Old Elizabethans v St Mary’s Old Boys
21st March 2026

After OEs’ last league match ending in a loss to Bream, Es were hoping for better fortunes this Saturday at home to a top four team in the form of St. Mary’s OB RFC.

1st XV SQUAD:: Greg Foord, Fergus Blyth, James Brooke, Ben Charlton, Matt Bailey, Pat Dore, Kiran Wright, Herbie Gale, Sam Hygate, Monty Nash, Alex Potts, Freddie Williams, Kit Douel, Arthur Mills, Marcus Boxall, Ollie Lunt, Tom Cole, Angus Clifford

MATCH REPORT:
A beautiful warm spring day welcomed St. Mary’s OB RFC to Hallen along with a good number of both travelling and home supporters.

A heavy defeat away to St. Mary’s earlier in the season seemed to be very much on the cards again in a first forgettable 12 minutes as St. Mary’s sieved their way through an Es defence lacking in self belief and with poor first up tackling Mary's racked up a lead of (0-24). As Es struggled to find either territory or possession the only bright spot was the contribution of Backs Freddie Williams and Marcus Boxall.

Despite this early heavy setback Es suddenly produced an excellent move along the three quarters in their own 22 with Kit Douel breaking through the Mary’s defensive line and raced into the Mary’s half providing an excellent pass to Arthur Mills who evaded the Mary’s full back to score a brilliant try converted by Sam Hygate (7-24).

The delight of the Es supporters was short lived as St. Mary’s piled on the pressure again to score their 5th try, not converted, to extend their lead to (7-29).

On the 36th minute mark, regardless of a good 5 – 10 minute spell by Es, Mary’s conjured up another non converted try to take a lead of (7-36). Despite this Es managed to conjure up some magic of their own just before half time with a well worked try by Freddie Williams, not converted.

Half Time score (Old Elizabethans 12 – 36 St. Mary’s OB RFC).

The second half started as badly as the first in some respects as Mary’s extended their lead with a converted try to (12-43).

A deliberate knock on by a St.Mary’s player reduced them to 14 for ten minutes but Es were still struggling with first up tackles and to secure the ball in the lineout and were even penalised for mouthing at the Referee! Angus Clifford on.

The scoreline was looking ominous but from somewhere Es rallied themselves to put in a good second half performance which they can be proud of. Firstly, some good Es’ pressure led to a second try for Freddie Williams with Sam Hygate’s kick bouncing in off the post (19-43).

A good turnover ball by Monty Nash and another good run by Kit Douel gave further witness to Es improvement on the park and then an excellent interception on half way by Ollie Lunt saw him gracefully stroll in under the posts for a Bonus Point try duly converted by Sam Hygate (26-43).

For the rest of the match Es were then chasing a second bonus point for finishing within 7 points. Indeed, soon after Es closed the gap even further as Herbie Gale took the ball at the lineout within the Mary's 22 and ran in under the posts with Sam Hygate adding a further two points (33-43).

Freddie Williams from the restart and then Arthur Mills showed Es firm intentions but Es were then penalised at the scrum which seemed to let St. Mary’s off the hook slightly as they then evaded Es defence and from within their own half ran through to score against the run of play for an unconverted try (33-48).

Es however continued to play with their new found belief with some good play from Marcus Boxall and Tom Cole. St. Mary’s were then awarded their second Yellow Card of the match and Es capitalised with a well worked unconverted try from Arthur Mills (38-48).

The last few minutes of the game petered away without Es being able to secure the second bonus point before the Full Time whistle was blown.

Nevertheless, Es can be really happy with their efforts especially in the second half which they won.

Next Saturday Es travel to Stroud RFC to hopefully secure their 5th place in the league against a team lying in 6th place. Please lend your support if you can please!

FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 38 – 48 St Mary’s Old Boys RFC

SCORERS:
Tries: Arthur Mills (2), Freddie Williams (2), Ollie Lunt, Herbie Gale,
Conversions: Sam Hygate (4)

Man of the Match: Freddie Williams, an excellent all-round game topped off with two tries.

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Reports by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

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