Ealing Trailfinders U12 girls

On Sunday, many of the fourteen very enthusiastic Ealing Trailfinders U12 girls players took the Central Line eastwards to Wanstead for their first ever Girls Only Rugby Festival – hosted by Eton Manor RFC.
The Ealing Girls faced the hosts Eton Manor in their first match – a rematch of a recent very tightly fought fixture. This time Ealing came out on top in a tight game in which they fought back from conceding the opening try to win 3-2, with scores from Leah and Catherine before Eydie got the decisive try late on.
The second match was a victory against strong ball-carrying Dagenham side. The girls got the upper hand thanks to some very committed tackling, intelligent kicking and powerful running – especially from try scores Leah, Bella, Catherine, and Cameron (2), which helped the girls run out 5-1 winners.
The Ealing Trailfinders Girls final group stage game was a tough test against a well organised Dartford Valley side who got the better of the Ealing girls at the breakdown with some impressive ruck speed, powerful running from deep and well timed passing. although the 5-1 score line didn’t do justice to the effort put in by the Ealing side.
The final match of the day was a playoff against an Enfield/Old Grammarians cluster side . This was a real arm wrestle of a match, fiercely competed at the breakdown, with neither side willing to give an inch, before two opportunistic tries by Catherine gave the girls the edge. Having given everything, a tiring Ealing side were hanging on towards the end when an interception try by Bella (her 3rd of the day) eased the nerves of both the girls and their watching parents. The 3-1 victory ensured a 3rd place finish, and some very happy Ealing players as they collected their medals.

Throughout the day it was clear to see the step up in intensity from the Ealing players, their commitment in defence, their intelligence on the pitch, as well as the extent to which the girls are willing to fight for one another as they become more of a team.

Leah tackled every opposition player she could and speedster Catherine chalked up four tries – both girls only took up rugby in the last 12 months!