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| 12 Oct 2026 | |
| Written by Malcolm Davies | |
| OE News |
After last week’s disappointing result at home to Smiths RFC, Es’ 1st XV hoped to bounce back in another home match vs Hucclecote RFC. Both teams had lost their first two league fixtures and therefore, despite this being so early in the season, this challenge for both teams had become a must win game! Hucclecote brought with them a shed load of supporters to cheer their team on, slightly outnumbering the Es support, albeit great to see a number of mums and dads on the touchline!
Meanwhile for the second week on the trot the Es Thundercats had a full strong squad playing away to face Bristol Imperial albeit facing their 1st XV. The game was a cracker with the TCs facing up well against a 1st XV but losing out in the end the final score being 48-24.
Thundercats squad: Tom Hargreaves, Mark Sweeney, Kieran Tucker, Dickie Thomas, Dan Leach, Josh Barreto, Ben Simmons, Joe Watkins, Will Patterson, Alex Potts, Will Laver, Will Appleton, Elijah Jacques, Ned Lockwood, Myles Pillay, Matt Carr, Matt Beddows. The TCs also saw a welcome return and reappearance of four Old Es players in: Ben Simmons, Wil Patterson, Will Appleton and Matt Carr - well done lads!
1st XV SQUAD: Fergus Blyth, Andy Adams, Jack Houlder, Ben Charlton, Matt Bailey, Harry Wiseman, Matt Fitzpatrick, Herbie Gale, Fin McCarthy, Monty Nash, Pat Dore, Sam Brewer, Kit Douel, Joe Spicer, Arthur Mills, George Houlden, Joe Sparkes, Scott Tomlins
MATCH REPORT:
A late withdrawal by Es Talisman Sam Hygate saw Fin McCarthy step up to play at 9.
Es kick off playing away from the clubhouse and following a good start from Es where they stole the ball at a Hucclecote scrum saw Es run in a try through second row Ben Charlton, not converted (5-0).
Es’ scrum looked solid despite giving away a few pounds to the opposition, but a low centre of gravity in the front row probably helping! Es continued to enjoy a lot of early ball and territory but unfortunately were unable to convert this into points and when Hucclecote broke into the Es half for the first time down the left side they scored an unconverted try bringing them level (5-5).
Es almost immediately bounced back with their own score after a great run from our own half involving Arthur Mills and Kit Douel before Fin McCarthy scored under the posts and Monty Nash slotted over the conversion (12-5).
Just as quickly Hucclecote responded with their own converted try following Es losing the ball at a defending lineout (12-12).
Es responded themselves with another great run by Arthur Mills followed by an impressive scrum from OEs shoving Hucclecote back a good few yards but to no avail and the next thing Es were forced into a try saving tackle but the Hucclecote player popped the ball up to a supporting player for a try and conversion (12-19).
Despite a relatively good first 20-25 minutes, Es seemed to suddenly be struggling against their opposition and it was no surprise when Hucclecote extended their lead just before the break with another well worked try and conversion from the opposition.
Half Time score (Old Elizabethans 12 – 26 Hucclecote).
A number of Old Boys on the touchline voiced their opinion in as much as it would be up to Es to score first in the second half, and thankfully they were not be disappointed.
A good run from Joe Sparkes before Hucclecote threatened again, but Es slowly worked their way back up the pitch Es eventually being awarded a penalty for which a Hucclecote player was shown Yellow. The Es pressure was telling and for the second time in two weeks Ben Charlton scored a second try not converted (17-26).
Es seemed to have a new spring in their step. Hucclecote were then marched 10m for talking back to the Referee, who incidentally was having an excellent game. Es structure was working and as the ball was well worked, Harry Wiseman broke through the defence and scored a great try under the posts converted by Monty Nash (24-26).
From the restart Es were immediately back in the opposition’s half but Hucclecote were not done yet and had a good spell in which Es penalty count mounted giving the opposition a boost. Hucclecote elected to kick for the posts from one such penalty but the ball drifted wide, Es then looking to clear their line through a kick from defence, saw the ball charged down but the ball running out, a lucky escape!
George Houlden (ex QEH) came on for his Es’ debut and contributed well for the remainder of the game! Es forwards then held up a Hucclecote player in the maul and earned a scrum but lost the set play before being awarded a penalty, however the penalty count for Es was still far too high as they chased the game.
The last 20 minutes though, were a delight to watch as Es played some excellent rugby. Scott Tomlins put in a try saving tackle before Es lifted themselves as once again Kit Douel scorched the earth with his pace down the left wing and into Hucclecote’s 22 before passing inside to Arthur Mills who stepped outside the last man and went over for an excellent score with Monty adding the extras, Es nudging back in front for the first time since the first five minutes (31-26).
Hucclecote’s restart kick didn’t go ten but quick thinking Es played the ball and Hucclecote didn’t react as Herbie Gale kicked the ball through albeit Herbie was beaten over the try line to the ball by a Hucclecote player preventing a further try. Hucclecote kicked out straight into the arms of a dominant Sam Brewer and Es attacked again the ball finding its way to Fergus Blyth who steam rolled his way over the line for a good try, not converted (36-26).
Soon after Es could have extended their lead but the ball bounced off Arthur Mills’ hands. Es rallied again through another Kit Douel run and Es earned a penalty 5m out before the ball was shipped left and into the safe hands of Herbie Gale who crashed over for a try giving Es the Icing on the Cake, not converted (41-26).
FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 41 – 26 Hucclecote
A great second half by Es who after a stern half time talk from skipper Pat Dore dominated the second half scoring 19 unanswered points. A well deserved victory thoroughly enjoyed by the Es support and of course the Es players.
SCORERS:
Tries: Ben Charlton (2), Fin McCarthy, Harry Wiseman, Arthur Mills, Fergus Blyth, Herbie Gale
Conversions: Monty Nash (3)
Es face a tough away fixture next Saturday Vs St. Marys OB - please try and get along to support the lads, C’mon Es!
Captains Man of the Match: Fin McCarthy
Spectators Men of the Match: Matt Fitzpatrick and Kit Douel
Full League Table and Fixture List below
Report by: Paul 'Blakey' Barrington
CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website
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