Ealing Trailfinders piled on ten tries as they continued their unbeaten start to the season in a comprehensive 64 – 7 victory over Cambridge in West London.

Will Montgomery, Richard Hardwick and Simon Uzokwe crossed the whitewash twice as Cambridge struggled to cope with the home side’s intensity.

Trailfinders move to the top of the Championship, with all of their tries incredibly being scored by forwards.

It didn’t take long for the Trailfinders to get into their groove – Andrew Davidson starting the scoring with a punishing run after some quick Trailfinders hands.

Rayn Smid extended the lead after 14 minutes, finishing a neat move down the right-hand side after Tom Collins came off his wing with devastating pace to break the Cambridge defensive line.

It didn’t take long for Trailfinders to add their third of the afternoon, player-of-the-match Lloyd Williams releasing Will Montgomery, who crashed over to put the home side 17 – 0 up.

Richard Hardwick came off the bench in the fifth minute and showcased his international quality, latching on to a Billy Twelvetrees offload to make it 24 – 0 after 25 minutes.

Trailfinders forwards dominance continued in fine style, Matt Cornish profiting off the back of a rampaging driving maul to extend the lead to 31-0 at half-time.

Cambridge played their best rugby at the end of the first half and started the second the brighter of the two sides. Trailfinders conceded another three quick penalties, with Eli Caven latching on to a deft Jamie Benson chip for their first points of the afternoon.

Poor discipline by Trailfinders allowed Cambridge to camp themselves in the home side’s 22 for a sustained period of pressure, only for Max Bodilly to deny a second try in spectacular fashion.

Only minutes later, Caven thought he had his second, only to be penalised by the referee due to a double movement as he crossed the try line.

Simon Uzokwe instantly made his presence felt off the bench on the hour mark, reinstating Trailfinders dominance with two tries in less than five minutes to put the Trailfinders in a commanding 43 – 7 lead.

Trailfinders’ very own ‘bomb squad’ continued their forward dominance – Mike Willemse capitalising on another crunching driving maul as Trailfinders reached the half-century mark.

Second tries for Hardwick and Montgomery capped off an authoritative afternoon for Trailfinders, with Craig Willis adding his seventh conversion to complete a 64 – 7 rout.

Trailfinders Women fell to a 45-10 Allianz Cup defeat as Saracens Women piled on seven tries in a dominant display.

A frantic period of play followed a cagey first 10 minutes, with Saracens bundling over the try-line after some gritty Trailfinders defence to lead 5-0.

Jessica Cooksey instantly replied for Trailfinders after a sustained period of pressure from the home side, with a rampaging run and dummy equalling the scores.

Saracens lock Emma Taylor powered over the whitewash less than five minutes after, with a quick tap-and-go from 5m out.

A nice passage of play from Trailfinders backs almost resulted in another instant reply, with Courtney Pursglove’s foot just in touch down the right-hand side after a fluid move.

But it was Liz Crake who capitalised on the following overshot lineout to equal the scores again at 10-10.

Saracens finished the half on a high – Sydney Gregson first of all carving through the Trailfinders defence with a punishing line to restore Sarries’ advantage.

A length-of-the field attack from the following kick-off led to Chloe Flanagan racing through from 20m out to finish under the posts – the visitors heading into the break 24-10 up.

Heavy rain had a big role to play in the second half, with both teams struggling with the wet ball in hand and Sarries dominating at the scrum.

Saracens scored their first points of the second-half on the hour mark, with Mica Gooding touching down at the back of a marauding 30m driving maul.

The visitors added their sixth-try five minutes later – another powerful surge from close range extending their lead to 38-10.

As the final whistle neared, Sarries completed a comprehensive victory with May Campbell touching down and Jemma-Jo Linkins adding the extras.

A disappointing defeat for Trailfinders, but many positives to take after fielding a side with 12 players under the age of 22, and Liz Crake taking home the Arnold Hill Player of the March award.

The result leaves Saracens second in the table, with Trailfinders heading to Loughborough next weekend in the search for their first victory.

