Old Elizabethans 1st XV v Smiths RFC
3rd October 2026

Two games today, The Es Thundercats were away to face Gordano RFC II XV in an early 1:30pm kick off, whilst the 1st XV had their first home game of the new season against Smiths RFC.

The home match was also very poignant as it was treated as a Memorial/Testimonial match in remembrance of former 1st XV Captain (1970/71) Barry Coombs, who sadly passed away recently. His brother Nigel (also former 1st XV Captain 1974/75) and family and friends were in attendance to support the team and to join in the minute silence before the game started. After the game Nigel gave a quick synopsis of Barry’s achievements in the sports world and gave a Whisky toast! Thanks to everyone who supported.

Thundercats SQUAD: Fergus Blyth, Harry Redfern, Tom Hargroves, Mark Sweeney, AlexGanfield, Isaac Ridley, Archie Walker, Rafe Simms, Myles Pillay, Dom Swann, Josh Barreto, Alex Potts, Angus Clifford, Will Laver, Ned Lockwood

Thundercats MATCH REPORT:
End to end stuff in the first 3 minutes before Harry Redfern crashes over for the TCs after two great offloads out of the tackle (0-7).
Gordano catch the Es Guards napping at the ruck and go in from halfway (7-7).
The Es’ Cats get their famous pick and drive game going and Mark Sweeney goes over for a try (7-12).
Gordano respond through space on the edge from a good back’s move (14-12).
Another error from Es in the backs gifts Gordano a try (21-12).
End to end stuff though still. Unbelievable scenes, with Es’ TCs going from their own 22 with a 5 phase move before Archie Walker breaks and goes in from 60m with a Goosie around the fullback! (21-17).
Great break from Angus Clifford and the pack flex their muscles again. Hargroves over (21-22).

Half Time score (Gordano 28 – 22 Thundercats).

(35-22) chances for both sides but the home team first in the 2nd half.
(42-22) still a good battle in the midfield but Gordano starting to find space outside
(42-27) Not another one! This time Archie Walker goes from 85m straight down the touchline skipping past 3 defenders. We’ll not hear the end of this tonight!!

FINAL SCORE: Gordano 49– 27 Old Elizabethans

Great game, 2 sides that really came to play and move the ball about.

Old Elizabethans 1st XV v Smiths RFC

1st XV SQUAD: Greg Foord, Jack Houlder, Cal McCarthy, Tom Bendall, Ben Charlton, Matt Bailey, Jakob Harding, Herbie Gale, Sam Hygate, Monty Nash, Kit Douel, Pat Dore, Sam Brewer, Joe Sparkes, Arthur Mills, James Brooke, Fin McCarthy, Tom Cole

MATCH REPORT:
The 1st XV narrowly missed out on a win last weekend against Stroud RFC but played some excellent rugby. Now is the chance to prove themselves at home once more against one of the league’s top teams. Last season, at home to Smiths, Es rallied in the second half and made a remarkable come back and secured a narrow victory at home winning 40-38 so today could also prove to be a tough and close game!

One late change, Fergus Blyth in for Greg Foord.

Es made a very bright start and after only 3 minutes a break from our half by Jakob Harding and a last minute pass to Ben Charlton, saw Ben score for Es with Sam Hygate adding the extra two points (7-0).

Es had good lineout work throughout the match but maybe struggled a little in the scrums. Anyway, Smiths struck back very quickly and within a short space of time had reversed the score to (7-14).

Arthur Mills getting his head the wrong side in a tackle was replaced by Fin McCarthy who almost immediately put in a try saving tackle. There then followed a period of injuries and stalemate in the middle of the park. Another try saving tackle this time by Monty Nash as Smiths started to apply more pressure. Alas it was Smiths that broke the stalemate with another well worked try, albeit for some it looked like a forward pass, calls from the crowd being ignored by the Referee! Try not converted (7-19).

A promising Es attack followed but unfortunately nothing came from it and Smiths clear their lines. Smiths were enjoying probably 80/20 possession and territory but a stubborn Es defence was keeping them in the game, however Smiths extended their lead soon after with another converted try (7-26).

Another try saving tackle from Fin McCarthy being one example of Es hard working defence and although Es finished the half strongly, they couldn’t convert this into points.

Half Time score (Old Elizabethans 7 – 31 Smiths).

Smiths started the second half the stronger of the two teams and very quickly extended their lead to (7-38).

Es looked dead and buried but a Smiths Yellow Card for a high tackle seemed to lift Es’ resolve and they soon after scored a converted try through Matt Bailey who was stopped just short of the line but got to his feet very quickly to then finish the job as the ball emerged from a ruck! (14-38).

Could this be the start of an Es comeback? Indeed, soon after a great run from Herbie Gale and a popped pass to Ben Charlton saw Ben score his second of the day for Es, not converted (19-38).

A great break by Sam Brewer almost put Herbie Gale in but the ball was spilled in this exciting spell of the game. A great chip through by Monty Nash was well followed up by Joe Sparkes as Es increased confidence shone through and a good move involving Ben Charlton, Herbie Gale gave Joe Sparkes a well earned try for Es, not converted (24-38).

Smiths increased their lead slightly through a penalty kick, Es being penalised once again, (24-41).

Sam Brewer raced for the line but his leg gave way and he was replaced. Whilst Es had secured a single bonus point for 4 tries, they were still hungry and a good steal by Jakob Harding put Es three quarters on the attack but an interception by Smiths allowed them to race the length of the pitch for a converted try (24-48) and that’s the way the game finished.

A valiant effort by Es, but the two tries straight after half time was probably their undoing. Smiths were impressive winners always managing to offload the ball in the tackle to someone in support, something we could maybe learn from? Next week Es are at home again to play Hucclecote RFC, who are one place above so let’s cheer the Es on lads - see you there!

FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 24 – 48 Smiths

SCORERS:
Tries: Ben Charlton (2), Matt Bailey, Joe Sparkes
Conversions: Sam Hygate (2)

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul 'Blakey' Barrington

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