Old Elizabethans v Smiths RFC
10th January 2026

So, for the first Es Rugby Saturday of 2026 the 1st XV hosted Smiths RFC at Fortress Hallen, whilst the Es Thundercats were away to play St.Bernadettes II XV. Unfortunately, I don’t have a match report for the TCs game but I do know that they ran out winners 12-28 so a really good start for them for the new year, well done lads. As always, the league table is shown at the foot of this report.

A bright sunny and still day welcomed Smiths RFC to Hallen who brought a sizeable following with them, the weather contributing to a large crowd of both home and away supporters which no doubt contributed to the atmosphere for what was to be a hard fought game. It was great to see so many former players there including legendary 1st XV Prop Marshall Price . Smiths sitting 2nd in the league were no doubt looking to do the double on Es having won at home earlier in the season 45-24 so with Es sitting 5th in the league this was undoubtedly a real challenge.

1st XV SQUAD:: Callum McCarthy, Greg Foord, Conor McGrath, Tom Bendall, Ben Charlton, George Burnie, Jakob Harding, Herbie Gale, Tom Cole, Sam Hygate, Alex CS, Monty Nash, Pat Dore, Ollie Lunt, Freddie Williams, James Brooke, Matt Bailey, Tom SD

MATCH REPORT:
Es kicked off upfield facing the sun. Early exchanges were shared in terms of success with Es lineout and scrum working well. Smiths kicked into Es 22 and the Es defence was caught by a number of charging opposition players and were penalised in front the posts but strangely rather than take the easy three points on offer Smiths elected to take the scrum (a decision which can sometimes come back to bite you) which collapsed twice with the Ref deciding in favour of Es, a chance to clear their lines, however Smiths were enjoying a lot of possession in the Es half and kept pressing. Smiths had a good drive from a lineout and shipped the ball out via their three-quarters who broke the defensive line and scored a converted try under the posts (0-7)

So first blood to Smiths RFC. Ollie Lunt off with a knock to the head and Tom SD on. Es responded really well and quickly had their own success driving over the try line from a lineout with Jakob Harding touching down and Sam Hygate with the conversion to bring the scores level (7-7).

Smiths continued to impose themselves but they also made mistakes, not straight at the line and then penalised for pulling down at the lineout and being penalised as Es turned over at the ruck, so they were by no means getting it all their own way. Unfortunately, ex-skipper George Burnie was then taken off with a shoulder (Pec) injury and replaced by Matt Bailey.

Smiths upped the pressure and kicked through but Es were quick enough to touch down before a certain try. From the scrum Smiths moved the ball wide but passed directly into touch. Es were finding it hard to clear their lines and a Smiths turnover led to their second converted try (7-14).

Es were pleased to have Freddie Williams back at Fullback and he was making some good yards with some good runs, one good run led to Es scoring after a popped up ball fell into the arms of Es Second Row Ben Charlton who powered over for a good try, Sam Hygate adding the extras (14-14).

These efforts seem to go to waste quickly though, as Smiths were having some good success with some very fast wing play and indeed from one of these moves Smiths broke through for another try, this time the conversion was missed (14-19).

Smiths were definitely adding to the pressure just before half time not helped by a few missed first up tackles by Es. However, Es worked their way up to the Smiths 22 and a good drive from a lineout saw Es forwards pounding the Smiths defence, with a good run from Greg Foord popping up to Ben Charlton and eventually a good long reach from Second Row Tom Bendall secured Es third try converted by Sam Hygate taking Es into the lead for the first time (21-19). A brilliant and very entertaining first half.

Half Time score (Old Elizabethans 21 – 19 Smiths).

Es were now playing with the sun at their backs but it was Smiths who applied the early pressure of this half and it wasn’t long before they got their noses back in front with an unconverted try (21-24).

James Brooke on for Conor. A good tap tackle from Es defence stopped another certain try and the Es defence hung on before being awarded a penalty and were able to clear their lines. Herbie Gale off and Conor back on! Smiths continued to pile on the pressure another try saving tackle from Es was however popped up for an on rushing try scorer for Smiths duly converted (21-31).

At this point it certainly looked as if Smiths had got the measure of Es and Es continued to need to do a lot of defending. This excellent defence was then rewarded as Es moved up into the Smiths half and following a good lineout 10m out Greg Foord charged through to touchdown for an unconverted bonus point try (26-31).

It was certainly a ding dong game with one side scoring and then the other and here again Smiths responded well with a converted try at their next attack (26-38).

Twelve points behind and with Smiths in control it looked as if Es would at this point lose out. However, all games are a minimum of 80 minutes long and you just never know and from the restart Es applied some good pressure but despite good possession weren’t able to convert this into territory or points at this stage. Es kept trying and a great run from a lineout by Greg Foord, having one of his better games, pushed Smiths back. Es were awarded a penalty 10m out and a 5m lineout followed with Es driving forward and another great break by Greg Foord, who certainly had the bit between his teeth, was followed by another good run this time by fellow front rower Callum McCarthy.

Handbags followed with Es Tom Bendall being spoken to by the Ref. Somewhere in this last 5-10 frantic minutes Smiths penalty count increased as they buckled under Es pressure with first one player being yellow carded and then another.

This was Es chance and following a 5m line Jakob Harding drove over for his second try of the game, converted by Sam H (33-38).

The crowd and players alike sensed that there was a slim chance of Es doing something dramatic in the last few minutes. Es once again drove themselves into the Smiths half and Es were awarded a penalty 5m out after being held up over the try line and Es immediately pummelled the Smiths line and once again the long reach of Tom Bendall sent the Es home supporters wild as he once again reached out to touch down to draw the scores level at 38-38 with the conversion to follow, but was that ever in doubt, I don’t think so, as Sam Hygate secured the two conversion points to give Es a famous victory (40-38).

Smiths must have wondered how this had happened but probably with the two yellow cards they only had themselves to blame, but despite that Es still needed to cross the line twice in the last 5 minutes and fair play to every player on the pitch the belief was incredible and that belief for once saw Es grabbing a victory from the jaws of defeat. Well done to everyone involved a fantastic game which sets us up well for a really tough fixture next Saturday away to table topping Frampton Cotterell, please get along to support.

FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 40 – 38 Smiths

SCORERS:
Tries:Jakob Harding (2), Ben Charlton, Tom Bendall(2), Greg Foord,
Conversions: Sam Hygate (5)

Man of the Match: Greg Foord, an excellent game running with ball in hand topped off by a good try.

Spectators Man of the Match: Jakob Harding also an excellent performance with two good tries.

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website