Welcome to the Ealing Trailfinders 1871 RFC pod where you can find out all about the people that make up Ealing Trailfinders men's amateur section, and the news that will come from the club throughout the season.
With three teams chasing success in the league and the cup, 2022-23 is set to be a huge year, so keep up with all the highs and lows as the season progresses.
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Welcome to the Ealing Trailfinders 1871 RFC pod where you can find out all about the people that make up Ealing Trailfinders men's amateur section, and the news that will come from the club throughout the season.
With three teams chasing success in the league and the cup, 2022-23 is set to be a huge year, so keep up with all the highs and lows as the season progresses.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Marquis Daly-Vidal is a young man who is making his mark with Ealing Trailfinders 1871, and it has taken his game to new heights.
He recently made his Jamaica under-23 debut from the bench against Gibraltar, an experience he loved, especially after helping set up a try.
Marquis tells us all about the experience, when he's next in action for Jamaica, and the possibility of matches in warmer climes.
#BleedGreen
Friday 14 November
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v UCS (H) 19.45
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Gerint Price is back on the field and loving life, but we're talking to him about his work off it, specifically in the realm of mental health.
G is one of Ealing 1871's looseheadz, an ambassador for the charity Looseheadz, who train people to be the mental health lead at every club.
He talks through how he became involved, what the role entails, how he's smiling now that he's over his rib injury, and what his quiz specialist subject is.
#BleedGreen
CLUB QUIZ - Trailfinders Sports Club, Saturday 8 November, 19.00
Friday 7 November
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Northold (H) - 19.45
Saturday 8 November
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Old Haberdasher (H) - 14.00
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v Old Priorian (A) - 14.15
Sunday 9 November
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women v Teddington Antlers (A) - 14.30
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It has taken a while, but finally Dave Vater has reached his half-century, and he's holding his bat in the air and saluting the crowd.
Chiswick RFC was the venue for such a major achievement, and he marked it in style, with a true second-row try.
We find out where it all started, why he joined Ealing 1871, and how he hopes his next 50 appearances don't take as long to arrive.
#BleedGreen
Saturday 1 November
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nds v London Japanese (A) 14.00
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rds v Finsbury Park (A - at Enfield Ignatians) 14.00
Quiz Night - 19.00, Saturday 8 November, Trailfinders Sports Ground
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It is a sad day at Ealing Trailfinders 1871 as we say a 'see you later' to a long-time servant of the club, Alex Kritikos, who will soon be moving to Portugal.
Alex has been at the club as a man and boy, and while opposition flyhalves can rest easy that their ribs may stay intact a little longer, we'll miss him.
But, didn't he sign off in style, with a hat-trick of tries in the win over London Cornish? We talk about the match, the farewell drinks that followed, and what life will look like for him on the Portuguese coast.
We'll miss you Al, but see you around.
#BleedGreen
Saturday 25 October
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nds v Rosslyn Park 4th (H) 12.15
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rds v HAC (A) 12.30
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George Emerson, one of the new boys, who juggles his degree with running out every weekend.
It has been a case of so far, so good for the former Leicester Tigers academy player, who has shown his class in the number 12 jersey.
He tells us why it's second time lucky at Vallis Way, the secrets of East Midlands rugby, and why he won't be turned into a flanker.
#BleedGreen
Saturday 18 October
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Saracens (A) - Hybrid match - 13.30
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v London Cornish (A) - 14.00
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Old Isleworthians (A) - 14.00
Sunday 19 October
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women v Belsize Park (H) - 14.00
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Nick Dawes has made a big impression in his short time at Vallis Way.
This September, he was fresh off the plane from Australia and straight onto the pitch, but he had already made an impression with an exclusive unveiling with Pat Nash during the Lions tour.
We talk over where he's played, how he's enjoying life in W13, why he left Australia for rainy England, and how much he knows about the club's rivalries.
