Ealing Trailfinders 1871 Podcast

Ealing 1871 Women's captain Sarah Taws is our guest this week to tell us all about the team and how their season has gone.After three years, the flyhalf has helped the team grow, develop and learn, while this season they have also benefitted from head coach Andrew 'Quicky' Quick and his team, including members of the Ealing Trailfinders Women's professional team.We talk about the season gone, how the team has grown and how they have one final challenge before celebrating the season's end.

Harry Vidler, may have had the 1st XV captaincy dropped on him, but once the surprise of seeing (C) next to his name on the teamsheet had dissipated, he led the team in supreme fashion. His assignment...lead the team to the sunny (and windy) Essex coast to beat Burnham on Crouch and progress to the next round of the Papa John's Trophy, and he responded by guiding the team to a 56-26 victory that sets up a match against Basildon at Vallis Way on Saturday. We look back on the win, the season so far, what his song choice was, and just where the Bronson Cup is....#BleedGreen

Liam McDonagh, a lifer at Ealing 1871, a boy who became a man, met his wife, married, and started a family while giving his all for the green and white shirt has something to tell you...Before then though, we look forward to our final league match of the season, the brotherhood of west London clubs, a potential cup run, and his Easter egg of choice.#BleedGreen

Alex Kritikos, an Ealing man through and through, since he first rolled up to Vallis Way when barely out of nappies. After a few years living in Sydney, he's back and doing what he does best, handing out the boshes. It almost came to an end though, and he tells us how a collapsed lung threatened not just his ability to charge around a rugby field and hand out pain bombs, but his long-term health too. Thankfully, now fully recovered, Alex tells us about his love for the club and why it was one of his first ports of call after he moved back to London. #BleedGreen

Stan Clausen may be an ex-Royal Marine, but his military discipline is still being brought to bear for Ealing 1871. Tasked with ensuring players are signed up in time for matches and training, good luck to anyone who hasn't signed up as soon as they can. (Just to be sure, get signed up for next week now!!!!!).He also tells us about life as a Royal Marine, how he found a team sport of choice later in life, and just how silver Lewis and Josh Steadman's tongues are. #BleedGreen

Sometime-host Toby Holt returns by popular demand to share a convivial chat about all things Ealing 1871. The winger-turned-flanker, talks about his new-found fitness passion, his attempts to woo his local cafe into some sponsorship, and how he spent Valentine's Day. Toby also looks forward to the weekend's fixtures and the 1st XV's trip to Twyford Avenue to face local rivals Wasps. #BleedGreen

Harry Reed was new to Ealing 1871 this season, but it hasn't stopped him from grabbing a place in the first XV second row, where his height and energy have helped the team to the top of the table. Harry looks back on our defeat to Saracens that put the promotion party on ice, and talks about what brought him down to Vallis Way and what he loves about the club. We also chew over his time at the University of West London, his aims to work in the film world, and just how many different countries he's lived in.#BleedGreen

It is potentially a red letter day for Ealing Trailfinders 1871 on Saturday when a five-point win at home to Saracens would guarantee promotion from Counties 2 Herts/Middx to Counties 1 Herts/Middx. With such a huge match coming up we catch up with 1st XV captain Lewis Steadman to look forward to what could be a memorable day for the club, what they expect from Saracens and what they will need to do to maintain their focus with a huge prize on the line. We also find out what he puts on his pancakes, and what he has planned for Valentine's Evening.Romance and rugby, what more do you need. #BleedGreen