 

Trailfinders Women’s first home game of their inaugural season ended in a narrow defeat, losing 29-24 to Gloucester-Hartpury in the Allianz Cup.

In a frantic first half, the home side opened the scoring early on, Elizabeth Crake bundling over the whitewash after a brilliant lineout move.

Trailfinders set the tone early on, with complete dominance at the scrum. However, Gloucester-Hartpury were quick to reply, with captain Rachel Lund scoring from her own half after ripping the ball in contact, against the run of play.

Gloucester-Hartpury then scored twice more in quick succession, tries from Pip Hendy and Olivia Constable, putting them ahead 17-7. Trailfinders were able to finish the half on a high.

Amanda McQuade made a 25-metre breakaway off the back of the maul to score in the corner.

Rosie Inman missed the conversion, and Trailfinders went into the intermission down 17-12.

The second half continued in the same fashion as the first. Gloucester-Hartpury were quick off the mark, as Elisabeth Shermer scored from a neat offload to extend their lead.

Trailfinders were then able to notch one back. Amy Wilson-Hardy looped a cross-field kick in behind the Gloucester-Hartpury line and was able to take advantage of the awkward bounce and score.

Midway through the second half, Gloucester-Hartpury’s Cath Richards found herself in acres of space, and a cross-field kick into her led them to their 5th try of the day.

Again the home side rallied, as Annabel Meta broke through for a 50-metre run but was tackled just short.

Player of the Match McQuade was on hand to pick up the offload for her second try of the day. Rosie Inman converted the extra points, leaving Trailfinders within 5.

In a brilliant performance, McQuade again burst through the line with a powerful run. However, despite the flowing move that followed, Trailfinders were unable to find that elusive final try, and the game finished 29-24.

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Trailfinders finished as 34-32 victors over Doncaster Knights after a nail-biting encounter that was decided by the last kick of the game.

Tries from Jonah Holmes, Reuben Bird-Tulloch, Dan O’Brien, Matt Cornish and Rayn Smid, and a 78th-minute penalty from Steven Shingler helped the home side secure a narrow victory.

This result leaves Trailfinders top of Pool D, with three wins from three games in the new look competition.

After a Billy McBryde penalty, Jonah Holmes crossed in the corner on 15 minutes to calm the early nerves of the TFSC faithful.

The Knights would reply quickly as Number Eight Seb Nagle-Taylor dotted down in the 21st minute to make the score 7-8.

Then Bird-Tulloch produced a bit of magic. Taking the ball on the right-hand side of the field 30m from the opposition try line, the inside centre beat three men and would not be caught as he flew over the line to score.

Yet again, Doncaster would answer quickly as ex-Trailfinder Ollie Fox broke through the line and offloaded to Flanker Archie Smeaton to dot down.

Dan O’Brien scored three minutes later, after a maul on the Doncaster 5m line, making it two from three for the Aussie who made his debut in Round One.

That would be the last try of the half, and following a McBryde penalty kick, Trailfinders would go in at half-time with a narrow 19-18 lead.

It was a breathless first half, where Trailfinders had to dig deep to get anything out of a physical, accurate Doncaster Knights side.

The second half would start strangely.

McBryde attempted to take a leaf out of George Ford’s book with a drop goal from the 22, but he did not move the scoreboard.

Then, in the 49th minute, Matt Cornish opened the scoring in the second half, taking his record to three tries from three games and the score to 26-18.

The away side would score next through centre loanee Joe Bedlow as the game entered the final quarter at 26-25.

They would quickly take the lead through another ex-Trailfinder. Jack Metcalf streaked away from the Trailfinders defence to leave the score 26-32.

The home side would reply quickly as Smid went over in the corner to close the gap.

The score would be 31-32 entering the last 10 minutes.

Shingler then gave the home side the lead as Trailfinders won a penalty right in front of the posts from 10m out, which he knocked over comfortably to leave the score 34-32.

The Knights would have one last chance. A penalty kick from about 45m out against the wind was the challenge for McBryde. His attempt dropped just inches short, leaving Trailfinders unbeaten in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

Trailfinders Director of Rugby Ben Ward said, “We’re delighted with the five points. It was a game that could have swung either way.

