Bream RFC v Old Elizabethans 1st XV
31st October 2026

After last week’s 3-3 draw a large contingent of Es supporters travelled to the Forest of Dean to hopefully witness a more exciting game of rugby with Es 1st XV away to play Bream RFC, who have over the seasons been somewhat of a bogie team for Es. Nevertheless, a bright sunny day greeted players and supporters alike and Es were sporting their new hooped strip.

1st XV SQUAD: James Brooke, Fergus Blyth, Andy Adams, Tom Bendall, Callum McCarthy, George Houlden, Jakob Harding, Herbie Gale, Fin McCarthy, Alex Potts, Kit Douel, Pat Dore, Sam Brewer, Ollie Brown, Arthur Mills, Harry Redfern, Hamish Watson, Conor McGrath

MATCH REPORT:
Es starting XV changed even before kick off with George Houlden tweaking his hamstring, giving Hamish Watson his debut start for Old Es. Es kicked off and got straight into the job at hand. The first scrum saw Bream rolling backwards; however, the scrums were probably an even contest throughout the rest of the match.

Es had an early attack with Sam Brewer chipping through the defence resulting in a 5m scrum to Es. A good break by Jakob Harding saw him pop the ball to Arthur Mills who stole through for an early score under the posts, somehow the conversion drifting wide! (0-5).

Es next showed their intent when they stole a Bream lineout and attacked through a combination of Brewer, Dore and Douel who scored a second Es try, again not converted (0-10). Nevertheless, a promising start.

Bream however looked as if they were up for it as well and on a couple of occasions cutting through the Es defence. However, Es stole another lineout and the ensuing play from our own half, involving Pat Dore, Arthur Mills to Kit Douel who scored a third Es try, again not converted (0-15).

A try scoring bonus point soon followed when Sam Brewer again chipped through the Bream defence and Kit Douel dribbled to the line but a Bream defender knocked the ball backwards before Kit could touchdown, but a speedy Fin McCarthy followed up with a touchdown, he then went on to convert his most difficult conversion kick so far (0-22).

Bream attacked and looked to score from a 5m line but Tom Bendall rose like a leaping salmon to steal the ball, a great break by Alex Potts selling two outrageous dummies saw him pop the ball back inside to Arthur Mills for what looked like a clear run to the line but the ball was spilled. Each of the two teams were then shown a Yellow Card and Bream seemed to be the team to take advantage with their first converted try of the game (7-22).

Es Fergus Blyth had a great run from the restart and Es were nearly in for another try but knocked on. The touchline faithful started to comment “We are overcomplicating it!”, “It’s getting scrappy” and Es seemed to be under some pressure from Bream. That said skipper Pat Dore was putting in his fair share of good hits. Es Lock Tom Bendall was also having a good game and a good break from him again looked as if Es must score but Bream saved the day with a goal line clearance.

For a while Es did appear to be trying to force the play rather than letting the ball do the work resulting in a number of mistakes and a high tally of penalties against. However, Es were pressing hard and a clearance kick by Bream landed in the Bread Basket of Arthur Mills and he and Pat Dore ran it back releasing the ball to Ollie Brown who rounded his man to score, the conversion hitting the post (7-27).

With moments left in the first half Bream attacked calling for a penalty scrum 5m out in front the posts and broke to the right to go through to score an unconverted try.

Half Time score (Bream 12 – 27 Old Elizabethans).

Tom Bendall took the restart kick well and had a good run. Soon afterwards the referee who was increasingly making some strange decisions decided to show Fergus Blyth a Yellow Card for being Offside!! Es seemed to have temporarily lost their mojo and Bream again capitalised with a driving maul from a 10m line to score a converted try (19-27).

Would Bream prove to be Es nemesis once again? Alex Potts could be heard to give Es a wake-up call - from a halfway lineout won by Es, Kit Douel kicked ahead and a good follow up by Arthur Mills saw him increase the scoreline gap again through an unconverted try (19-32).

Es then won a scrum and a great territorial 50/22 kick from Alex Potts took Es into scoring territory again only to be called back for a forward pass. Harry Redfern then came on to make his 1st XV Debut, slotting in at 2nd Row. Another debutant, Hamish Watson was then rewarded for following up when he picked up and went over for a good try, with Kit Douel converting (19-39).

Bream kept coming though and once again shouts from former skipper Alex Potts of “Look after the Ball’ could be heard, however Es seemed to have turned a deaf ear!! Skipper Pat Dore then went off with a minor injury giving George Houlden the chance to come on, seemingly having recovered from his earlier hamstring injury!

Es then had a great break from James Brooke, Bream were marched back 10m for being choppy and Es then knock on over the line for what seemed like an easy opportunity to score! Tom Bendall and Callum McCarthy linked up well as Es kept up the pressure in the last 15 minutes. A 5m line out by Es well won then saw Sam Brewer crash over the try line for an unconverted try (19-44),

With 11 minutes left, the rejuvenated George Houlden went on a storming run to score a good solo try, not converted (19-49).

Arthur Mills and/or Ollie Brown were then nearly in again but the ball was knocked on for yet another missed opportunity. Despite the high number of missed opportunities throughout the game Es had stuck to their task and delivered an impressive win, probably one of the first ever in Bream, a good 5 points earned.

FINAL SCORE: Bream RFC 19 – 49 Old Elizabethans

SCORERS:
Tries: Arthur Mills (2), Kit Douel (2), Fin McCarthy, Ollie Brown, Hamish Watson, Sam Brewer, George Houlden.
Conversions: Fin McCarthy, Kit Douel.

Next week Es are at home vs Bristol Saracens, we are hoping for a large Es support to cheer on the lads once again.

Skippers Man of the Match: Hamish Watson

Spectators Man of the Match: Pat Dore

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul 'Blakey' Barrington

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website