ferns pack over the past couple of years. To be able to bring someone like her into the Club to help us out is massive. She’s a fantastic rugby player.

“In the short period of time she has been here, she has already added so much value to the environment. With the long-term injuries to both Rori Wood and Flo Long it provides us with a great level of cover in the front row.”

Women's News

PWR Press Conference: Barney Maddison and Francesca McGhie

Ahead of Round Six in the PWR, Head Coach Barney Maddison and Scottish international Francesca McGhie answered questions from the media.

Trailfinders Women travel to Kingsholm this week for the Round Six fixture against Gloucester-Hartpury. Maddison and McGhie spoke to the media ahead of the clash with the PWR league leaders.

When asked about the Round Five performance against Saracens, Barney Maddison said:

“Saracens are a top team and just from a physicality point of view, we were miles off and that showed in the game. We had two strong performances before that game and last week wasn’t the best.

“Saracens had great speed of ball and that is hard to defend.”

McGhie added:

“As Barney said, Saracens are one of the top teams and it takes time to get there.

“Our errors compounded and I think they probably just exploited that.

“We’re a new team and building trust across the season is important and we’re definitely getting there. We have proved it against Bristol and Sale and we just need to perform against the best teams.”

When asked about playing alongside her fellow back line players, McGhie said:

“Having played with Claire Gallagher and Meg Jones previously at Leicester, not much has changed between the connection there. Playing alongside Julia Schell and Grace White have been great too.

“I think our back line is working pretty well together and I think everyone is enjoying it as well. If you’re having fun and playing good rugby, that’s what matters.”

In response to a question regarding how his side can improve ahead of Round Six, Maddison said:

“In Round Five, we didn’t have much ball. We spent a lot of time defending. We want to keep more of the ball and we have to be more physical. Both Saracens and Gloucester are top teams – that’s the reason they’re at the top of the table. We have to match their physicality.

“Our connection as a side comes with playing together more in our training sessions, which have been great over the last couple of weeks. We’re just looking to bring that into the game this weekend.”

With Black Fern Maia Roos joining the Club as injury cover alongside fellow Kiwis Alana Borland and Georgia Ponsonby, Maddison was asked how the New Zealand approach to rugby has elevated Trailfinders’ training sessions:

“Maia has been class. The way in which the Black Ferns players train is really interesting. They train in smaller numbers before they meet together as a wider Black Ferns team. That means they work on microskills and they focus on the smaller details.

“I can already see that coming through in our training sessions with how they interact with other players. It’s great to see how the influences of other environments are brought into this one.”

Women's News

Match Round-up: Trailfinders Women v Saracens Women

Trailfinders defeated in top four clash against Saracens

Trailfinders quickly found their flow in the back line after kick-off. The ball was stripped out wide onto the left channel. Francesca McGhie put her foot on the gas, running the ball into the try area for the first score of the game.

Saracens hit back quickly after quick ball from a line out. Physical carries gained them territory until Poppy Cleall threw the ball out wide to Sydney Gregson on the right wing.

Trailfinders continued to apply the pressure on Saracens with quick line speed but the visitors held firm. Saracens found attacking phases but a tackle by Grace White on Jess Breach enabled Trailfinders to pounce on the ball and the penalty was awarded to the women in green.

Trailfinders won the scrum but a loose ball allowed Saracens to intercept and push forward. The visitors were awarded a penalty and Zoe Harrison kicked for the corner. Saracens continued with attacking flow and Marlie Packer forced her way to the try line. Zoe Harrison slotted the conversion.

The visitors continued to apply attacking pressure but Trailfinders secured a line out in their 22. Quick ball down the short side gave Trailfinders territory. Lost ball in Saracens’ half gave Sydney Gregson space to run the ball but Julia Schell tackled her into touch.

A penalty to Saracens gave them another attacking opportunity and Alysha Corrigan scored in the corner for Saracens. Zoe Harrison converted.

Saracens continued to play the ball out wide. Lotte Sharp took her opportunity in the right corner and secured a bonus-point try for the visitors.

Trailfinders continued to front up in defence but Saracens opted for their line out drive game once more setting up May Campbell for a try. Harrison converted.

Half-time: Trailfinders Women 5-31 Saracens Women

A change in the backline for Trailfinders after half-time saw Isla Norman-Bell come off the bench to fly-half and Claire Gallagher into the centres for Carys Cox.

Trailfinders strung beautiful attacking phases together at the opening of the second half but handling errors paused their forward momentum.

Saracens secured a sixth try with another driving maul from the line out with Poppy Cleall as the beneficiary. Harrison converted.

Saracens continued to opt for the kicking game and chased the ball into Trailfinders’ 22. McGhie gathered in the try area and offloaded to Julia Schell who ran the ball out of the 22, clashing with Saracens defenders on the way.

Trailfinders stopped a Saracens driving maul fifty minutes in. Brooke Bradley opted for the boot but it was charged down then quickly regathered by the home side.

Trailfinders found space with McGhie breaking through the Saracens defence. She darted up the field, giving Trailfinders territory in the 22. The ball went out wide to Rachel Malcolm who was taken down.

