Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Podcast

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. #BleedGreenSaturday 17 MayEaling Trailfinders 1st XV v Old Bristolians, Dings Crusaders RFC (Bristol) - 15.00

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.#BleedGreenSaturday 10 MayEaling Trailfinders 1871 1st v Weybridge Vandals (Cobham RFC) - 15.00

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. #BleedGreenFriday 02 MayEaling Exiles v UCFB (H) 19.45Saturday 03 MayEaling Trailfinders 1st XV v Southwold (A) 14.00

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 - 14.00London Scottish Lions 2nd XV v Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XVWasps FC, Twyford Avenue, W3 9QA

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) 15.00Sunday 13 AprilEaling Trailfinders 1871 Women v Staines (H) 14.00#BleedGreen

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 AprilEaling Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Cheshunt (A) - 15.00Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women v Ampthill (A) - 13.15Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v Quintin (A) - 15.00Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Old Actonian (A) - 15.00#BleedGreen

Calum Jones can barely remember life away from Ealing Trailfinders, and while work keeps him away more than he likes, when he's available, he's all in. He's been coming to Vallis Way since he was six, and even while away at university, it was his first port of call when home. We hear what major government project is keeping him away, what the club means to him, and enjoy a brief cameo from coach Phil 'Smudger' Smith. Saturday 29 MarchEaling Trailfinders 1871 2nds v Hackney 2nds (H) 13.00Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd v Harrow 2nds 13.00#BleedGreen

Akeem Eubank Anderson, an Ealing lad and a product of the club. He's been and gone to see the rugby world but is now back to share his experiences at Vallis Way. A prop forward who loves his role so much that he wears his scrum cap after training, someone who has trained with a World Cup winner, and someone who starred down Welsh Valley rugby and gave as good as he gets. He tells us about his rugby story (so far), what Ealing Trailfinders means to him, and what the next few months could mean for the club. Saturday 23 MarchEaling 1871 1sts v Old StreetoniansEaling 1871 2nds v QuintinEaling 1871 3rds v IckenhamSunday 24 MarchEaling 1871 Women v Staines (A) 14.00#BleedGreen

It's back! Tinged golden from the sun of south and south-east Asia, and still flowing in the wind as its owner charges around the paddock. The mullet has returned. Harry Reed touched down two weeks ago after five and a half months exploring the world, and within a fortnight he was back in the 1st XV and helping the team to victory over Hitchin. We talk about his return and performance, wandering the highways and byways of Thailand, and most importantly what he has on his pancakes. Saturday 8 MarchEaling Trailfinders 1871 1st XV v Fullerians (H) 15.00Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV v Grasshoppers (H) 15.00Ealing Trailfinders 1871 3rd XV v Thamesians (H) 14.00 Sunday 9 March Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Women v Tabard 15.00 (H)#BleedGreen