“They were probably unlucky not to get the result, but we managed to find a way.”

Full-Time – Ealing Trailfinders 34-32 Doncaster Knights

Tries – Holmes (15) Bird-Tulloch (25) Dan O’Brien (32) Cornish (49) Smid (68)

Conversions – Shingler (16,32,50)

Penalties – Shingler (78)

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Trailfinders kicked-off their Premiership Rugby Cup with a 48-22 victory over the top flight side Northampton Saints.

A brace from Nathan Earle added to tries from Simon Uzokwe, Dan O’Brien, Mike Willemse, Matt Cornish, Cian Kelleher and Jonah Holmes.

The win marks the start of Trailfinders’ season and their campaign in the new-look Premiership Rugby Cup, which allows Championship sides to test themselves against top-flight opposition.

Director of Rugby Ben Ward named an experienced lineup in contrast to Northampton’s youthful team sheet.

The game did not start as Ward would have hoped as Shingler sliced a crossfield kick on his own 5-metre line, leading to a Northampton scrum which gave blindside winger Will Glister a prime opportunity to open the scoring for the away side in just the 3rd minute.

The home side would answer straight back, however, as Earle went over in the corner for his first score of the game only a minute later.

The tries would not let up any time soon as Trailfinders won a penalty inside the opposition half, which Shingler kicked to the corner. From the following line out, Simon Uzokwe crashed over the whitewash after peeling off the back of the maul.

An immense start to the game continued as Dan O’Brien latched onto Shingler’s kick in behind the Northampton line to score on his debut and bring up Trailfinders’ third try in the first fifteen minutes.

Following a James Grayson penalty to make the score 21-10, the tries would finally slow as both teams settled into the game, only for new signing Mike Willemse to follow O’Brien’s example and dot down on his first appearance in the 35th minute.

That try was quickly followed by Nathan Earle’s second as a class offload from Uzokwe would put Shingler through a hole, leading to Earle’s finish in the corner.

At 31-10 that would be the final score of a truly frantic first half which only left the TFSC faithful wanting more.

The second half would begin similarly to the first as Will Glister opened the scoring five minutes from the referee’s whistle.

Then disaster struck for the Saints as Lock Theo Vukasinovic received a yellow card for an illegal clear out, and from the resulting line out, Cornish scored on his return to TFSC.

Then Jordy Reid looked like he had also scored on his return to the club, but a TMO review showed that the ball was clearly held up. It would not take long for the home side to take the TMO out of the equation, however as Cian Kelleher would go over in the corner to make the score 41-17.

A try for the away side’s Tom Cruse would close the gap late on, only for a reply from Jonah Holmes to close out any hint of a comeback.

The final whistle went as Steven Shingler was named player of the match. Trailfinders opened their Premiership Cup Campaign with a bang, beating Northampton Saints, and look ahead to next week as they go away to another premiership side, Bristol Bears.

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For the second year in the row, Ealing Trailfinders were crowned Championship Cup Champions after a 35-31 victory over Jersey Reds at Trailfinders Sports Club.

A Jonah Holmes brace, followed by scores from Jack Digby, Max Bodilly and George Davis helped the Londoners retain the trophy.

They were however pushed hard by the league champions, as a late Ben Woollett double saw Jersey finish with a flourish.

With the atmosphere bubbling up nicely at kick-off, Trailfinders flew out of the blocks! After the rolling maul came up just short, they drew in all numbers, before Craig Hampson slung the ball wide for Holmes to score in the corner after ten minutes. Luke Daniels impressively added the extras from the touchline.

Jersey responded on the twenty minute mark, as Jordan Holgate burst through the defensive line and managed to bundle over despite an impressive covering tackle.

Just before the break, Trailfinders almost got their second, but Holmes was held up after Alun Lawrence was sent to the bin for repeated Jersey offsides.

The start of the second half was very similar to the first, as the hosts flew out of the blocks. It took them only five minutes to score their second try and it was almost a carbon copy of their first. As the maul came up short, the Londoners kept slowly picking and going, making precious meters each time. Then after the numbers were drawn him, Hampson found Holmes on the wing again as he barged over.

