Ealing Trailfinders vs Hartpury RFC

Ealing Trailfinders were able to secure a tense 36-20 victory against Hartpury University RFC at TFSC.

 

Tries from Tom Collins (2), Matt Cornish (2), Craig Hampson and a penalty from Billy Twelvetrees secured an important bonus point victory for Trailfinders, which sees them remain top of the Championship table.

 

The home side made an electric start to the game, scoring within two minutes as a two on one down the left flank allowed Collins in to score in the corner. Craig Willis missed the conversion.

 

Hartpury’s fly-half Harry Bazalgette reduced the deficit to two with a penalty in front of the posts.

 

Trailfinders answered emphatically as Cornish drove off the back of the maul inside the Hartpury 5-metre line and crashed over the whitewash. Willis nailed the extras.

 

Collins then scored his second of the day after an impressive breakthrough by Hampson, who fed in Collins to score with ease under the posts. Twelvetrees, on for Willis, converted.

 

Cornish emulated the form of Collins to also score his second, bursting through the line off a lineout on the 5-metre line and bundling his way over just before the half. Twelvetrees’ conversion was good to make it 26-8 at half time.

 

Trailfinders started the second half in the same fashion as the first, as man of the match Richard Hardwick made a brilliant 20-metre breakaway from the halfway line to set up Hampson for an easy finish under the sticks. Twelvetrees conversion was good.

 

Hartpury found themselves back in the game after sustained pressure inside the Trailfinders 5-metre line led to Will Montgomery collapsing the maul, resulting in him being sent to the sin bin and a penalty try.

 

The home side found themselves down to 13 or 14 for a lot of the second half, as two subsequent high tackles led to Pat Howard and Will Goodrick-Clarke being sent to the sin-bin also.

 

Hartpury were rarely able to take advantage of the varying men advantage but did manage to capitalise off a rolling maul as Harry Short crashed over to reduce the deficit to 13 points. Bazalgette missed the extras.

 

After holding up several waves of Hartpury attack, some effective defence turned into brilliant offense which then set up Twelvetrees to kill the game, nailing a penalty through the posts to leave the final score 36-20.

Ealing Trailfinders vs Doncaster Knights

Ealing Trailfinders secured an emphatic 49-31 victory over Doncaster Knights in a frantic 12 try thriller at TFSC.

The away side took the lead on four minutes through Rhys Tait after a brilliant breakaway down the right flank from Maliq Holden, who grubber kicked through to himself only to be felled at the line, which Tait then picked up and bundled over. Bennett’s conversion was missed.

Trailfinders answered impressively, putting the Doncaster attack under serious pressure and driving them out on their own 5-metre line. Matt Cornish scored off the rolling maul to give the home side the lead, with Craig Willis adding the extras.

The home side scored again three minutes later, as Rayn Smid powered over the gain line after some slick play in the build-up to crash over the whitewash. Willis nailed the conversion to make it 14-5.

Trailfinders began to exert their dominance on the game, extending their lead further with a magnificent team try that began with a break down the left-hand side, and was stylishly finished off by Tom Collins with a quick step to cruise over the line. Willis’ clinical day with the boot continued.

An excellent hold up by Trailfinders on their own try-line prevented an impressive Doncaster breakaway from scoring, as Archie Smeaton fed in Ollie Fox off a 30-metre run only to be felled at the line.

Doncaster did make their efforts count not long after however, as a brilliant out of the back of the hands offload sucked in two Trailfinders defenders, leaving George Simpson free to score in the corner. Bennett added the conversion.

A spectacular Richard Hardwick try made it a 16 point lead again, as he broke through two hard-hitting tackles and burst through the Doncaster line to score from 40-metres out under the posts. Willis’ simple nudge made it a 28-12 game at half time.

Trailfinders started the second half emphatically, as Cornish scored his second of the day in the same fashion as his first, off the rolling maul. Willis converted again.

The home side continued to crank up the pressure, and made it count as Smid scored his second of the day, crossing the line uncontested after a smooth miss pass off a tap and go penalty. Willis’ conversion was good.

Doncaster put a dent in Trailfinders’ 30-point lead with a try finished and converted by Russell Bennett, who was played in by a ridiculous offload from Metcalf after a swiftly executed team move.

They scored again with slick try off a penalty in their own half. Fly-half Billy McBryde broke through Trailfinders’ line for a 25-metre run and calmly passed the ball inside to Metcalf who sauntered over the line. Bennett drop-kicked the extras.

Jonah Holmes’ try killed the spirited Doncaster revival as he was set up in acres of space by a delightfully chipped cross-field kick from Tom Collins to finish with ease. Willis made it a perfect day from the tee with his seventh conversion of the game.