Saracens continued with their attack, breaking into Trailfinders’ 22. Trailfinders remained strong in defence but the Saracens maul secured them another score by May Campbell. Harrison converted the extras.

The waves of Saracens attack continued and the visitors scored after a series of physical carries. Liz Crake got over the line for an eighth try for Saracens. Harrison slotted the conversion.

The scoreline did not defer Trailfinders from going forwards. Emma Taylor carried through midfield and Trailfinders went wide. The home side secured the penalty.

With Trailfinders losing players too, the home side regrouped with Haidee Head moving into the back line and Maya Montiel into the second row. Saracens equally had to rotate their side after losing forwards due to injury.

The Saracens line out went loose and Taylor gathered then got the ball outside to Trailfinders backs. McGhie ran the ball forward but Saracens were successful in securing a penalty at the breakdown after McGhie was tackled.

But Trailfinders had ball in hand once more and broke into Saracens’ 22 with seven minutes to go. Yet the visitors pushed Trailfinders back and loose ball enabled Saracens to find space. Jess Breach scored down the right side.

Trailfinders continued to fight in the final five minutes, showing their resilience and determination despite the scoreline.

Full-time: Trailfinders Women 5-57 Saracens Women

Player of the Match: Olivia Apps

Trailfinders Women –

Tries: Francesca McGhie 3

Saracens Women –

Tries: Sydney Gregson 7, Marlie Packer 17, Alysha Corrigan 26, Lotte Sharp 32, May Campbell 37 60, Poppy Cleall 45, Liz Crake 65, Jess Breach 76

Conversions: Zoe Harrison 17 26 38 45 61 66

Match Preview, Women's News

Match programme: Trailfinders Women v Saracens Women

The PWR returns to Trailfinders Sports Club for Round Five

Read everything you need to know ahead of Trailfinders v Saracens in the match programme. Click here.

Team Lineup, Women's News

Lineup: Trailfinders Women v Saracens Women

Barney Maddison names his side for Restart Week in the PWR as Trailfinders host Saracens

Head Coach Barney Maddison has named his squad ahead of Round Five of the PWR in a top four clash. He names two changes to the squad after Trailfinders’ most recent win over Bristol Bears.

Kate Zackary leads the side for the fourth time this season.

An unchanged front row sees Alivia Leatherman, Georgia Ponsonby, and Maya Montiel start.

In the engine room, Irish international Grace Moore is accompanied by Black Fern Alana Borland.

At blindside flanker is Scotland’s most-capped captain Rachel Malcolm with Zackary on the openside. Red Rose Abi Burton is at eight.

Ella Amory and Claire Gallagher remain as the starting halfback pairing.

Carys Cox starts at inside centre with Meg Jones at outside centre.

Francesca McGhie and Grace White start on the wings with Julia Schell at fullback.

Cristina Blanco and Isla Norman-Bell both feature on the bench in a 5-3 split as the two changes to the matchday squad.

Kick-off is at 15:00 on Saturday 29 November at Trailfinders Sports Club.

Watch live on YouTube.

Starting XV

15. Julia Schell

14. Grace White

13. Meg Jones

12. Carys Cox

11. Francesca McGhie

10. Claire Gallagher

9. Ella Amory

1. Alivia Leatherman

2. Georgia Ponsonby

3. Maya Montiel

4. Grace Moore

5. Alana Borland

6. Rachel Malcolm

7. Kate Zackary (C)

8. Abi Burton

Replacements:

16. Cristina Blanco

17. Cana Williams

18. Miça Evans

19. Emma Taylor

20. Haidee Head

21. Brooke Bradley

22. Isla Norman-Bell

23. Rosie Inman

Women's News

Trailfinders sign Black Fern Maia Roos as injury cover

Trailfinders Women are delighted to confirm the signing of New Zealand international lock Maiakawanakaulani Roos as injury cover until the end of March 2026.

The 24-year-old joins Trailfinders after representing New Zealand at the recent Rugby World Cup.

Roos has 38 caps for the Black Ferns and played five times during the RWC25. She also featured in New Zealand’s World Cup winning squad in 2022.

In 2023 her star continued to rise and her leadership qualities were recognised when she was chosen to Captain the Black Ferns – becoming the youngest Captain in the team’s history and surpassing the previous record held by Dame Farah Palmer.

Roos is known for her explosive power and superior athleticism with a fantastic work ethic on and off the rugby field.

On signing for the Club, Roos said:

“I came to Trailfinders because I saw my friends playing rugby and I wanted to be part of the fun.

“I really like the style of rugby Trailfinders play: they like to play on top and keep the ball alive. It’s a very attacking style of rugby and I think that’s very fun.

“Because I’m only here for a few months, I want to have a big impact while I am at Trailfinders. I want to do as much as I can on and off the pitch to leave the Club in a really good position at the tail end of the season.”

Head Coach, Barney Maddison, said:

“Maia is a world class lock. To be able to bring in her in to help us out is fantastic.

“She is very highly spoken of by her fellow Black Ferns team mates here at Trailfinders so I’m really looking forward to working with her and bringing her into our environment.”