Old Elizabethans v Cinderford II
24th January 2026

Playing teams at the top of the league despite our sitting in 5th place are always going to be tough as we found out last week, but still clinging to the narrow victory over Smiths RFC, OEs came up against a strong Cinderford II team still with a good level of confidence.

Earlier in the season we witnessed what was a really impressive team performance by them, and we have to remind ourselves that they have two games in hand and if they generate 5 points from each game then the match between Frampton Cotterell and Cinderford II on Saturday 7th February could well be the league decider.

1st XV SQUAD:: Greg Foord, Jack Houlder, Conor McGrath, Tom Bendall, Matt Bailey, Callum McCarthy, Will Mortimer, Jakob Harding, Tom Cole, Sam Hygate, Alex CS, Monty Nash, Freddie Williams, Tom SD, Arthur Mills, Fergus Blyth, Andrew Barnett, Ollie Brown

MATCH REPORT:
The conditions were not good for each team and a real leveller with strong winds blowing across the pitch and a cold one at that with a very wet and boggy pitch. Cinderford kicked off facing the clubhouse and were into their stride very quickly and Es had to work hard to clear their lines before they themselves mounted a really good attack led in part by Will Mortimore driving his way forward.

Es scrum was good and good ball led to a chip through which the Cinderford defender fumbled and Freddie Williams was on it like a shot to touch down with Sam Hygate adding the extras (7-0)

A really good start for Es and the large Es crowd boosted by there having been a pre-match lunch for 24 former players, dared to think an upset could be on the cards, or maybe it was just one too many glasses of wine!

An immediate response by Cinderford soon put them in their place with a well worked albeit lucky unconverted try largely due to Es not managing a wet ball very well (7-5).

The next scoring opportunity came to Es when awarded a kickable penalty but the strong wind was to play its part as Sam Hygate saw his kick drift wide. Despite Es best efforts with some good possession and territory it was Cinderford who scored next with a single player breaking from their 22 evading numerous tackles to touch down but the conversion kick hit the post (7-10).

Tom SD off with a knock to the head and Ollie Brown on. The Es penalty count was starting to rise as Cinderford applied pressure but some great Es’ defence and a great kicking game from Sam Hygate kept Cinderford out until the half time Break.

Half Time score (Old Elizabethans 7 – 10 Cinderford).

Fergus Blyth and Andrew Barnett on for Es. Es had a bright start to the second half but once again the slick play in poor conditions from Cinderford saw them break through for a further unconverted try (7-15).

Some great defence tackling from Es was needed as the game started to drift away, finding it difficult to secure the ball at set plays and Cinderford with their tails up were looking for the bonus point try which came soon after, duly converted, to take the score to (7-22).

The game was now only going to go one way as Cinderford applied continued serious pressure and there was no stopping a big bloke who crashed through the Es defence to score under the posts and the conversion followed (7-29).

The territorial advantage to Cinderford continued for the remainder of the game and they secured a final score with a one man try and conversion (7-36)

A tough afternoon for Es but nonetheless a good performance and some excellent defence which will hopefully hold them in good stead as we look forward to some easier games.

There is no league game for Es until Saturday 14 February when Es travel to Tewkesbury to try and secure a season double over them but this again will by no means be an easy game. In the meantime, Es have a Cup match on Thursday 5th February - Away vs North Bristol RFC - please come along and support - ko time tbc but potentially 7.30pm

FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 7 – 36 Cinderford II

SCORERS:
Tries: Freddie Williams
Conversions: Sam Hygate

Spectators Man of the Match: Will Mortimer showing how Es really miss his being available on a regular basis!

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website