North Bristol RFC v Old Elizabethans 1st XV
5th February 2026

Es were drawn away in the first round of the Bristol Combination Butcombe Vase competition to play North Bristol RFC at their ground on the 4G pitch which the lads are obviously very used to as this is where they do the majority of their training sessions. It was a foul evening and it did not stop raining throughout the whole game and it is in games like this that you feel sorry for the wingers who must be freezing.

Last time Es played North Bristol at their place was in the league last year when they beat Es quite convincingly but since then OEs have been separated and now North Bristol languish 8th in the league below OEs, but as we know you can never take anything for granted in rugby!

1st XV SQUAD:: Callum McCarthy, Greg Foord, Conor McGrath, Tom Bendall, Ben Charlton, Matt Bailey, Will Mortimore, Jakob Harding, Sam Hygate, Monty Nash, Alex CS, Pat Dore, Freddie Williams, Tom SD, Arthur Mills, Fergus Blyth, Andy Adams, Angus Clifford, Ollie Adams, Alex Potts, Marcus Boxall, Kit Douel

MATCH REPORT:
Es started the game brightly and despite the wet 4G surface were quickly pushing North Bristol back in the set scrum, and Es moved swiftly up to their 22 before a quick move through the three quarters led to a try by Alex CS in the far corner and a superb touchline conversion from Sam Hygate followed (0-7).

North Bristol then applied a short spell of pressure in the Es 22 before Jakob Harding had a great break and a penalty kick to Es followed before some good play by the forwards up through the middle of the park gamely led by Will Mortimore. The ball then being shipped out wide to Arthur Mills who skinned his man to score an unconverted try (0-12).

Once again Morty drove Es forward from the restart before the No.3 for North Bristol was Yellow Carded for a no arm tackle. Down to 14 men Es could now push the opposition back even more so and this led to a crash ball try from prop Conor McGrath, not converted (0-17).

Es were enjoying the majority of the territory and possession but a number of dropped balls prevented them extending their lead. A good steal by Conor and great release to Matt Bailey saw Matt kick through but to no avail. From an Es’ penalty the ball was moved out wide left before their defence stopped Es, however quick thinking from No.8 Jakob Harding saw him round the defence and score under the posts, converted by Sam Hygate (0-24).

North Bristol were not letting the scoreline affect them and they moved into the Es’ 22 but Es’ defence stood tall and then North Bristol were penalised for delaying the put in at a lineout and Es cleared their lines. Another great surging run from Morty saw him stopped in the 22 however once he got up and dusted himself off, he recovered the ball and stole through for another Es’ try, converted by Sam Hygate (0-31).

A very strange decision followed from the restart when Jakob Harding was Yellow Carded, not sure why, he was probably taking one for the team! North Bristol took advantage of this situation and following a spell of pressure they scored a good converted try..

Half Time score (North Bristol 7 – 31 Old Elizabethans).

From the restart another good carry from Conor McGrath. Es then seemed to go through a spell of indiscipline giving away numerous penalties but the defence held out despite some good North Bristol pressure. The rain seemed to get even harder and wet shirts definitely made all players and spectators feel somewhat cold.

Back to the game and a good Es’ kick through looked promising but again nothing came from it. Es were awarded a scrum in the middle of the park, just outside the North Bristol 22 and Es forwards shoved the opposition back into their own 22. Following this move led to a good try from Freddie Williams, the conversion kick drifting just wide (7-36).

Fair play to North Bristol they kept plugging away despite the fading memory of that win over Es back last season not helping their cause. The move of the match then came as Es broke out of their half with the most outrageous dummy being sold by Lock, Tom Bendall which allowed him to steam through the middle, a good timely pass to prop Callum McCarthy saw him sprint over the line for a great Es try with Sam Hygate’s conversion adding the extras (7-43).

Good moves from Morty and Sam Hygate and also Marcus Boxall could have seen Es notch up the 50 points. Indeed, Marcus did touch down but play was brought back by the Referee for some unknown offence. That’s where the game ended, a really good positive performance by Es taking them through to the next round of the Vase where they will face Bristol Saracens. Probably a much stiffer test against opposition sitting at the top of the league below and likely to join us in our league next year.

FINAL SCORE: North Bristol 7 – 43 Old Elizabethans

SCORERS:
Tries: Alex CS, Arthur Mills, Conor McGrath, Jakob Harding, Will Mortimore, Freddie Williams, Callum McCarthy
Conversions: Sam Hygate (4)

Skippers Man of the Match: Will Mortimore, another excellent performance leading from the front!

Spectators Man of the Match: Conor McGrath

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul 'Blakey' Barrington

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website