Stroud RFC v Old Elizabethans 1st XV
26th September 2026

Welcome to this first match report of the new season with the Es 1st XV opener away to Stroud RFC. This brief match report comes from details shared on the clubs WhatsApp page, input being provided primarily by Luke Jagger and partially by Colin Williams.

A small contingent of travelling support was bolstered by a surprise visit from former players Jim Hemming and Luke Godley, the only other player from their era present being Andy Brook. Thanks for your support lads!

1st XV SQUAD:: Greg Foord, Fergus Blyth, Callum McCarthy, Angus Clifford, Harry Wiseman, Matt Fitzpatrick, Herbie Gale, Jakob Harding, Sam Hygate, Monty Nash, Alex CS, Alex Potts, Pat Dore, Kit Douel, Fin McCarthy, Andy Adams, Dan Leach, Joe Sparkes.
The Es’ squad included 8 former QEH Pupils, see photo below, along with the League Table and season fixtures.

MATCH REPORT:
Both sides had a lot to prove in this opening contest of the new season and a good opportunity to boost confidence in a very competitive league.

First blood: Stroud with a silky try (7-0).
Es are off the mark thanks to a penalty kick from Sam Hygate (7-3).
Great blue wall defence on the line to keep out a hungry Stroud pack, followed by a wonderful touch finder from Monty Nash.
Bit of a battle in the midfield but Es growing into the game and have entered the opposition 22.
Stroud through the middle but their 15 knocked on his chip attempt.
Alex CS off with an eye injury, replaced by the electric Joe Sparkes.
Stroud run in their second try (14-3).
Most of play is now taking place in the Es half

Es score in the corner but a Stroud line-judge calls it out. Es applying pressure though which is lovely to see, and Es win a turnover on their 10m line and Monty sends it into touch and Es score a converted try (14-10).

Half Time score (Stroud 14 – 10 Old Elizabethans).

Colin Williams: “Just seen Malcolm - made a lovely break and found a gap to the bar.”

Stroud look well drilled but are relying on a handful of players to make anything happen. Es looking smooth when they get going, but just need that last pass to stick.

Es start the second half with a bang, try scored by Kit Douel in right hand corner. Converted well again by Sam Hygate (14-17).

Stroud respond with try in corner themselves. Equally well converted (21-17).

Es on fire, edge to edge, some good feet and hard carries. Sumptuous try with conversion (21-24).

Fantastic play by Es. Great back play by Es. Ball along line to RHS then all the way back across the pitch to score in left hand corner. Scorer Joe Sparks and another great conversion by Sam, this time from his wrong side. (21-24).

Replacements - McCarthy and Wiseman stand down for Dan Leach and Andy Adams.

Es lead maintained as Stroud drop it over the line, getting into crunch time now.
Stroud win a penalty from the scrum - held up on the line!
Stroud run back the drop out but one of their guys goes for an extra few metres on his knees. Ref says I don't think so pal. Stroud back with the ball just inside Es’ half.
Es putting everything into this defence. Es see yellow for repeated infringements and Stroud score and convert.
And the whistle blows for Full Time.

FINAL SCORE: Stroud RFC 28 – 24 Old Elizabethans

A valiant effort by the team but nevertheless a tough start to the season for Es with no doubt a level of disappointment for the players especially as we beat Stroud RFC twice last season (home & away) and knowing that we face a challenging fixture next Saturday at home vs Smiths RFC but that’s the reality of being in this league. C’mon Es!

The last words of the day came from Jim Hemming - You missed a good one. Stroud fielded 15 absolute units - not convinced I'd have left the car park if I'd seen that lot warming up - thought it was going to be one way, but the Es were gutsy as hell - unlucky to leak the winning try with the last play of the game.

NOTE: next Saturdays game will also act as a Testimonial match for former Es skipper Barry Coombs who died recently. His brother Nigel Coombs and friends and family will be along to support.

SCORERS:
Tries: Kit Douel, Joe Sparks
Penalties: Sam Hygate
Conversions: Sam Hygate (3)

Report by: Paul 'Blakey' Barrington using details provided by Luke Jagger and Colin Williams