Post by Jamie Crawford on May 7, 2024 17:15:38 GMT
Ealing Trailfinders preview
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Round 21, Saturday 11th May, KO 2.30pm
Doncaster Knights in fifth place welcome first-placed Ealing Trailfinders to Castle Park. Trailfinders have only not been at the top of the Championship for a few hours twice this season, both to Coventry. First was last January when Trailfinders had two games in hand, next after Coventry played on Friday third of May in the evening before Trailfinders regained their place after they beat Ampthill the next day. Unfortunately for them, Trailfinders Sports Ground still does not meet Premiership minimum entry criteria, so they are not eligible for promotion.
Trailfinders were runners-up last season (2022/23) by two points to Jersey Reds.
They won the Championship in 2021/22 but Trailfinders Sports Club didn’t meet Premiership minimum entry criteria. They were second to Saracens in 2020/21, second to Newcastle Falcons in 2019/20, second to London Irish in 2018/19 and second to Bristol Bears in 2017/18. Basically, Trailfinders have been top or second for six seasons and spent millions to achieve that.
Trailfinders thrashed Ampthill 57-14 last Saturday, scoring nine tries. A brace was scored by hooker Matt Cornish, then left wing James Cordy-Reddan touched down, fly half Craig Willis was next to score, outside centre O’Brien dotted down, substitute hooker Mike Willemse took his turn to score, followed by substitute back row Wayne Smid. The last two were scored by full back Cian Kelleher and finally substitute scrum half Lloyd Williams got his name on the scoresheet.
The Knights had an unlucky result at Goldington Road after being ahead against Bedford Blues for most of the game and then the scores were drawn by a converted try in the 79th minute. A drop goal then put the sword through the Knight's armour in injury time! The Knights’ only consolation was to return home with two league points for their efforts.
Ealing have surprisingly lost three league games but I think even the fortunate winners would concede that Trailfinders didn’t field their best team at the time. They have won a bonus point in all but one of their 18 games played.
As you would expect, Trailfinders have scored the most tries in the Championship this season with 104 (nearing 6/game), they have conceded just 53 tries (less than 3/game). The Knights have scored 59 (ninth highest, 3.3/game) and conceded 65 tries (fifth, 3.6/game.)
Hooker Matt Cornish is their leading try-scorer, he is equal third highest in the Championship. Winger Jonah Holmes is their second highest, equal 14th.
In January Trailfinders beat the Knights 49-31 at Trailfinders Sports Ground, scoring seven tries in the process. Five tries were scored by forwards most likely peeling off or from behind a set piece and the other two were down each wing.
Last season the Knights hosted Trailfinders for their last league game and lost 14-35. However, the season before, in November 2021, the Knights hosted and won 22-5. This memory will be imprinted on head coach Ben Ward’s mind, especially because the Knights did the double over them after winning in Ealing (17-25) in February 2022.
Championship games taking place this weekend:
All Saturday 11th May
Ampthill (6) v Hartpury University (7)
Caldy (10) v Cambridge (11)
Cornish Pirates (3) v Coventry (2)
Doncaster Knights (5) v Ealing Trailfinders (1)
London Scottish (9) v Bedford Blues (4)
Nottingham (8) were due to fly to Jersey to play the Reds.
Three of the five games see teams adjacent to each other playing each other; If Ampthill beat Hartpury, they will swap league positions. The other two games have the lower placed team too far below to overtake their opponents in one game.
A Knight W would only see us get within three points or possibly two of Bedford if London Scottish win and Bedford don't score a league point.
A Knight L would see them drop to seventh if Ampthill win and Hartpury win with a bonus point.
COYK, have belief in yourselves
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
sponsored by Twenty Four IT Services (www.twentyfourit.co.uk)
Round 21, Saturday 11th May, KO 2.30pm
Doncaster Knights in fifth place welcome first-placed Ealing Trailfinders to Castle Park. Trailfinders have only not been at the top of the Championship for a few hours twice this season, both to Coventry. First was last January when Trailfinders had two games in hand, next after Coventry played on Friday third of May in the evening before Trailfinders regained their place after they beat Ampthill the next day. Unfortunately for them, Trailfinders Sports Ground still does not meet Premiership minimum entry criteria, so they are not eligible for promotion.
Trailfinders were runners-up last season (2022/23) by two points to Jersey Reds.
They won the Championship in 2021/22 but Trailfinders Sports Club didn’t meet Premiership minimum entry criteria. They were second to Saracens in 2020/21, second to Newcastle Falcons in 2019/20, second to London Irish in 2018/19 and second to Bristol Bears in 2017/18. Basically, Trailfinders have been top or second for six seasons and spent millions to achieve that.
Trailfinders thrashed Ampthill 57-14 last Saturday, scoring nine tries. A brace was scored by hooker Matt Cornish, then left wing James Cordy-Reddan touched down, fly half Craig Willis was next to score, outside centre O’Brien dotted down, substitute hooker Mike Willemse took his turn to score, followed by substitute back row Wayne Smid. The last two were scored by full back Cian Kelleher and finally substitute scrum half Lloyd Williams got his name on the scoresheet.
The Knights had an unlucky result at Goldington Road after being ahead against Bedford Blues for most of the game and then the scores were drawn by a converted try in the 79th minute. A drop goal then put the sword through the Knight's armour in injury time! The Knights’ only consolation was to return home with two league points for their efforts.
Ealing have surprisingly lost three league games but I think even the fortunate winners would concede that Trailfinders didn’t field their best team at the time. They have won a bonus point in all but one of their 18 games played.
As you would expect, Trailfinders have scored the most tries in the Championship this season with 104 (nearing 6/game), they have conceded just 53 tries (less than 3/game). The Knights have scored 59 (ninth highest, 3.3/game) and conceded 65 tries (fifth, 3.6/game.)
Hooker Matt Cornish is their leading try-scorer, he is equal third highest in the Championship. Winger Jonah Holmes is their second highest, equal 14th.
In January Trailfinders beat the Knights 49-31 at Trailfinders Sports Ground, scoring seven tries in the process. Five tries were scored by forwards most likely peeling off or from behind a set piece and the other two were down each wing.
Last season the Knights hosted Trailfinders for their last league game and lost 14-35. However, the season before, in November 2021, the Knights hosted and won 22-5. This memory will be imprinted on head coach Ben Ward’s mind, especially because the Knights did the double over them after winning in Ealing (17-25) in February 2022.
Championship games taking place this weekend:
All Saturday 11th May
Ampthill (6) v Hartpury University (7)
Caldy (10) v Cambridge (11)
Cornish Pirates (3) v Coventry (2)
Doncaster Knights (5) v Ealing Trailfinders (1)
London Scottish (9) v Bedford Blues (4)
Nottingham (8) were due to fly to Jersey to play the Reds.
Three of the five games see teams adjacent to each other playing each other; If Ampthill beat Hartpury, they will swap league positions. The other two games have the lower placed team too far below to overtake their opponents in one game.
A Knight W would only see us get within three points or possibly two of Bedford if London Scottish win and Bedford don't score a league point.
A Knight L would see them drop to seventh if Ampthill win and Hartpury win with a bonus point.
COYK, have belief in yourselves
DONNY, DONNY, DONNY…
