PREVIEW: Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV v Henley Hawks RFC Saturday 7th November

Back at home

After the trip to Rosslyn Park, our visitors to Vallis Way are Henley Hawks. In their ranks are former Ealing skipper Andy Dalgleish and centre Ali James.

The Hawks early season form has not by their standards been great, injuries blighting them. But they have put a string of two wins on the trot, last weekend, beating Dings by 28-0 and travelling down to Kent coming away with the spoils over Canterbury by 30-19. They also ran leaders Barking close , indeed the closest anyone has got to them this season, loosing at home 15-5. So Mike and the team will not take them lightly.

Paul Trendell and Will Fulton top the points scorers with 36 and 35 each, whilst 5 players each have scored 2 tries for the Hawks so far.

A bit of background about the Hawks

Henley Rugby Club as founded in 1930 as Old Henleiensians (old boys of Henley GS). Always a vibrant and locally respected Rugby Club, Henley’s fortunes began to soar when SIR CLIVE WOODWARD became the 1st XV coach in 1990.

In year 2000 Henley had reached their pinnacle with a midway position in National One (as was) and a top 25 position in National league rugby.

Around the same time Henley took the scalp of then premiership side Bedford in the latter stages of the National Knockout Cup and narrowly lost to Gloucester at Kingsholm in the next round.

Right now Henley occupy a respectable top 50 spot, firmly established in National 2 South with an eye to climbing back up the pecking order.

Recent results between Ealing Trailfinders & Henley Hawks

A close game last season at Dry Leas, saw us storm into a 15-0 lead within the first quarter if the game, only to have to hang on for the victory. The return fixture was a bit easier on the blood pressure . Let hope for more of this this weekend.

08/11/09 Henley Hawks 10 Ealing Trailfinders 15
27/02/09 Ealing Trailfinders 37 Henley Hawks 15

Other N2S games this weekend

Barking v Westcombe Park – Should be a straight forward home win for the leaders – BUT……..

B&A v Rosslyn Park – Will last weekend’s win have taken too much out of Park? I doubt it- Away win.

Canterbury v Southend – Southend too strong for Canterbury – Away win

Dings v Worthing – Can Dings get back on track at home- If anything Worthing will think they have a chance of some points. Close game – Away win?

Lydney v Clifton – Clifton to continue last weeks form and come away with a good away win.

Richmond v Barnes – Local derby time. Barnes had a weekend off last week, but I think their poor form will continue. Home win.