St. Mary’s Old Boys v Old Elizabethans 1st XV
17th October 2026

After last week’s good home victory vs Hucclecote RFC the 1st XV were up against probably stiffer opposition this Saturday away vs St.Marys OB (SMOB), always a good game to watch and a good following group of Es supporters were on hand to cheer on Es. It was a cold Autumn afternoon with the cold wind blowing across the pitch so not really favouring either team.

1st XV SQUAD: Jack Houlder, Fergus Blyth, Andy Adams, Tom Bendall, Matt Bailey, Harry Wiseman, Adam Koehler, Jakob Harding, Sam Hygate, Monty Nash, Kit Douel, Pat Dore, Sam Brewer, Alex CS, Arthur Mills, James Brook, Alex Potts, Scott Tomlins

MATCH REPORT:
Es were once again in a position where they were able to blood a newcomer to the Club by handing a debut to Adam Koehler (our very own Henry Pollock!!) and Adam didn’t disappoint by putting in an excellent performance at back row and he was the first to put in a crunch tackle, yes indeed, well done Adam and we look forward to seeing more of you!

SMOB probably started the game slightly brighter but good tackles from Adam and Kit Douel also gave opportunities to Sam Brewer and a great high ball take from Alex CS as the game settled down! The Es supporters were cheering as Es shoved what looked like a much heavier SMOB pack, back in the scrum, a dominance that was to continue throughout the game. Indeed, Es had started the game brightly and were enjoying a fair bit of ball and territory.

The Es pressure granted the opportunity for them to take the lead with a penalty and Es No.9 Sam Hygate obliged by slotting the ball through the uprights (0-3).

The lead however only lasted a short time as SMOB drove forward from a lineout and scored an unconverted try (5-3).

Unfortunately, even early on Es were committing too many penalties. Afterwards however the Referee Assessor felt both teams were as bad as each other in terms of the high number of penalties conceded and felt the referee should have acted earlier to try and stamp this out. One such penalty conceded by Es led to the SMOB No.10 running from halfway to score a converted try (12-3).

A similar situation happened very soon after where Es conceded another penalty taken quickly by SMOB for another try this time unconverted (17-3), a lesson for Es somewhere in all of this!!

Despite this, Es still looked bright and energetic and a good cross field pitch break involving Arthur Mills who popped the ball to Alex CS to score an unconverted try (17-8).

Another good Es attack should have led to a try but the referee adjudged the ball to have been held up. Es pressure continued however and a quickly taken penalty by Sam Brewer saw him beat three defenders to score, converted by Sam Hygate (17-15).

Half Time score (St. Mary’s Old Boys17 – 15 Old Elizabethans).

Early in the second half the SMOB No.10 continued to do damage cutting through the Es defence and SMOB scored under the posts + conversion (24-15).

Another player having an excellent game was Harry Wiseman who seemed to be everywhere. Es were awarded another kickable penalty and Sam Hygate didn’t disappoint bringing the score back to (24-18).

SMOB bounced back and despite a try saving tackle by Es on the line SMOB pounced and scored a converted try (31-18).

Arthur Mills showed some silky skills as he chipped through the defence and was there to catch the ball as it descended. SMOB were marched back 10m at the ensuing penalty for mouthing to the referee. Following another good Es scrum the ball found its way to Sam Brewer who stepped back inside before releasing to Kit Douel for a well worked try, not converted (31-23).

Adam Koehler continued to impress on his debut getting really stuck in. Es however were losing a lot of lineouts and losing good opportunities as a result as they tried to claw their way back to the SMOB scoreline. SMOB seemed to be tiring and further dissent to the referee saw them receive a Yellow Card again for mouthing!

Es then wasted another good opportunity and the number of these and missed tackles seemed to mount, really just letting SMOB off the hook! Es were punished when SMOB scored another unconverted try (36-23).

Another Es basic mistake saw Es’ players in front of the kicker at the restart and the number of basic mistakes were costing us. Nevertheless, the Es’ team spirit was excellent and their heads never dropped. A quick Es penalty was shipped out to Kit Douel on the right wing and he skinned two SMOB defenders for a great try, converted by Sam Hygate (36-30).

Within six points and Es seemed to be heading for two losing bonus points when Es gave away yet another penalty and SMOB chose to kick. As the SMOB No.10 lined up for the kick Es old boys Frank & Blakey blew hard and the ball toppled over, off the kicking tee. Es defence were the first to react and the six point difference was retained.

Another great break from the 22 by Kit Douel didn’t quite see him across the line and soon after the referee blew for full time.

FINAL SCORE: St. Mary’s Old Boys 36 – 30 Old Elizabethans

Es were close to snatching a win from the jaws of defeat but alas it wasn’t to be. A great overall performance, however too many mistakes and too many penalties cost Es in the end.

SCORERS:
Tries: Alex CS, Sam Brewer, Kit Douel (2).
Conversions: Sam Hygate (2).
Penalties: Sam Hygate (2).

Next Saturday Es are at home vs Old Patesians, I hope to see you there to cheer on the Es.

Skippers Man of the Match: Kit Douel

Spectators Man of the Match: Kit Douel

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul 'Blakey' Barrington

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website