Now with a nine point lead, the hosts would have wanted to extend it, however Jersey had other ideas. A fast penalty saw them go to the corner and after their fake maul play came up short, TJ Harris was able to bundle over.

As the hour mark ticked round, tensions were beginning to rise, but a quick fire double from the Londoners helped them assert their authority on the final. First Jack Digby was able to crash over from close range, before a beautiful free flowing move saw Max Bodilly go in and out before rounding the fullback and scoring under the posts!

The Reds, did then respond quickly after they had created an overlap that allowed Woollett to stroll in on the left to make it a nine point game.

In a frantic final ten minutes, George Davis managed to muscle over to extend the hosts’ lead but then Ryan Hutler hit back with another Jersey score.

With the clock moving into the red, Woollett added his second after an incredible length of the field effort, but ultimately it wasn’t enough as the Trailfinders were deservedly crowned champions.

Victorious Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “I’m absolutely delighted for the boys to get that result.

“After the disappointment of three weeks ago, I think we needed this trophy more than they did and I’m so proud of all the players and staff.

“A word needs to go to Jersey for how well they’ve done this year, they’ve pushed us to be better and I’m looking forward to our battle next year.”

The Bread Street Kitchen & Bar Player of the Match was awarded to Luke Daniels.

The club would like to thank you for all your support throughout the season, in all 34 matches from Biarritz away in preseason, all the way through to today’s final! We look forward to seeing you again next season!

FULL TIME SCORE: EALING TRAILFINDERS 35-31 JERSEY REDS

T: Holmes 11’, 44’, Digby 62’, Bodilly 66’, G. Davis 73’

C: Daniels 11’, 44’, 62’ 66’, 73

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Braces for Reuben Bird-Tulloch and Jonah Holmes saw Ealing Trailfinders cruise past Doncaster Knights 32-0 in the semi-final of the Championship Cup.

The victory now sets up a mouthwatering final against Jersey Reds, as the two best teams in the league go head to head for one last time this season.

After a scrappy start, which wasn’t helped by the torrential early conditions, Dan Lancaster worked some magic to create the first score after eight minutes. The fly-half put in a beautiful grubber behind the Doncaster defensive line which allowed Reuben Bird-Tulloch to kick it through before then diving on the ball to dot down. The extras were added by Luke Daniels on the day of his 100th appearance.

Over the next 20 minutes, Doncaster did well to stifle the host’s momentum, so after repeated kicks to the corner that were unsuccessful, Trailfinders settled for a penalty on the 25 minute mark to stretch their lead to two scores.

With the half hour mark approaching, Doncaster still hadn’t learnt their lesson about covering in behind! Lancaster this time chose to chip it, and Jonah Holmes didn’t even have to break stride as he regathered! The Welsh international fended off the fullback before scoring under the sticks.

Less than five minutes later, the hosts were in again! After great build-up play from the forwards, the ball found its way to Bird-Tulloch. The centre was able to jink inside and out to beautifully dot down for his brace.

With the clock running down in the first half Daniels added another penalty to make it Ealing Trailfinders 27-0 Doncaster Knights at the break.

After such an exciting first-half from the host’s perspective, the opening to the second 40 was much more muted. There were no scores during the opening twenty minutes, which saw Ollie Newman first sent to the bin for Trailfinders, and then Conor Davidson and then Jake Armstrong replaced him for the visitors shortly afterwards, after repeated penalties at the scrum.

Now down to 13 men, the Trailfinders really turned the screw. After winning the scrum against the head, the ball found it’s way to Holmes on the wing who looked to muscle over for his second. Initially it looked like the Knights were able to hold him up, but the winger did well to reach out and dot down to claim Trailfinders’ fourth try of the afternoon.

With ten minutes left to play, Doncaster threatened to claim a consolation score but the hosts did well to keep them out and make the full time score: Ealing Trailfinders 32-0 Doncaster Knights.

Victorious Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “I thought the energy and application from our players was fantastic, the scrum was really strong and I thought we won those battles on the floor.

