Dursley RFC v Old Elizabethans 1st XV
11th Apr 2026

Here we are at the business end of the season, Es looking to secure a very creditable 5th place in the league. Arriving at Dursley, Es with three games to go, 7 points clear of our two closest rivals for 5th place, Old Patesians and Stroud, 7 and 8 points behind. Their fixtures were against heavyweights St Mary’s and Cinderford. It looked, on paper, like a win for Es against lowly Dursley would secure 5th place. However, seasoned visitors to Dursley expect a tough game, would it be an afternoon of surprises?

1st XV SQUAD: Callum McCarthy, Fergus Blyth, Conor McGrath, Ben Charlton, Matthew Bailey, Pat Dore ©, Herbie Gale, Jakob Harding, Sam Hygate, Monty Nash, Alex CS, Alex Potts, Freddie Williams, Kit Douel, Arthur Mills, Tom Cole, Andrew Barnett, Marcus Boxall

MATCH REPORT:
Players and supporters arrived to a packed car park, big home support on a dry bright day, however a very fierce wind was blowing straight down the pitch, from posts to posts, which would surely be a factor. Dursley kicked off into the wind, too much height, sure enough, the ball was blown backward, not 10 meters, Es’ scrum, which looked very solid from the first engagement. Es won a penalty, drilled into the corner for a solid 5m catch and drive, the ball eventually spun out wide for fullback Arthur Mills to skip over in the corner. Sam Hygate nailed a difficult conversion, so after 6 minutes (0-7) to Es.

With the wind in Es’ favour, it was vital to rack up as many points as possible. But Dursley belied their lowly position, with slick handling, attacking both at pace and with their big ball carriers, it was frenetic end to end stuff, Es putting in some big tackles from Freddie Williams and Kit Douel, to keep Dursley at bay.

The wind went against Es a couple of times, big clearance kicks on Es’ 5 metre line, would bounce dead at the other end, with Dursley awarded the scrum back on Es’ 5 metre line. Es got into good attacking positions; however, the ball was coughed up in contact too many times, Es not converting pressure into points, which were needed. On 37 minutes Es were awarded a kickable penalty, converted for a 0-10 lead.

From an attacking position 30m out, talismanic prop Conor McGrath went down after a heavy, illegal tackle, and had to come off with suspected broken ribs, a big loss. Hygate succeeded with the resultant penalty (0-13).

On 40 minutes Dursley conceded again, from halfway Hygate successfully bisected the posts. With the ref blowing up for half time.

Half Time score (Dursley 0 – 16 Old Elizabethans).

Enforced front row changes, versatile hooker Fergus Blyth moving across to prop, with even more versatile centre Alex Potts cosying up at hooker between Fergus and stalwart Callum McCarthy. Supporters felt like the real test was coming, scrum changes and playing into the wind, had we scored enough points?

Dursley had the first chance for points, however their long penalty attempt was missed. Es worked back downfield, instigated by a powerful surge from No 8 Jakob Harding, who always made ground. Dursley conceded a penalty on their 22, duly converted for a (0-19) lead.

Dursley were back on the attack in Es 22, looking dangerous, a loose ball was seized by winger Alex CS, who scorched down the wing, passed inside to Mills, who was held up short, Matt Bailey scooped up the awkward bouncing loose ball and fed Hygate, his skilful chip over the top was collected by fly half Monty Nash who grounded under the posts. A scintillating 80 metre score, surely a contender for try of the season? The normally metronomic Hygate inexplicably blasted the conversion under the crossbar?! So, on 50 minutes, (0-24) to Es.

Dursley were back on the attack, Hygate going off with an injury to his forearm, replaced by the reliable and pacey Tom Cole. Replacements Andrew Barnett and Marcus Boxall were brought on, to bolster the defensive effort that would be required, and showed up well. Dursley worked downfield to a pile up on the Es line. The ref blew up, awarding a penalty try, we weren’t sure of the exact reason, on 70 minutes (7-24).

Es were really under the cosh, wave after wave of Dursley pressure in the Es 22, forwards Ben Charlton, Herbie Gale and Pat Dore getting through plenty of heavy tackles, eventually their lively scrum half broke through on 75 minutes for a 7 pointer, (14-24).

Es’ supporters were in for a nail-biting finale, it was all Dursley, could Es hang on? Dursley could smell Es blood, their big ball carriers hammering Es line, eventually a gap opened for another 7 pointer, (21-24), although close observers didn’t think the ball had actually been grounded, no matter, the score stood.

Fortunately, with the conversion sailing over, the ref blew for full time, to the massive relief of Es’ players and supporters. A four-league point win for Es, dogged out, on the road, against a good Dursley side made the trip very worthwhile.

Life is full of surprises, Old Patesians beat St Mary’s, a 4 pointer, which gives much added spice to next week’s final home fixture against Old Pates, with Es on 63 points and Pates on 55, according to today’s table. Theoretically, if Pates win their final two games with 4 and 5 league pointers, and Es get zero points, Es will be overtaken by Pates. So, to guarantee 5th place, Es need one win, or two bonus points from their remaining two fixtures, Es have better points difference. Es final game is away to Old Richians, bottom of the table without a single win. So, big day next week at home, crucial game followed by end of season BBQ, let’s all get down and make it a memorable day.

FINAL SCORE: Dursley RFC 21 – 24 Old Elizabethans

Supporters Man of the Match: was scrum half Sam Hygate, a 14 point haul from the boot, with great decision making and game management, well played Sam.

Now, a special mention for Conor McGrath. Conor was planning to retire, hang his boots up, at end of season. His retirement has been brought forward by the painful rib injury suffered on Saturday, so that was his final game for Es. Conor was one of the names you always looked for when the team was announced, a big unit, very solid scrummager and heavy ball carrier. With Conor anchoring the scrum, you always felt Es could compete against any other team. Off the field Conor has been highly influential in training, coaching, organisationally, and a great help to head coach Sam Wolstenhulme. We are tremendously grateful for your input Conor, on and off the field, you will always be welcome at OEs.

So, let’s all get down for the final home fixture, next Saturday, up the Es!

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Very many thanks to Andrew Tobin for this report

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