Ealing Trailfinders began their 2023/24 campaign with a preseason match against Zebre Parma in Piacenza, Italy.

It was both side’s first match in over three months, so there was bound to be a cagey start to proceedings. After the cobwebs were blown away, it was the hosts that opened the scoring, with a penalty in front of the sticks.

The greasy conditions aided Zebre for the opening try of the encounter. A loose ball was capitalised on, Simone Gesi hacked the ball though and dived over in the corner. Tiff Eden stretched the lead to ten nil.

Jonah Holmes struck just before the half time whistle to give the West Londoners something to take into the break. Steven Shingler’s touchline conversion narrowed the gap to three points.

Half-Time – Zebre Parma 10 – 7 Ealing Trailfinders

The visitors came out firing in the second half. A penalty won at the breakdown allowed Shingler to kick to the corner and Trailfinders unleashed the rolling maul. After being on the field for just three minutes Matt Cornish crashed over.

Halfway through the second 40, Zebre converted a penalty from inside their own half to make it a one point game.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Trailfinders had an attacking scrum inside Zebre’s 22. A move straight from the training ground allowed Reuben Bird-Tulloch to cross the whitewash from close range.

It was two in as many minutes for Bird-Tulloch, to almost put the game out of sight. Shingler kicked the ball over the top for Holmes to collect and pop inside to Bird-Tulloch to go over untouched.

Zebre would not lie down, with 60 seconds to go the Italian side were awarded a penalty try, giving them one last shot at turning the tie around. The hosts failed to convert with their last attack, allowing the West Londoners to take the spoils

A superb second 40 from Ben Ward’s men meant Ealing Trailfinders ran out 20-26 winners.

Full-Time – Zebre Parma 20-26 Ealing Trailfinders 

Tries – Holmes (35), Cornish (43), Bird-Tulloch (73, 75)

Conversions – Shingler (36, 44, 76)