First Team

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV maintained their position at the top of National 1 by comprehensively beating Macclesfield 34-13 at Vallis Way. The visitors have been notoriously plucky opponents in the past but a workman-like performance by Ealing Trailfinders ensured 2013 kicked off on the right note.

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV muscled their way to a hard-fought 16-16 draw against local rivals Rosslyn Park. In similar circumstances to the Blackheath fixture earlier in the season, it took a nerveless Thomas Wheatcroft to kick over the crucial penalty in the dying minutes, on this occasion securing the draw for the visiting side. The local derby lived up to expectations despite the unfavourable wet and windy weather conditions. It had everything- triumph, despair, excitement, joy, nerves, determination- one left Priory Lane wanting more.

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV put on a fine display for their home fans as they comfortably beat Cambridge 47-11. Victory for the West London outfit cemented their place at the top of the National 1 table with the mouth-watering fixture against local rivals Rosslyn Park coming up on Saturday

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV maintained their status as National 1 league leaders by narrowly beating Cinderford 11-10 at Dockham Road. On a cloudless but chilly winter’s day it was the visiting side who managed to hang on for a particularly hard-fought win. Knowing what a notoriously tough side Cinderford are to overcome and with memories of being 12-0 down in the opening quarter last season, Ealing Trailfinders were unwavering in achieving a positive start.

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV thrashed Loughborough Students 41-5 and in the process returned to the top of the National 1 table. The Students’ recent good form was severely halted by a clinical Ealing Trailfinders performance in atrocious weather conditions.

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV produced a ruthless performance to comprehensively beat Sedgley Park 59-17 at Vallis Way. Having lost their two previous games one might expect the home side to be edgy and nervous, however these conceptions were quickly dispelled as Ealing Trailfinders began the game at a ferocious and physical intensity.

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV suffered their second defeat of the season as they narrowly lost a nail-biting contest to Blaydon. Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV fought back valiantly in the second half but were unable to stop the Newcastle outfit from completing the second victory in two seasons at Crow Trees.

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end on Saturday as a determined Old Albanians outfit staged a second half comeback to inflict a first defeat for the National 1 league leaders. Both sides expressed a desire to play an attacking style of rugby in the opening quarter, with Ealing Trailfinders shading the visitors in opportunities created.

Recording their 8th win of the season and in the process attaining the significant bonus-point , Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV remain firmly top of National 1. The 41-17 score-line, deserving as it was, does not do justice the effort a tenacious Wharfedale outfit showed on a chilly autumnal day in Yorkshire.

Ealing Trailfinders back row Lee Starling gives us an insight into his personality with a 10 question video interview. Lee is Sponsored by Fraser Randall