Old Elizabethans 1st XV v Old Patesians RFC
24th October 2026

After a really spirited performance away vs SMOB narrowly losing out but picking up two really useful well deserved bonus points Es were at home this Saturday to face Old Patesians RFC who were sitting third in the league so another good test for the team.

1st XV SQUAD: Jack Houlder, Fergus Blyth, Andy Adams, Matt Bailey, Matt Fitzpatrick, Adam Koehler, Jakob Harding, Herbie Gale, Sam Hygate, Alex Potts, Kit Douel, Pat Dore, George Houlden, Joe Sparkes, Alex CS, Joe Spicer, Callum McCarthy, Angus Clifford

MATCH REPORT:
A strong wind and rain were blowing down the field towards the clubhouse which could potentially see a game of two halves playing out. The Old Patesians supporters outnumbered the Es supporters about 5 to 1 (where were you all) with everyone crowding under the Perkins stand to stay semi dry!

Es kicked off facing the wind, a decision that was generally agreed with on the touchline. Es started well keeping it tight against the wind and spent much of the early spells in the opposition half however mistakes and handling of a wet ball together with the strong wind was already playing its part. The players of both teams very early on looked as if they wished to be elsewhere! Es also defended well knowing that if they could survive the first half largely unscathed that they would have the wind at their backs in the second half.

However, as President Cheek pointed out in the clubhouse after the game it is often easier to play and pass when facing the wind and that was the way it proved with Es facing the wind in the first half having the better of the play and similarly, despite Es attempts to use the wind in kicking down field, this didn’t materialise and Old Pats had the better of the second half playing into the wind.

It was no surprise that we reached half time with the score standing at 0-0, both teams had had their chances but nothing was converted into points. Es suffered an early injury with Matt Fitzpatrick leaving the field with a bang to his shoulder. Probably the only thing to cheer about in the first half was the great defence put up by Es.

Half Time score (Old Elizabethans 0 – 0 Old Patesians).

Early in the second half a try saving tackle from Matt Bailey didn’t go unnoticed by the supporters. Despite this the Old Pats pressure led to a kickable penalty which they duly converted to take the lead (0-3).

The pressure and territory swung both ways but without each team making any great in roads and there was certainly very little in the way of breaks. Occasionally Es tried to play skilful rugby only to be defeated by the conditions. For quite a while it looked as if Es would end up losing this match 0-3, but then Es were awarded a normally kickable penalty for Sam Hygate far out on the right hand side, but yes as was expected the wind took it wide of the upright.

However, soon afterwards Old Pats were penalised and then marched 10m, for back chat, and suddenly another penalty became kickable. This led to the biggest cheer of the afternoon as Sam Hygate slotted the ball between the posts, judging well the wind and drawing Es level at (3-3).

There was not much else to talk about in the clubhouse afterwards but both teams deserved praise for trying to play in dreadful conditions at the height of Storm Boelo. So, a good two points earned by both teams for a highly difficult game!

FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 3 – 3 Old Patesians

Next week Es travel to Bream RFC who are very much our bogie team especially at their place. Could this be the chance to change that, come and see, C’mon Es.

Man of the Match: Storm Boelo

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul 'Blakey' Barrington

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website