Joe Margetts’ consolation score for Doncaster in the corner reduced the final score to 49-31, after Barney Maddison was sent to the sin bin in the final minutes to round off a frantic game.

Trailfinders Women vs Gloucester-Hartpury

 

Unbeaten Gloucester-Hartpury edged Trailfinders Women in a ten-try 33-27 thriller.

Tries from Liz Crake (2), Ella Amory, Vicky Laflin and Julia Schell were not enough against the reigning champions, who ran in five tries.

However, Trailfinders secured a crucial losing bonus point in a brave performance to keep them in 7th place in the PWR table.

Gloucester-Hartpury opened the scoring via Rachel Lund after a flowing move left a two-on-one down the left flank, and Lund was able to score with ease.

Trailfinders hit back emphatically through Crake as she bundled over the whitewash after sustained pressure within the Gloucester-Hartpury 5m line. Rosie Inman missed the extras.

Gloucester-Hartpury then scored against the run of play as Lleucu George finished off a fine move orchestrated between herself and Cath Richards between the Trailfinders lines. George then converted her try.

However, Trailfinders answered again as Crake scored her second try of the day in a similar fashion to her first, powering over the gain line and grounding the ball impressively after some brilliant team play. Inman was unable to convert.

The momentum continued to swing in opposite directions after each score as Gloucester-Hartpury took their turn to crash over the whitewash following a dominant rolling maul from the Trailfinders’ 22. George converted again.

Gloucester-Hartpury scored again just before halftime, as their dominance at the scrum paid off, and Sarah Beckett was able to drive over the line. George extended her impressive tally to leave the score 24-10 at halftime.

The start to the second half was all Trailfinders, and eventually, they made it count as Amory finished off a big turnover in the Gloucester-Hartpury 22 in slick style. Inman’s conversion crashed off the posts and missed.

Trailfinders continued in the ascendance, and a brilliant breakaway from Cristina Blanco off a scrum in Trailfinders’ half set up Laflin to cruise in and score. Inman’s conversion effort was missed.

Gloucester-Hartpury dampened a lively comeback as a looping pass allowed Natasha Hunt to score. George continued finely with yet another classy conversion.

Schell scored the all-important final try in the game’s last play, setting up a massive kick for Ellie Green to secure the losing bonus point, and she did so in fine fashion, ending the game 33-27.

 

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Ealing Trailfinders vs Caldy

Ealing Trailfinders started 2024 with a bang as they headed back to the top of the Championship table with a 54 – 28 bonus-point victory at home to Caldy.

Rayn Smid, Jonah Holmes and Henry Walker all scored twice, with Lloyd Williams and Mike Willemse also touching down. Craig Willis impressed on his 100th Ealing appearance, converting six of his seven attempts.

Smid got the scoring underway as Ealing got out of the blocks with devastating ball speed to score within two minutes.

The number 8 was at the double only five minutes later, this time finding himself on the right wing for a comfortable run-in from outside the 22.

Williams soon made it three tries in twelve minutes for the home side, running the perfect inside line to capitalise on a Richard Hardwick line break.

Caldy continued the early chaos with a try of their own after 15 minutes, as Michael Cartmill darted through the midfield to touch down under the posts.

The bonus points were secured for Ealing within the first quarter, as a rampaging rolling maul left Holmes with acres of space on the opposite wing.

Hardwick was sent to the bin after a string of conceded penalties, and Ealing were instantly punished from the following line-out as Ollie Hearn crossed over at the back of a driving maul.

But Ealing again instantly replied to conceding, with Reuben Bird-Tulloch weaving through the Ravers defence to release Mike Willemse for Trailfinders fifth try of the half. Willis added the extras to make it 33-14 to Ealing at the break.

It only took Ealing six minutes to add to their first-half lead, as Holmes tumbled his way to the tryline for his second of the afternoon.

Walker was next on the scoresheet, bundling over in the corner to score his first league try for Trailfinders, and extending Ealing’s lead to 47-14.

The hooker doubled his try tally in no time, as Trailfinders passed 50 points on the hour mark.

Caldy showed good resistance despite the scoreline, and were rewarded with two tries in the last five minutes to secure their deserved bonus point.

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Trailfinders Women vs Sale Sharks

Trailfinders Women capped off 2023 with a brilliant 24-22 victory over Sale Sharks Women at TFSC.

Tries from Kate Zackary, a penalty try, Abby Dow and Julia Schell made all the difference in an incredibly tight contest.

Trailfinders started the stronger side, and they made their early pressure count. Zackary opened the scoring, picking up the ball off the back of the scrum and crashing over in the corner. Ellie Green missed the conversion.

