Two down for Trailfinders Rugby as season draws to a close – EALING.NEWS – The Voice of Ealing 7 cities

Ealing is known for many great things. Our wonderful history as part of the film industry, our fabulous parks and green spaces and our excellent transport links to the rest of London and elsewhere in the South.

But what many people don’t seem to know, and something we need to change, is that we have a championship rugby team in our own borough, minutes away from Scotch Common – Ealing Trailfinders. And they are very close to winning this championship season.

Ealing Trailfinders began in the late 1860s under the name Ealing Football Club. They were officially incorporated in 1871 as Ealing Rugby Football Club, two months after the creation of the Rugby Football Union, of which they were invited to become an original part, but for an unconfirmed reason, were unable to do so.

In 1999 the club moved to Trailfinders Sports Ground, West Ealing and has since become known as Ealing Trailfinders. Since then, the men’s team have worked hard to become part of the RFU Championship, working their way through the National Divisions and National Leagues to get to where they are today. They were promoted to the Championship in 2015 and finished 11th, just narrowly avoiding relegation.

Despite this, the Trailfinders have since cemented their place as a force to be reckoned with, finishing third in the 2016-17 season. In every championship since they have been either winners or runners-up, and this current season is no exception. The Trailfinders are currently on top of the table and have been for most of this championship. Now, the team needs just two more points to win and with two games remaining, fate looks even more likely.

On Saturday (11 May 2024), the Trailfinders head to Castle Park in Doncaster to take on currently fifth-placed Doncaster Knights. Earlier in the season, Ealing won against Doncaster by 49 points to 31. However, this is an away game and despite Ealing’s losses being few, they have all been away games . And in fact, Doncaster’s most recent game against Bedford Blues was a draw until Bedford pulled off a drop goal in the 80th minute. Clearly, anything can happen at Castle Park.

Finally, Ealing will welcome Bedford Blues to Vallis Way on 25 May 2024 in the final game of the season. Bedford were the first team to face Ealing this season in the Championship in October and Ealing’s 41 to Bedford’s 21 ensured the Trailfinders got off to a great start to the season. But Bedford have climbed steadily over the course of the season and sit comfortably on the table in fourth.

With so much at stake, it’s time we in Ealing came together and gave Trailfinders all the support they need.