Two home games on the trot – Ahh bliss to those die hard supporters who travel all over the country supporting the Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV.
This weekend we host Bridgwater & Albion RFC. It’s a long trip from Somerset but one that given their win over rivals Dings Crusaders last weekend, one they will be looking forward to.
Bridgwater DoR Mike Teweksbury has recently bolstered his squad. George Davies a prop with premiership experience (Bristol, Worcester) has joined them from Plymouth Albion, and 2nd row Dan Collier also joins them as well.
The season has not started well for Bridgwater, indeed they remain rooted to the foot of the table with 1 win from their 6 games so far. They did hold league leaders Barking to a 16-0 defeat when the East London side made the trip to Somerset a couple of weeks ago. Matt Richards & Kane Palmer Newport have 2 tries to their name whilst Stuart Evans tops the scoring list with 17 points.
"Bridgwater and Albion R.F.C. an amalgamation of Bridgwater, founded in the late 1860’s and Bridgwater Albion, founded in 1876, formed the present Club in 1920. In 1912 Bridgwater could claim a record unique in Rugby Football. On January 21st the Club Captain Bob Dibble skippered the English Rugby Union side to victory over Wales at Twickenham whilst his former Club colleague Tom Woods skippered the English Rugby League side to victory also over Wales. Bob Dibble was the only Bridgwater player ever to tour with the Lions when he went lo New Zealand in that season. Rugby flourished in the Town during the twenties after the amalgamation, and the Club forwards were known as the "One Ton" pack. During this period many great players wore the Bridgwater colours. Jimmy Jarvis, one of the best half-backs in the Country but who never won a cap; Jimmy Barrington later capped when with Bristol; Jack Swayne capped from the Club in 1929 and Jack Snook to mention but a few. During the last war the Ground was ploughed up for allotments but it was repossessed in 1946 and an energetic Committee set about restoring the Club to its former status. A new Grandstand was erected in 1952; a new Clubhouse in 1963 and Floodlighting the year after. In the post war period four players have won County Blazers and many others won County Caps."
Recent results between Ealing & Bridgwater
15/09/07 Ealing Trailfinders 34 B&A 10
5/01/08 B&A 22 Ealing Trailfinders 27
29/11/08 B&A 17 Ealing Trailfinders 39
21/03/09 Ealing Trailfinders 30 B&A 8
Other N2S games this weekend
Barking v Worthing – Barking too strong against a Worthing side who are struggling to kill games off – Home Win by some margin.
Canterbury v Henley – Canterbury are still in 5th place but have shipped in over 120 points in two games – Crisis? Maybe but they should be too strong for injury hit Henley – A close home win to regain some confidence
Dings v Rosslyn Park – Park too strong for Dings – Away win
Lydney v Southend – Interesting game. Southend came to life last week with a good win over Mond. Should be too strong for Lydney – Away win
Richmond v Westcombe Park – Another close game? 8th v 7th placed – Home advantage to tell – Home win ( but close)
Shelford v Barnes – Barnes having a hard time so far, they lost on the road last weekend, and will again this coming one. Shelford too good at home – Home win.