“I think we’re all really excited to face Jersey next season, it’s the two best teams in the league going head to head and it should be a cracker!”

You can watch the full interview with Ben Ward.

Full information about next weekend’s final and the details on date, time and location will be relayed ASAP, please keep an eye on our social media channels!

Full-time score: Ealing Trailfinders 32-0 Doncaster Knights

 

T: Bird-Tulloch 8, 33, Holmes 29, 71

C: Daniels 8, 29, 33

P: Daniels 25, 38

 

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In their last league home game of the season, Ealing Trailfinders ran in 11 tries to stay a point ahead of Jersey Reds ahead of next week’s Championship decider on the island.

On the day of his 50th appearance for the club, Simon Uzokwe led the team out and then it took him only a minute to get the scoring underway. The openside ran the perfect support line after Jack Digby made a strong break and was able to muscle over.

Caldy however didn’t back down, and ten minutes later they levelled the scores up, as Louis Beer scored in the corner after the visitors made use of their overlap.

Despite this, Trailfinders reclaimed control of the game through Alun Walker, as the hooker claimed a brace inside five minutes. The first came on the back of a rolling maul and then the second saw him splinter off to crash over on his own!

On the 25th minute Reuben Birch dotted down from close range for the visitors, but this was where there scoring ended as Trailfinders were able to cut loose.

Luke Daniels grabbed his first just before the half hour mark and then with a few minutes left to play in the half, the hosts scored their best of the day. An intricate, pre-planned move saw Craig Hampson putting Andrew Davidson through a hole and the second-row was able to gallop in from 25 metres out.

Then, with the half-time whistle approaching, Max Bodilly made a delicious break before fending off the final defender to score. Steven Shingler added the conversion to the score Ealing Trailfinders 40-14 Caldy.

The second 40 didn’t start quite as quickly as the first, as it took ten minutes for replacement hooker Shaun Malton to grab his first. Caldy then had their best chance to score in the second-half, but the Trailfinders defence stood firm and then they completed the clearance by winning a big penalty at the scrum.

On the 65th minute mark, Malton added his second as he weaved in and out of the last few defenders to score.

Three minutes later, Daniels was on the end of a large overlap to cross in the corner, before intelligently scampering under the sticks to make his own conversion easier.

As the game drew to its conclusion, there was just about time for two late scores. First Dan Lancaster put a cross field kick to Jonah Holmes on a sixpence to allow the fullback to run in the try from halfway without even breaking stride.

Then, in the final play of the game, the ball found it’s way to Nathan Earle, and the winger accelerated clear to dot down on his return from injury.

The Bread Street Kitchen & Bar Player of the Match was awarded to Simon Uzokwe.

Tickets are now on sale for our Championship Cup Semi-Final against Doncaster Knights on Saturday 6th May at Trailfinders Sports Club (KO 3pm). Click here to purchase tickets. To book our delicious pre-match hospitality email: hospitality@etprm.com.

Full-time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 73-14 Caldy

T: Uzokwe 1, Walker 15, 20, Daniels 28, 68, Davidson 37, Bodilly 40, Malton 52, 65, Holmes 76, Earle 79

C: Shingler 1, 15, 20, 37, 40, Daniels 52, 65, 68, 76

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A Will Davis brace helped Ealing Trailfinders to a dominant victory over Cornish Pirates at Trailfinders Sports Club.

In what was a close first half, the hosts were able to keep the visitors scoreless in the second 40 as they managed to break the half century with the final play of the game.

The win sees Trailfinders move six points clear at the top of the Championship table as they head into the final month of the season.

With a big crowd inside TFSC, the ‘Green and Whites’ took no time to fire into action, with Ollie Newman bursting through the Pirates defence to score unopposed after three minutes.

Three minutes after that, a silky first phase move almost saw Cian Kelleher go over in the corner, but the ball was quickly recycled and shifted to the far side allowing Alun Walker to crash over.

Then, with Pirates’ first attack of the game, Robin Wedlake went on a mazy run and managed to score in the far corner.

Trailfinders answered straight back just before the 20 minute mark, as Davis was able to bundle over from close after several effective pick and go phases from the forwards.

