Ahead of our match on 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡 take a look at our Star Wars XV, are there any missing?
Saturday 4th May at Vallis Way
KO 15:00
Buy your tickets here Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club Tickets
On Sunday morning, the Ealing U12 Girls squad assembled to play their final 12-a-side match of the season. Our opponents for the day, Ashford RFC, made the long journey up from Kent, and travelled in good numbers of both players and supporters. The drab weather conditions did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm from either side.
After a joint warm up, the referee (our very own Cyril R) got the game underway, and the first period was characterised by an evenly (and heavily) contested breakdown, the Ealing girls looking to move the ball through the hands, and Ashford’s strong ball carriers causing our girls problems. Both sides were guilty of leaving scores out on the pitch, and a tense first period finished Ealing 1 -2 Ashford, with Catherine grabbing the try for the hosts with a mazy run from out wide, which has become somewhat of a trademark for her.
The second period was much of the same, with the Ealing girls getting close to crossing the opposition tryline on several occasions and also having to working hard in defence to keep the Ashford attack at bay. Another closely contested period finished with the scores Ealing 2 – 3 Ashford, with Rose dotting down from close range to get the Ealing try.
The final 3rd was where Ashford pulled away from Ealing and eased their way to victory, with a number of tries characterised by strong running from deep despite the best efforts of a tiring (and injury depleted) Ealing defence. The sole Ealing score in the period came from Catherine, with the match ending Ealing 3 – 7 Ashford.
As mentioned by the Ashford manager in the post-match clubhouse speeches, the scoreline was not wholly reflective of what was generally a fairly even match. What is for certain however is that, at the end of their first season together, the girls acquitted themselves incredibly well against a well organised and well-established side. For that, they should be very proud of themselves.
The Ealing Player of the Day, as voted for by the opposition, was Neave and her fearlessness, elusive running and carrying the ball from deep made her a deserved recipient of the award.
The Ealing Girls squad and management are very grateful to Ashford for making the trip to West London and we hope to see them again soon. The team move forward from this match and look forward to their final outing of the season in a 7’s festival this Friday.
Join us for our End of Season Dinner and enjoy a three-course meal.
This year we have a new format with the Memorial Game being played during the afternoon, KO 15:00, so come make a day of it, either as a player or a spectator.
To book sign up HERE, Any questions contact Tim Hitchcock
Sunday 12. May at 10:00 – 16:00
Vallis Way, London W13 0DD, UK
Please join us on Sunday 12th May for our End of Season Family Fun Day Party.
The day will start with final training sessions of the season across Minis, Youth and Colts, followed by the End of Season Awards Ceremonies for each age group.
(Training times & invites will be issued on Spond by each age group as usual for this part).
You are then invited to stay and enjoy an afternoon of fun & games, which will include:
Bar, BBQ & Pulled Pork Rolls
Ice Cream Van
Bouncy Castle & Assault Course Inflatable’s
Children’s Rides & Face Painting
Cross Bar Challenge, Games & Races
Entry and all of the above games, rides & activities will be provided FREE of Charge.
Food, drink & ice creams will be available to purchase from the bar & food stalls.
Please feel free to bring friends and family with you as we celebrate the end of another great season at Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club. All sections of Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club (including Men’s, Women’s and Social Members) are also encouraged to join in and help celebrate the Club’s traditional season-end Closing Day.
The first memorial game at Ealing Rugby Club took place on Sunday 11th October 1981 in memory of club player Martin Armstrong. Martin, having been injured whilst playing for the Ealing 1st XV on 28th March 1981, succumbed to his injuries on 20th April 1981. Martin’s obituary, and other information, can be found HERE.
Almost twenty-five years years passed before another memorial game took place in memory of Alexis Dodin. Alexis was a stalwart player for the Exiles up to his departure in March 2006 when he moved to live in Argentina. Alexis died in a tragic skiing accident in March 2007 and a memorial game was played in May 2008. This memorial also included Tom Press who was the son of Exiles player Andy Press. Sadly Tom was only 11 years old when he passed on after a long spell of illness.
Alexis’ obituary, and other information, can be found HERE.
A few years later Damian Bugeja, long term player, Minis and Youth Section Chairman, Club Chairman and Life Member, passed away on Wednesday 12th May 2010 after a long illness. Damian’s obituary, and other information, can be found HERE.