The home sides dominance at the scrum was clear from minute one, and they used it full well to their advantage. After repeated Sale penalties at the scrum inside their 5-metre line, the referee awarded a penalty try. As per regulations, no conversion was necessary.

Sale Sharks hit back with a try of their own against the run of play. Georgie Perris-Reading burst round the Trailfinders line with a terrific turn of speed to score under the posts. Vicky A Irwin added the extras to reduce the deficit to 12-7.

Sale were reduced to 14 players after a deliberate knock on from Irwin, and despite some costly errors Trailfinders were able to take advantage with a wonder try from Abby Dow.

From a Sale scrum inside our 22, the pack were once again dominant, winning the ball back and quickly getting the ball out to Dow. In a ridiculous turn of pace, she simply breezed past her opposing player and charged down the touchline from our own 22 to score without doubt PWR try of the week. Green was unable to convert.

To cap off an action-packed half, Sale hit back again after a sensational 50-22 kick from Sian Jones got them to Trailfinders’ 5-metre line. The Sharks then bundled over the whitewash after successive phases. The conversion was missed to leave the score 17-12 at half time.

Sale started off the second half the stronger side and evened the scoring on 50 minutes. Two successive penalties had left Sale with a lineout on Trailfinders 5-metre line, and after a smooth blind side one-two, Niamh Swailes crashed over in the corner. The conversion was missed.

Trailfinders took back the lead with eight minutes to go via a fantastic try from Julia Schell. The home side put together a lovely move down the right side, and Schell beat the last player with an excellent burst of speed to score under the sticks. Green added the extras to make it 24-17.

Sale took it down to the wire with a late try in the corner, after Rowena Burnfield was sent to the sin bin for repeated penalties. However, the conversion was missed and Trailfinders were able to close out an emphatic win.

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Trailfinders Women vs Leicester Tigers

Trailfinders Women emerged victorious for the first time ever as an elite outfit in their inaugural season, beating fellow PWR newcomers Leicester Tigers Women 36-7 at TFSC.

Trailfinders ran in six tries in windy conditions, with scores from Liz Crake (2), Vicky Laflin, Megan Barwick, Abby Dow and Kate Zackary securing a well-deserved victory.

The home side took full advantage of having the wind behind them in the first half, as Crake opened the scoring in the second minute, bundling over the whitewash after sustained pressure in the Leicester half. Ellie Green converted the extra points.

Trailfinders then added to their lead with a great finish from Laflin, who was fed in by a brilliant offload from Rosie Inman down the wing to score the second try of the day. Green missed the conversion.

Tigers hit back with a try of their own not long after, as Elis Martin scored off the rolling maul to put the away side on the board. Meg Jones nailed the conversion to make the score 12-7.

Trailfinders answered strongly to conceding, as Crake scored her second try of the day to swing the momentum back in their favour. Similar to her first, she crashed over the tryline after successive carries in the redzone to extend the lead. Green was unable to convert in tough conditions.

What came next was absolutely bizarre. Trailfinders’ Julia Schell drilled the ball downfield, and with the wind behind it, the ball bounced over the try-line and kindly in the favour of Barwick, who gratefully dived on the ball to score. Green converted excellently, and the sides went into halftime with the score 24-7.

The second half was a more fluid affair, and with a solid score advantage, Trailfinders began to put on a show for their spectators with some brilliant rugby.

Abby Dow further extended the lead for Trailfinders, with a try that began on their own 5 metre line. With offloads galore, Dow found herself bursting down the wing to finish excellently. Green was unable to convert.

Zackary capped off a brilliant day for Trailfinders Women in the last play of the game. Once again the rugby was excellent, with Elisa Riffonneau slicing through the Tigers defence, and Zackary was able to effectively walk it over the try-line. Green nailed the conversion to end the game 36-7.

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Trailfinders Women vs Saracens

Saracens Women scored eight tries as they stormed to a convincing 52 – 18 victory away at Trailfinders Women in the Allianz PWR.

Back-to-back bonus point victories for Saracens put them top of the Premiership, while Trailfinders winless in the league, despite another encouraging performance.

Saracens flew out of the blocks in the London derby, with World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year Marlie Packer burst through the Trailfinders defence, before scrum-half Ella Wyrwas sniped over for the first points of the game.

Ellie Green added two penalties of her own in the opening exchanges, but Trailfinders found it difficult to cope with the furious pace with which Saracens started the match.

Packer was again in the thick of the action in the 12th minute, bursting over the Trailfinders gain-line and releasing winger May Campbell for their second try.

Sarries harried Trailfinders at the breakdown throughout the 80 minutes, with Zoe Harrison the next to touch down after a quick counter-attack.

After already being heavily involved in two earlier tries, Packer scored Sarries’ bonus-point try in the 27th minute, breaking off the side of a driving maul to make it 26-6.

