Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Podcast

Spring has sprung, the clocks have changed, the evenings are lengthening, and Easter will soon be here. With this natural break, we hear from head coach Phil 'Smudger' Smith, who brings us up to date with the activities of the three teams and an exciting challenge on Good Friday. We find out how plans are going for next season, our first in level six, and who we can see coming in to help us adjust to the next level up. Phil also reveals what his Easter egg of choice is. Happy Easter and #bleedgreen

It has been a huge week for Ealing 1871. On Friday, under the Vallis Way lights, the first XV secured promotion to Regional 2 Thames after a 48-5 win over Hampstead gave the team the Counties 1 Middlesex title. To look back on that momentous night and the club's rise up the leagues, we bring in the man at the top, the man who lifted the trophy in quite an excitable fashion, Lewis Steadman. He tells us all about the match, what it means, who to thank, what the plan is now, and how important it is to buy your club dinner (Friday 15 May) ticket as soon as possible. There is still one more match, so all eyes are on this weekend's encounter. #BleedGreenSaturday 28 MarchEaling Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v UCS (A) - 15.00

Long-time friend of the podcast, Pat Nash, joins us to talk through how a concussion has ruled him out for the rest of the season. He tells us what caused his concussion, how quickly the club's staff took care of him, where he is on the return to play protocol, and how concussion recovery has changed since he started playing. We also look ahead to a huge match for Ealing 1871 1st, the club dinner, tour, golf day and plenty of other things to sign up for. #BleedGreenFriday 20 MarchEaling Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Hampstead (H) - 19.45Saturday 21 MarchEaling Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v West London (A) - 15.00Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Uxbridge and Ickenham (H) - 12.30Sunday 22 MarchEaling Trailfinders 1871 Women 1st XV v Kilburn Cosmos (H) - 15.00

Toby Holt and Jacob Pepper join us for a catch-up after the weekend's club day, a day with all three teams in action.Toby fills us in on each team's progress, which includes promotion, cup runs, and title races, while Jacob brings us up to date on how the 1871 Women's team got on in their latest match.We also hear about plans for the end-of-season dinner, and why Friday 15 May should be inked in your diary now.#BleedGreenSaturday 14 MarchEaling Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Old Actionans (A) 14.00

It has been too long between visits, so this Wednesday we headed to Vallis Way on a Wednesday night to catch up with the Ealing 1871 Women's team.The side has been growing exponentially, is running two teams, has welcomed players who thought their playing days were over, and those who wanted to try the sport for the first time.We find out all about their progress from club stalwart Eden Comins. We also meet one of their coaches from the professional ranks, Rachel Malcolm, Scotland's most capped captain, to find out how she became involved.#BleedGreenSunday 8 MarchEaling 1871 Women v Wimbledon (A) - 15.00Saturday 7 MarchEaling 1871 Men 1st XV v Wasps (H) - 14.00Ealing 1871 Men 2nd XV v Twickenham (H) - 14.00Ealing 1871 Men 3rd XV v Hanwell (H) - 13.30

It is club day this Saturday, and we chat to two of the players aiming to show their wares to Ealing 1871's fans - Jack Feeney and Will Day.Jack joins us fresh from helping the seconds earn promotion to Middlesex Premier with a 62-5 victory over Old Streetonians. He also tells us about life in New Zealand, and how spending three years there helped his game immensely.Then, Will Day joins us to look forward to the first XV's upcoming match against local rivals Wasps, and what it means to their season.#BleedGreenSaturday 7 MarchEaling 1871 1st XV v Wasps (H) - 14.00Ealing 1871 2nd XV v Twickenham (H) - 14.00Ealing 1871 3rd XV v Hanwell (H) - 13.30Sunday 8 MarchEaling 1871 Women v Wimbledon (A) - 15.00