Ealing Trailfinders v Bedford Blues
Ealing
By TryBlues
May 4 2026
1st v 2nd for the second season in a row. Last year Blues went to Ealing and put in an impressive performance to beat the champions. If you can match the physicality of Ealing then you are over half way to beating them. However to get to that level is not an easy thing to do as we have seen in many seasons where we have won, had close losses and then been steamrolled.
Traditionally the final game of the season has been a bit of a farewell to players that are leaving. For me Blues should look to rest some key players and give some others an opportunity although I feel that Rayer will keep a pretty settled team and perhaps resting a handful rather than more than this.
I will actually be more interested in who wins the Coventry v Worcester game than the Blues game!
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Ealing will want to keep their 100% record. Bedford will want the bragging rights of being the only team to beat them in the regular season. The Coventry Worcester game will decide 3rd and 4th. The results between Hartpury and Pirates and Chinnor and Richmond provide a fascinating range of possibilities from Chinnor falling out of the top six to Pirates leapfrogging Hartpury. The Champ organisers couldn't have hoped for a better end to the regular season.
I had my doubts when the new structure was announced but am now converted.It might be something to do with the team I have supported for over 25 years being in the mix, of course. I still don't like the moniker 'Champ Rugby'. But when we win the final - who knows? 😄 COYB
With Sylvester in the team from the start that should make the lineouts fun....... wish it was at Goldington Road.
I have always said that I thought Trailfinders would go undefeated all season, but I have a feeling.....we might just run them close.
COYB
As has been pointed out on another string, our jackalling is not the best in the league. Trailfinders might have identified this as they are starting with their regular back row.
There is the opportunity for Blues players to play themselves into contention for the upcoming playoffs and for the squad to burst Trailfinders 100% balloon.
The energy, precision and resilience that has been present in recent games needs to be maintained to get a result that will build on an already talented and confident squad as it goes into the playoffs.
The pressure is all on Trailfinders. Use it, relax and enjoy the game. COYB
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2026:05:09:10:23:21 by the hooded man.
Personally I don’t like the artificial pitches as I think they do create more injuries.
Let me be clear, Ealing deserved their victory. However, all the chatting to the ref at every opportunity appeared to have some impact. Don’t think I saw our players approach the ref once.
We had some good moments and it was always about injury avoidance, but this game proved that Ealings 2nd professional fifteen are better than most starting fifteens in the division. They need to step up somehow for them, and everybody else.
Well played Sylveste today. Lots of players stood up. Great support from the travelling fans. Loud and proud on my tv.