#BleedGreen
Saturday 11 October
Ealing Trailfinders 871 ist XV v Ruislip (A) 15.00
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Toby Holt. He arrived as a boy and is now the man leading the squad as club captain, but where is he on the teamsheet?
We get to the bottom of his absence, find out about his dalliance with the Black Ferns, and when he will be back on the pitch.
#BleedGreen
Friday 3 October
Ealing 1871 3rd XV v Chiswick (H) 19.30
Saturday 4 October
Ealing 1871 1st XV v Finchley (A) 15.00
Sunday 5 October
Ealing 1871 Women v Barnes (A) 14.30
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Jess Smith and Christina Williams are two of the stars of Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women. Jess is a long-time member of the club, while Christina is new to the sport, having joined and come through the Learn to Play programme over pre-season.
Christina made her debut in the opening match of the season against Grasshoppers, a match Jess started on the flank. Despite the loss, they are now looking ahead to their next fixture, away to Barnes on 5 October.
We find out about what Christina learned on the Learn to Play programme, how she's enjoying her new sport, and how the club has grown since Jess joined in the first wave. We also hear about the new Learn to Play programme starting in October.
Oh, they also tell us about their two famous coaches who will be joining them once the Women's Rugby World Cup is done and dusted.
#BleedGreen
Saturday 27 September
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v Grasshoppers (H) 13.00
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Actonians (H) 13.00
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Christmas came early for Reggie Elliot-Jones after he was pushed backwards from the second row into the back row.
It worked wonders as he put in a man-of-the-match performance in the 36-19 win over Chiswck, one of three wins from three for the 1871 teams.
Reggie talks us through the likelihood of him running out in the back row again, how he's now part of the furniture, and the weekend matches to come.
#BleedGreen
Saturday 20 September
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV - Match v Hemel Hempstead - OFF
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v HAC 2nds (H) 15.00
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Ickenham and Uxbridge (H) 15.00
Sunday 21 September
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women v Grasshoppers (H) 15.00
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Dave Francis has made quite the impact since he returned to the club at the end of last season, and he has started this season with a bang.
He helped the 1st XV to a 110-0 win over UCS on opening day, scored a try, and even enjoyed a cameo in the centres.
The big number eight first ran out at Vallis Way aged seven, but after enjoying the delights of the other clubs, he made the emotional return to his spiritual home.
We look back on the opening match, forward to a full three-match weekend at Trailfinders on Saturday, and reminisce about his early days in green.
#BleedGreen
Saturday 13 September
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Chiswick, Vallis Way, 15.00
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v West London, Vallis Way, 13.00
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Harrow, Vallis Way, 15.00
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We're counting down the minutes until the 2025-26 season starts, and to get us frothing in excitement for the season to come, we catch up with first XV skipper Lewis Steadman.
It is his fourth season wearing the arm band, and he has a lot to build on with new teammates and last season's success fresh in the memory.
We catch up with him to reflect on the joys of pre-season training and what sort of form we'll take into the new campaign.
#BleedGreen
Saturday 6 September
Ealing 1871 1st XV v UCS, Vallis Way, 15.00
Ealing 1871 3rd XV v Harrow, Vallis Way, 15.00
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We're on the eve of the 2025-26 season, and the Ealing 1871 squad is ready to explode out for a new campaign.
The players have been grafting hard in pre-season, and we catch up with head coach Phil 'Smudger' Smith to find out how it has gone, what we can look forward to in the coming season, and how last season's success sets us up for another memorable year.
#BleedGreen
Saturday 6 September
Ealing 1871 1st XV v UCS, Vallis Way, 15.00
Ealing 1871 3rd XV v Harrow, Vallis Way, 15.00
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Ealing Trailfinders 1871 signalled the end of a wildly successful 2024-25 season with their inaugural End of Season Club Awards Gala, a night that was as spectacular as some of their play this season.
There was much to celebrate, awards and caps to dish out, and praise galore who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the club continues to prosper and grow.
