Despite an excellent display in attack and defence against another of the four run-away leaders in Counties 1 Herts & Middlesex, Ealing Trailfinders 1871 were unable to fashion the four-try victory they needed to finish second, and with Finchley completing their own season with an expected win at Datchworth ended their first season at Level 7 in fourth, with a massive gap of over 30 points down to the team in fifth.

On a warm early April day and on a fast 4G pitch in front of an enthusiastic crowd at the well-appointed Rosedale sports centre, Ealing began brightly and pinned their opponents back in their own 22 metre area for extended periods. Knowing that they needed to score tries to achieve their target, 1871 eschewed the opportunity of putting points on the board by opting to take scrums when twice awarded penalties. The Cheshunt scrum held firm on both occasions, and with almost half an hour gone the contest remained scoreless. Eventually a decision was made to turn pressure into points, Harry Vidler bisecting the posts from the right-hand side of the pitch. A second attempt was missed, and a sustained attack by the hosts a few minutes later finally found a gap in the Ealing defence for the first try of the day, leaving the score at 7-3 at the break.

Despite having the slight advantage of the diagonal breeze in the second half, 1871 went further behind with a fine try on the right wing from a cross-field kick reminiscent of one scored by Jack Hobbs from a Vidler kick earlier in the season. A penalty left Ealing 17-3 adrift despite their territorial advantage, and a few opportunities went begging with the line-out sometimes not providing the platform wanted in the difficult wind. However, Ealing maintained their self-belief and reduced the gap to seven through outside centre Lewis Steadman, Vidler providing the extras. Aware by now that four tries would be a tall order against a resolute and well-organised defence, 1871 focused on inching their way to victory and came within four points with another Vidler penalty. In response Cheshunt restored the gap with a penalty of their own, setting up a grandstand finish in which Ealing needed a converted try to tie the contest. Forward dominance nearly led to the required score under the posts, and the hosts went down to 14 men due to a forward not rolling away. The try duly came with the last move of the match, but was scored by Flynn Ward wide on the left, and Vidler’s conversion attempt sailed just wide of the posts, much to the delight of the home players and crowd to end a high-quality encounter worthy of a higher level.

1871’s attention now turns to the Papa John’s Cup with an away fixture against Hitchin after Easter, followed, if successful, by an away game against an Essex side, potentially a repeat of the 2024 trip to the pleasant ground of Burnham-on-Crouch. Meanwhile, news is awaited of the league structure for 2025-26 following the decision of Middlesex and Herts to go their separate ways after the latter voted to allow 2nd XVs into their leagues.