Coventry RFC v Ealing Trailfinders match preview.

This Saturday 1st September sees Coventry Rugby commence their National League One season with a home fixture at the Butts Park Arena, kick off 3pm against Ealing Trailfinders. After Jersey, Ealing Tfs were probably the surprise team of last season. Newly promoted they provided the closest competition to eventual Champions Jersey just falling 7 points behind them.

Founded in 1871, until last season Coventry had never played them before. Last season saw two exciting encounters between the two sides, with Coventry arguably putting up their best performance of the season by beating them at the BPA 29-26. The away fixture was lost 33-55 although Coventry did manage to pick up a try bonus point.

Under Director of Rugby Mike Cudmore and Head Coach Kieron Power they have seen Ealing power through the leagues, and in their first ever season in National league 1 they won 20, lost 7 and like Coventry drew 3, finishing a very creditable 2^nd.

Playing an open attractive style of rugby which suited their try scoring wingers Phil Chesters with 42 tries, and Owen Bruynseels with 21. Always dangerous from any area of the field, if they had any weakness it was in the forwards as Coventry showed them in their defeat at the BPA be denying them possession. Ealing have hoped to counteract that this season by recruiting two experienced locks, Steve Pape and Ben Thomas both from London Scottish, as well as influential No 8 Sam Shires from Tynedale.

Despite losing flyhalf Neil Hallett, they have also strengthened their backs by bringing in former Jersey and Barking centre Andrew Henderson, together with highly rated scrum half Tom Parker also from Barking. Jamie Hearn playing either as wing or fullback has also come in from Stourbridge.

Retained players to note apart from wingers Phil Chesters and Owen Bruynseels, include flyhalf Ben Ward who scored 162 points last season.

A stern test for a new look Coventry side who need to keep the ball from the dangerous Ealing backs and allow Coventry’s own backs to stamp their own authority on the game.

Saturday 1^st September here at the BPA, kick off 3pm is the place to be in what should be an exciting and intriguing game.

The Coventry side to face Ealing will be announced after training tonight.

Tom Little

Coventry Rugby press office

30th August 2012