Pirates then got their second of the match after AJ Cant burst through the line and found Arthur Relton to allow the winger to make it 19-12.

It appeared that the scoring was done for the first half, but with the clock in the red, Pirates captain Rory Part was sent to the bin. Then off the following scrum, Harvey Beaton was also sent to the bin for repeated scrum penalties. Now being down to 13 men, Trailfinders swung the ball wide and Kelleher ran in unopposed.

In the second-half, it took the hosts only three minutes for Davis to grab his second, again bundling over from close range.

Then just after the 50 minute mark, a free-flowing move was finished off by Dan Lancaster putting in a cheeky grubber kick which allowed Pat Howard to dot down.

After a scrappy 20 minutes which followed this, James Cordy-Redden was able to bundle over for his sixth try of the month.

With a few minutes left to go, the latest graduate from the Trailfinders Rugby Academy at Brunel University, Lefty Zigiriadis came off the bench to make his first team appearance.

The final try of the day was potentially the best, as Trailfinders went the length of the pitch as Max Bodilly secured the eight try to put the cherry on top of an already impressive cake!

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A James Cordy-Redden hat-trick helped Ealing Trailfinders secure a dominant 66-0 victory over London Scottish.

It was the second week in a row that the Trailfinders nilled their opposition, as they stretched their lead at the top of the Championship to six points.

The hosts came out of the blocks fast, securing the bonus point within the first 40 minutes.

However, it was the second half where they really stretched their legs, scoring six tries to claim their second London derby win in as many weeks.

It took only four minutes for the hosts to score, with Reuben Bird-Tulloch dotting down after a great break from Jonah Holmes.

Ten minutes later, Kyle Whyte got over from close range, before Cordy-Redden then got his first after being on the end of an overlap.

After all this West-London pressure, Scottish then had their first trip into the hosts’ 22, but an error at the maul meant it came to nothing.

Just before the 35 minute mark, Alun Walker and the Trailfinders pack showed how to execute a rolling maul, as they secured the bonus point from five metres out.

The ‘Green and Whites’ were unable to add another in the first half, but it didn’t take them long to do so in the second, as Walker claimed his brace on the 42nd minute, again on the back of a maul.

On the 50 minute mark, Holmes got on the end of a Max Bodilly kick in behind after Kyle Whyte had stripped the Scots in the midfield. Then five minutes later Simon Uzokwe bundled over after just coming onto the pitch. Craig Willis added the extras to ensure he stayed at 100%, slotting seven from seven.

As both sides rung the changes, there was a slight interruption in the momentum, but this only lasted 10 minutes until Trailfinders were over again. Jordan Burns spotted space on the blindside and found Bird-Tulloch. The centre superbly stood up his defender, giving Cian Kelleher the half-metre he needed to score.

The final ten minutes only saw two more tries, both going to Cordy-Redden. The first saw the Player of the Month picking off an intercept after some strong defence from the rest of the side. He then completed his hat-trick by getting on the end of a beautiful team move as he scored in the corner, making the full-time score Ealing Trailfinders 66-0 London Scottish.

After the game, victorious Director of Rugby Ben Ward said: “We’re delighted with that performance. It’s always great to score ten tries, but I think we’re most pleased to stop our opponents scoring for the second week in a row!”

The Bread Street Café Player of the Match was awarded to Kyle Whyte.

Click here to watch Ben Ward’s and James Cordy-Redden’s post-match interview.

Tickets are now on sale for our next home fixture against Cornish Pirates on Saturday 25th March at Trailfinders Sports Club (KO 3pm). Click here to purchase tickets. To book our delicious pre-match hospitality email: hospitality@etprm.com.

Full-time Score: Ealing Trailfinders 66-0 London Scottish

T: Bird-Tulloch 4′, Whyte 15′, Cordy-Redden 21′, 68′, 78′, Walker 32′, 42′, Holmes 49′, Uzokwe 55′, Kelleher 64′

C: Willis 4, 15′, 21′, 32′, 42′, 49′, 55′, Lancaster 69′

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