Raiders add four players to squad

The Roundstone Lane outfit returned to training last week and last year’s promotion-winning squad was joined by four new faces.

Ealing Trailfinders duo Liam Perkins and Simon Gaynor have both signed along with Bath Academy’s Ben Loosmore and James Chisholm, who has also just penned a full-time contract with Harlequins’ Academy.

Flanker Gaynor and lock Perkins were both frequently-used replacements in Ealing’s National One title-winning season last campaign, while Loosemore can play at centre and on the wing,

Seventeen-year-old back-rower Chisholm – who has signed a two-year contract at Harlequins – is studying at Brighton College and will be playing on loan from the Premiership side.

On the Ealing duo, head coach Kieron Dawson said: “They are both local lads who have come back as they do not want to go full-time. Their experience in that league will be invaluable and both are good players.

“Another couple of guys from Bognor and Chichester are having a look, both are very good players and I think we had 12 new players come to training last week. We are still looking at two or three forwards and a couple of backs, too.”

Raiders have also been boosted by the news Kiba Richards will now return from New Zealand for the start of the season, while Matt Miles also looks set to be fit for the first game of the campaign after breaking his arm at the end of last season.