A touch of bitter and a lot of sweet greeted Ealing Trailfinders at Saturday’s final whistle against their nearest rivals.

The west Londoners returned to the Greene King IPA Championship at the first bounce - even if they did lose their unbeaten home record to Rosslyn Park, 19-15.

A season’s best 2,278 turned up at Vallis Way to see Trailfinders take an all important losing bonus point and deny Park a fifth digit that would have extended the battle to the last week.

As it was, bubbly burst all over a losing but excited squad. Surely, one of the few times a defeat has been celebrated with such joy as captain Tom Brown lifted the National One trophy.

Enjoy the sun and champagne-soaked Trailfinders in our exclusive gallery.