Beaconsfield First Up For 1871 1st XV

Ealing Trailfinders 1st XV will take on Beaconsfield on Saturday, 12 September for their Regional 2 (Level 6 of the RFU league pyramid) debut match after they won promotion with the Counties 1 Middlesex title.

They are a side well known to head coach Phil ‘Smudger’ Smith, who previously coached the Hertfordshire outfit.

“Starting against Beaconsfield will be a special moment for me and a huge test for our lads,” Smith said. “It is a club that gave me great memories and helped shape my coaching. They are a brilliant club, with an excellent coaching set-up and some terrific players.

“Having coached there during their unbeaten promotion season, I know first-hand what a tremendous club Beaconsfield are and how difficult this first game will be for our young squad.”

A week later, 18711sts take on our nearest opponents, Old Priorian. Seven days on, Teddington Stags complete the September fixtures.

Old Priorians are the opposition for the final fixture before the league stops for Christmas and New Year, on Saturday 19 December. After the New Year, the first match is a clash with Teddington on 9 January.

There is likely to be no love lost on Valentine’s weekend when 1871 1sts meet London Irish Wild Geese, and the season ends on 10 April, against Beaconsfield.

Middlesex Merit Table Premier winners, Ealing Trailfinders 1871 2nd XV, also kick off their first season in Counties Middlesex 2 on 12 September, against Saracens Amateurs.

A week later, they take on local rivals Actonians and complete the opening month against Barnet Elizabethans. The return fixture against Actonians is their final one before the festivities in December, and they end the season as they started it, against Saracens Amateurs.