This Saturdays sees us play Loughborough Students in their first season in National One. The students lie 10th in the table having a record of 12 wins 1 draw and 12 losses. Earlier in the season at Loughborough in poor conditions Ealing Trailfinders put in an excellent controlled performance to win 41-5 running in 6 tries. The two Sams Wardingley and Shires scoring 2 tries each as Hodge filled in for the injured Wardy at 10. The student’s only try was an excellent Solo effort by Fullback Craig Holland.
The history of the club predates the formation of Loughborough University. The students of Loughborough College formed what is considered the original side in September 1919. Loughborough began competing in the Universities Athletic Union (UAU) in 1930-31, and the Loughborough Colleges XV beat Nottingham University 8 – 0 in their first match. In the 1985-86 season a team led by former England coach Andy Robinson won through to the third round of the John Player Cup. Interestingly he took over as England coach from another Loughborough Student Sir Clive Woodward.
John O’Connell and I had the pleasure of watching our own Phil Chesters score for a Barbarians side coached by Robinson against the Students last year to commemorate the opening of their new stadium.
Loughborough’s Stuart Hall is in 3rd place in the league’s Top points scorers with 237 points compared to our own Tom Wheatcroft in 1st place on 256 points. Loughborough Students play an attacking brand of rugby so it should be a great entertaining game to watch.
Come on down and support the lads.
Matt Smith
Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV Manager
