A trip down to newly promoted Ealing Trailfinders always looked like it would be a tricky fixture and that was just how it panned out on Saturday. A well-organised and talented home side had Welwyn on the back foot for the majority of the game and ran out comfortable winners at 56-14.

A dreadful journey down to Ealing definitely didn’t help the visitors and they were grateful when Ealing agreed to put the kick-off back by ten minutes to allow Welwyn more time to prepare. The Ealing set-up is outstanding and they now boast a brand new artificial grass playing surface to augment the excellent off-field facilities.

Welwyn were slow out of the blocks and within 13 minutes, Ealing had scored three tries to take a lead of 15-0. Welwyn responded well with a well-worked try by skipper Josh Milton. Forced to start the game playing in the centre due to unavailability, Milton hit a great line to sprint through to score under the posts. Jake Riley converted and Welwyn had narrowed the gap to 15-7. This spurred Ealing into action and three further tries put them almost out of sight as the teams changed ends at half time with Ealing 34-7 ahead, with Welwyn’s Tommy Laing and AB Makoni both in the bin for deliberate knock-ons.

Whatever was said at half-time by head coach, Gareth Hughes, seemed to work, as Welwyn started the second half in a positive mood. After 15 minutes, Tommy Laing raced over to score and Riley’s conversion narrowed the deficit to 34-14. Sadly, this was Welwyn’s last score of the game and Ealing scored a further three tries to run out comfortable winners at 56-14.

Head coach, Gareth Hughes commented: “The league this year is already proving to be significantly tougher than last season. Despite missing a few players, the lads stuck to their task well against a very good Ealing side.

Welwyn now have a week off, before welcoming Chiswick to Hobbs Way on 12th October 2024 – 15.00 KO.