Ealing Academy’s Under 16’s started their mission with a briefing from “Colonel” Miller outside the Centenary Clubhouse. After distributing some essential kit, we boarded the Trailfinders’ minibus and headed to Market Harborough Rugby Club.
The match was a close one with much of the 1st half a stalemate before MH broke free and scored twice to lead 10-0 at half time. Ealing came back strongly in the second half and, despite a further score from Market Harborough, we drew level on tries and won the game by making two conversions. Final score 15-19 to Ealing.
MH had put on a great lunch for us and we thank them for their generosity in hosting us. After an exchange of awards we had to cut short our stay and head on up to Loughborough for the Ealing 1st XV match at the University.
We were all delighted to be a part of the Ealing celebrations that followed our promotion to next season’s Championship, and an 8-31 win was a fitting way to end the season.
After dinner we headed back to Beaumanor Hall and set up camp in the cabin accommodation. Further details of that evening are subject to the Official Secrets Act but suffice to say the troops made a tactical retreat around 10:30. A ceasefire had been agreed for 11pm, but hostilities continued until around 1am, at which time an uneasy truce broke out.
Next morning we rose for breakfast which was followed by the high ropes and zip wire exercise we had scheduled to hone our combat skills. Having successfully completed our objective, we made the most of the great weather to eat lunch al-fresco before loading the minibus one last time and heading back down the M1.
Here are a few snaps taken at the weekend. Check back later in the week when more photo’s will be added.
https://plus.google.com/photos/100539765845527712290/albums/6142147759490899009