We catch up with the men's and women's players, and those who make the club tick, to find out how their seasons have been.
#BleedGreen
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"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother."
Last Saturday, Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV stood tall, puffed out their chests, and declared, "This is our day."
Indeed, it was, as a 28-24 win over Old Bristolians brought home their first piece of silverware in many a season, and celebrated in the same style in which they had played.
We catch up with head coach Phil 'Smudger' Smith and captain Lewis Steadman to look back on a day that will be etched in the club's history and talked about long after the heroes of the hour have hung up their boots.
#BleedGreen
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Finals fever is sweeping Ealing Trailfinders 1871 as the 1st XV count down the days before they face Old Bristolians in the Papa John's Cup Final.
Phil 'Smudger' Smith has named his team, and coaches full of supporters are ready to sweep down the M4 to roar on their heroes in green and white.
It is a team stuffed with experience and sprinkled with talented youth, so we catch up with one of Smudger's Young Guns, Theo Szweda, to preview the match, gauge the levels of excitement, and discuss how many of his family and friends will head west.
#BleedGreen
Saturday 17 May
Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV v Old Bristolians, Dings Crusaders RFC (Bristol) - 15.00
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Semifinal fever has swept Ealing Trailfinders 1871 and Vallis Way, with the 1st XV set for a semifinal showdown against Weybridge Vandals in the Papa John's Trophy.
Phil 'Smudger' Smith' will lead the green and white hordes down to Surrey where their opponents await at Cobham Rugby Club.
We hear from Kyle Beck, who hopes to be among the called troops, but first, we catch up on what occurred in the quarterfinal on the Suffolk coast.
#BleedGreen
Saturday 10 May
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st v Weybridge Vandals (Cobham RFC) - 15.00
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It is a happy camp at Ealing Trailfinders 1871, and why not after the seconds lifted the club's first trophy in a while with a 43-17 victory over London Scottish Lions 2nds.
Luke Beasley lifted the trophy, but as he was away recuperating, we hear from Danny O'Sullivan, who gives us a breakdown of what happened.
We also hear from head coach Phil 'Smudger' Smith, who is taking the team to Southwold RFC in Suffolk for the latest round in the Papa John's Trophy.
#BleedGreen
Friday 02 May
Ealing Exiles v UCFB (H) 19.45
Saturday 03 May
Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV v Southwold (A) 14.00
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Break out the bunting, dust off the oversized rosette, Ealing 1871 have a cup final to look forward to.
That's right, this Saturday, 1871 2nds will take on London Scottish Lions 2nds in the MT Bowl Final at Wasps FC on Twyford Avenue.
To mark this momentous occasion, we chatted with skipper Luke Beasley to preview the match, reflect on the season, and discuss his pre-match preparations.
It has been some time since an Ealing 1871 team was in a cup final, so get down to support the team and show the world we bleed green.
Saturday 26 April - 14.00
London Scottish Lions 2nd XV v Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV
Wasps FC,
Twyford Avenue,
W3 9QA
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He's back, Phil 'Smudger' Smith joins us to look back over the 1st XVs' final league match of the season and reflect on the league season.
Smudger brings us up to date on the goings on of the second and third XVs, and what action we can look forward to as the summer months kick in.
There's a special shout out to a new fan, and the chance to stay up to date with the social calendar.
Saturday 12 April
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v Hampstead 2nds (A) 15.00
Sunday 13 April
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women v Staines (H) 14.00
#BleedGreen
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Friend of the pod Tim Hitchcock returns by popular demand to look forward to the business end of the season.
First comes the final match of the season away to Cheshunt, and then come the summer socials that Tim will take a controlling hand in.
We talk play-offs, student union bar prices, friendly cricket matches, and karaoke song choices.
Saturday 5 April
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Cheshunt (A) - 15.00
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women v Ampthill (A) - 13.15
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v Quintin (A) - 15.00
Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Old Actonian (A) - 15.00
#BleedGreen
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