A positive note of the first half was the Trailfinders set-piece, with the home side’s pack impressing at scrum-time.

The second-half started in similar vain to the first however, with Saracens adding another two tries in the first eight minutes after the break.

Sophie Bridger glided through the Trailfinders defence to add their fifth try, which was swiftly followed by a Jess Breach wonder try. After gathering the ball in her own 22, she went on a mazy run all the way to the Trailfinders tryline to go 40 – 6 up.

Trailfinders had more attacking threat in the second half, and were rewarded through Abby Dow’s try after a deft Ella Amory chip into the corner.

Saracens replied in almost identical fashion on the hour mark, as Sydney Gregson latched on to a superb cross field kick to extend their lead to 45 – 11.

Dow added her second of the afternoon three minutes later, striding away from Sarries defenders in a 50m race to the line, after a delightful Julia Schell offload.

But Saracens finished the afternoon off in style with their seventh try, Sophie de Goede taking the visiting side past the half-century mark.

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Ealing Trailfinders vs Coventry

Ealing Trailfinders continued their unbeaten start to their Championship campaign with a resounding 31-13 victory at home to Coventry.

 

Tries from Tom Collins, Richard Hardwick (2) and Reuben Bird-Tulloch secured all five points in a dominant Trailfinders performance at TFSC.

 

Trailfinders set the tone early on, dominating at the scrum, and they made their early pressure count. Tom Collins opened the scoring, diving over the whitewash in the corner after some swift build up play down the blind side. Craig Willis converted the extra points to give Ealing a 7-0 lead.

 

Coventry answered back almost immediately. Fly half Pat Pelligrini kicked the ball crossfield inside the Trailfinders 22, which looked to be going out. James Martin had other ideas however, racing in behind and tapping the ball down in the nick of time to make the score 7-5.

 

The away side took the lead just before half time, as Pellegrini scored a penalty after sustained pressure in the Trailfinders half, leaving the score 7-8 at the half.

 

The home side began to assert their dominance in the second half, taking back the lead with two quickfire tries. Richard Hardwick scored the first, bundling over the try line after repeated Coventry penalties at the scrum.

 

Reuben Bird-Tulloch then extended the lead after some brilliant play by Biyi Alo, driving over the line in the corner to make the score 21-8. Willis remained perfect from the tee, converting both scores with ease.

 

Willis added to his excellent performance with another three points, after yet another impressive scrum by the home side resulting in a penalty.

 

Ealing capped off a good day at the office with a scintillating try. Richard Hardwick scored again after a bursting run from Cian Kelleher, who was stopped just short of the try line by an excellent tackle. Hardwick was on hand however to finish off the move and make the lead 31-8.

 

Coventry reduced the deficit with a late consolation try from Will Rigg, but it was too little too late. The game finished 31-13, with Trailfinders continuing their strong unbeaten start to the season.

 

Trailfinders Women vs Harlequins

Trailfinders Women narrowly lost the opening game of their inaugural Premiership Women’s Rugby campaign, losing 17-22 to Harlequins Women at the TFSC.

Tries from Liz Musgrove and Ella Amory were not enough for Trailfinders, who played with 14 for most of the game following Shannon Ikahihifo’s red card.

It was an impressive performance nevertheless, which kept them within reach throughout and secured an all-important bonus point.

Trailfinders took the lead early on, as Ellie Green kicked a penalty after sustained pressure in the Harlequins half.

Harlequins then answered back with two quick-fire tries. Trailfinders’ lack of discipline became costly, as Izzy Mayhew and Flo Robinson crossed the whitewash for the Quins within minutes of each other.

The game then took an unfortunate turn, as Trailfinders’ flanker Ikahihifo was instantly dismissed from the field for a high tackle.

Trailfinders responded brilliantly to the red card, however. Fresh off a driving maul, the side swiftly moved the ball out to the opposite wing, and Musgrove finished off the great spell of play excellently, diving over the line in the corner.

Green slotted home the conversion with a classy kick, and the sides went into half time 10-12.

14-women Trailfinders started the second half emphatically. Annabel Meta burst through the line midway into the Quins’ half, and two passes later Ella Amory scored under the posts. Green’s conversion gave Trailfinders a 17-12 lead.

Harlequins took back the lead shortly after, as Abbie Fleming bundled the ball over the try-line after successive phases. Laigi Tuima added the extra points.

Tuima further extended Harlequins’ lead from the tee, as Trailfinders were penalised at the breakdown.

Quins’ extra player advantage eventually took its toll on the home side, who were not able to capitalise on some good field position late on in the half. Harlequins held onto possession efficiently as the clock struck 80 minutes, and the game finished 17-22.

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