Ealing Trailfinders open the season with a 43–26 away win

Ealing Trailfinders opened their 2026/27 Elior Champ Rugby season with a 43–26 away victory over Chinnor. The match was played at Kingsey Road on Saturday 19 September. The west London side built a commanding lead before half-time and then protected it after the hosts produced a much stronger response in the second half.

Fionn Gibbons scored the opening points after 13 minutes. The wing collected a pass from Bobby De Wee and crossed for his first Champ try, with Louie Johnson adding the conversion. Chinnor responded through Jamie Campbell, but the visitors quickly regained control. De Wee broke through the home defence before Sam Grahamslaw finished a lineout and maul move. It was also Grahamslaw’s first Champ try as an Ealing player.

Trailfinders kept attacking. Jarrod Taylor scored his first try in the competition, and Toby Cousins added another shortly before the interval. Ealing went into the dressing room 29–5 ahead. That advantage proved decisive because the second half developed very differently.

Chinnor began the new period with sustained pressure. After a sequence of scrums, Will Cave scored and the conversion reduced the deficit. Ealing answered after Gibbons won possession. The ball was moved wide and Hayden Hyde completed the attack with a try, which Johnson converted.

The hosts continued to fight back. Morgan Passman reached the try line, while Richie Simpson added another score after a further spell of Chinnor pressure. Both conversions were successful. Trailfinders nevertheless retained their composure. Hyde intercepted a loose pass and ran in his second try, with Johnson’s conversion establishing the final 43–26 score.

For Ealing residents and club supporters, the central point is a successful start to the league campaign. The result demonstrates the side’s attacking strength: Trailfinders scored seven tries. It also identifies an area for attention, as Chinnor recovered part of the deficit and crossed three times after the interval. A first win gives Ealing a strong platform, although the coaching staff will have plenty to examine in the contrasting performances before and after half-time.

The club’s pre-match team announcement confirmed that this was the opening league fixture of the 2026/27 season. Director of Rugby Ben Ward selected a 23-player matchday squad, with Scott Buckley retaining the captaincy. The 43–26 victory means Trailfinders return from Kingsey Road with a winning result and a positive opening to the new campaign.