I see that Ealing have been very busy in the summer recruiting new players.Good luck to them i say.

New Signings Announced
Looking to build on last season’s third place finish in National Three South, director of rugby Mike Cudmore has signed 14 new players to add a mix of youth and experience to an already strong squad.

Mike Cudmore, director of rugby, said: “Last season was pleasing in that after a slow start we managed to pull the season around and finish in third place.

“After reviewing the season, it was clear to all that we could have and should have finished with more points and possibly been in a position to challenge for a playoff spot.

“Our goal this season is to be consistent in our performances, finish higher than our previous season and in doing so challenge for promotion to National Two. This of course will not be easy in a very competitive league.

“Over the course of the pre season, we have released some players and also some have left due to commitment requirements. We have recruited strongly, bringing in players with Premiership and National One experience. We have also signed young players who will be developed and nurtured into regular first team players.

“We are all looking forward to a competitive and successful season.”

The full list of new signings is:

Dinos Alexopolous: (position) Hooker. (former clubs and honours) Henley, London Irish and Wasps.

Lee Best: Full back/wing. Bath and Worcester, Heineken Cup Winner, England U21 and England A.

Neil Brown: Centre/fly half. Wasps and Leeds Academy.

Aidan Bruynseels: Back Row. Wasps Academy. Apprentice of the year.

Andrew Dalgleish: Hooker. Newbury, Oxford University Captain, England Students.

Freddy Edwards: Scrum Half. Wasps Academy.

David Howells: Wing. London Irish. Rosslyn Park Sevens player of the tournament.

Ali James: Centre. Gloucester. Oxford University, Henley and Newbury.

Andrew Le Chevalier: Prop. Henley, Narbonne and Wasps.

Mark Lock: Back Row. Leeds Carnegie and Wasps.

Harry Rowland: Back Row. London Irish and England Universities.

Dan Smaje: Scrum half. Henley, Newbury and England U21

Mark Tucker: Centre. Northampton, Worcester, England U18, U19 and U21

James Winterbottom: Second Row. Henley and England Counties Captain


Lee Best, formerly of Bath and Worcester, said: “Ealing Trailfinders is obviously a club of the future, both with facilities that most premiership clubs would envy, a great backroom staff that keeps the club running so smoothly and a fantastic group of boys interested in winning at all costs with an attractive brand of rugby.  I am looking forward to the beginning of the season and hopefully being part of another successful promotion campaign.”  
Ali James, formerly of Gloucester, said: “Prior to playing professional rugby I had qualified and worked as a physiotherapist. The profession demands that you maintain a high level of continued professional development, and I wasn't able to achieve this whilst playing full-time rugby. With that in mind, I felt that I had reached a point where I had to return to clinical practice, however, I knew that finishing rugby would leave a huge void in my life. “Having the opportunity to be involved in the Ealing Trailfinders squad means that I can get a manageable blend of pursuing my career whilst remaining in a competitive sporting environment.
“I have enjoyed my time with Ealing so far. Everybody, including the coaching staff and the players, has been friendly and approachable. There is a competitive edge to the squad and it has been very clear from the start that all the coaching staff have high standards. All that combined means that it should be an exciting and rewarding season if we continue to work hard.”  
Mark Lock played for Leeds Carnegie in the Premiership last season. He said: “Having come to terms with finishing full-time rugby career, I wanted to go to a local club that was ambitious, professional and talented. Rob Hoadley (Ealing backs coach) assured me Ealing was all this.
“By the end of my first week I realised that he was right and that I had made a good decision in signing for Ealing Trailfinders.
“Since joining I have been very impressed by all departments of the club from the coaching and players to the facilities that are on offer. It is clear to see that everyone involved at the club is proud to be a part of Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club. “I cannot wait to get the season started and hopefully play my part in what everyone wants to achieve this season, which is promotion.”  
England U21 cap Dan Smaje said: “I joined Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club because I was very impressed with the set up at the club. The facilities are fantastic and, most importantly, Mike [Cudmore, director of rugby] and the team have a real drive and ambition to progress up the leagues, which I want to be part of.”  
Mark Tucker, formerly of Worcester Wariors, said: “Making the decision to step away from professional rugby was not an easy one and it was important to me that I found a part-time environment that would enable me to not only enjoy my rugby but also to develop it, while still having the leniency to learn the ropes of my new career.
“If I am honest, Ealing Trailfinders is considerably more than I was expecting. I was of course aware of the success of the team in the previous season but was in no way prepared for the other considerable attributes of the club.
“The whole environment is extremely professional and already there is an intense focus to supersede the previous seasons’ achievements. The standards and skill levels of all the players are unbelievably high and I am already really looking forward to the first game of the season.
“In addition to all of this, the facilities are fantastic. They are very similar to the majority of the premiership and in many cases even better. In Particular the Gym and Club house are far and beyond what I expected. “There is no doubt in my mind that I have made the correct decision joining Ealing Trailfinders and really look forward to helping the guys build on the success and development of the club.”  
James Winterbottom, England Counties captain, said: “Moving to a new club after eight years with Henley has provided a new and very exciting challenge. From the first day of pre-season training, the existing players and management team at Ealing Trailfinders have been very welcoming and have ensured that all the new recruits, including myself, have been made to feel right at home. I have been extremely impressed with the attitude, skill levels and professionalism of all the players and cannot wait to play my part in a very successful 2008/09 season.”

Looks like they are building.  Will be a good contest between them and Scottish this year, good luck to them.

That game is being held on a Sunday,think i might go and watch.

merlin, you seem to be taking an unhealthy interest in Ealing. They don't have the old Doom Bar there do they?

Wish they did Dave,they are really only 35 mins. away so as they were playing that match on a Sunday i thought i'd call in and say hello and sample the ale.    

No Doom Bar, they have "Ealing Pride", a re-badged "Bays revenge"/"Pirates Pride".

merlin, have a good day. Wish Ealing all the best for next season.

Newlyn Boy, Bays revenge? Would that be a full pint then?  

--Last edited by DaveH on 2008-08-09 18:16:25 --

Appear to be going very well, when are the big games v London Scottish?

This Sunday coming,2nd Nov.Ealing v Scots,top of the table clash,anyone going?.If so,see you there.

Let me think about that. Er no

Whats wrong with you man,only take you 5 hours with a following wind!.

Exactly

Your support would be much appreciated Merlin (I trust your not going to watch as a neutral!).  I should be down at the club on sunday so will seek you out and keep your glass topped up - I'm assuming you will be in Bay gear.  
Glad to see that your season rolling last saturday, was begining to get a bit fearful for you.  You should now be able to get sufficient home wins and the odd away to see you survive - RFU premitting off course!

If all goes well we may well meet again next season EA.  Which would be nice

I think you would all enjoy that.

Off now to Ealing to see the top of the table clash against the Scots.Report later.

Merlin reports a heavy loss for Ealing

10-38 to Scots

17-38 Final Score.Very impressed by the Scots they came out second half and only allowed Ealing once into their 22.Will need to build on the squad if they do go up,i would have thought the front row would have to beef up but the second row would certainly hold up to Div.2.The no.11 will have to go he hates tackling.

Breaking news this side.The springbok emblem is to be moved to the right side of the jersey and the king protea will be on the left side.

It appears that they will still be known as the Springboks. Watch this space.

While the result doesn't fully put winning the league out of Ealing's reach, it does make it look as though Scottish are the team this season. Is the number 11 known as legs?

p.s. I see scotsexile is online - now there is a name we haven't seen for a while - welcome back.  

(edited to improve spelling)  

--Last edited by DaveH on 2008-11-05 12:35:44 --