A memorial game for Damian took place on Saturday 21st May 2010. Ealing Exiles, and guests, played against Ealing Evergreens, and guests, and The Damian Bugeja Memorial Cup was awarded for the first time. Whilst the Cup bears Damian’s name, it is a tribute to all past players and members, and over time it has become known as “The Memorial Game”.
The Memorial Game, competing for the Bugeja Memorial Cup, has taken place each May since 2010.
There is a growing list of obituaries of many players and members recorded HERE This list is being slowly increased as we discover old records and, sadly, as players and members pass on.
Harlequins vs Trailfinders Women
Sunday 28th April
KO 14:00
Twickenham Stoop, Langhorn Drive Twickenham Middlesex TW2 7SX
Join the Travelling Supporters and cheer the team on.
All Trailfinders Women season ticket holders will be able to access the match using their regular season ticket.
Ahead of our match on 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡 take a look at our Star Wars XV, are there any missing?
Saturday 4th May at Vallis Way
KO 15:00
Buy your tickets here Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club Tickets
Ealing Trailfinders U12’s ventured to Bognor Regis on their last tour as Minis.
Having two teams who had trained and played together over a number of weeks hopes were high for some great rugby and both teams delivered!
A hard fought Saturday saw Ealing Sabres through to the latter stages of the cup competition with two wins and a draw against this season’s nemesis Amersham and Chiltern.
Ealing Scimitars played some exceptional rugby to win two and lose only to Harpenden Eagles. This proved bittersweet as they found themselves against some top class sides on the Sunday and lost all three matches but were physical and committed throughout and played some of their best rugby of the season.
There was elation and disappointment for the Sabres as well, who went through 119 minutes of rugby without conceding a try thereby earning the best defensive record in the tournament only to crack with the very last play of the final game and to come a very close second in the cup.
The squad came together afterward to celebrate with a court session (what goes on tour stays on tour) and to be awarded their club ties as they move up to youth after a memorable final minis season.
Superb Ealing 1871 Women role models guide the U12 Girls in their first Rugby 7’s Festival
The U12 Girls Youth squad had their first foray into 7’s Rugby on Saturday at the London Irish Emeralds International Girls Rugby Festival. With an early start on a hot, sunny and windy day the Ealing side needed and stood out off the pitch under the shade of the bright orange ET gazebo. The U12 girls were very fortunate to have the services of three Ealing 1871 Women’s squad players as guest coaches. A huge round of applause goes out to currently injured Ealing 1871 Women’s players Eden Commins, Jess Axebrink and Kayleigh Pink. These three ladies were superb role models for our aspiring U12 Girls and guided them thru the nuances of 7’s rugby.
With 18 teams competing in the U12 age group alone Saturday was for the U12’s and U14’s at a very busy and superbly organised festival at the Hazelwood complex. The U16’s and U18’s groups of the festival played on Sunday.
Ealing U12 girl’s came up against two very organised and strong sides in Old Albanians and Battersea Ironsiders in the morning matches. Although the Ealing girls were slower to start and a tad hesitant at the breakdown they managed to consistently deploy some free flowing attacking play. In both morning games Ealing were the early try-scorers, put in some committed cover tackles and the speed and slick passing of our outside backs caused the opposition real problems. However, the pace of 7’s and not committing players to defensive lines or being quick to the breakdown meant Ealing were losing almost every ruck – resulting in two first up losses of 7-2.
The long lunch break ensured time for reflection and refocusing ……. Roll out the hype and motivation of Eden, Jess and Kayleigh from their Ealing 1871 Women’s experience. After an impromptu coaching session on defensive line speed and committing to rucks game three against a handy Wasps side was almost flawless from start to finish with a stylish Ealing 8-5 win. Unfortunately, this form just couldn’t be followed up in the final game against Richmond where Ealing went down bravely 6-4.
Given that all 11 of the Ealing girls had never played 7’s before and we had just three hurried 7’s training sessions it was a great learning curve and amazing overall performance. Player of the Day went jointly to Catherine Gallagher and Iga Pawlica – both girls are in their first ever season of rugby. Special mentions were made by the Ealing 1871 ladies around consistency and confidence building play as the festival wore on for Eydie Field, Cameron Isaac-Simon and Luella Wells.
Trailfinders Sports Club are hiring bar/events staff to work upcoming match days and events!
Get in touch with Trailfinders Sports Club directly by emailing enquiries@tfsc.co.uk with your CV.