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News > Sports > St Marys Old Boys v OEs 22 Oct 2022

St Marys Old Boys v OEs 22 Oct 2022

A superb game for both players and supporters
24 Oct 2022
Written by Malcolm Davies
Sports

St. Marys Old Boys v Old Elizabethans
22nd October 2022

 

After four recent good victories Es 1st XV were away to face a resurgent St.Marys Old Boys RFC (SMOB). There of course was a lot of discussion pre kick-off about previous games against SMOB. Most old boys couldn't remember Es playing them on a regular basis for many years. So here was a chance to put down a further marker in this league, OEs (5th) vs SMOB (4th)

Some might say this was a top of the table clash! There was an air of excitement on the touchline with a very good Old Boys level of support, including our very own former 1st XV Prop, Scott McKenna, over from New Zealand and here to support Es in person. As Es took to the field, looking to make it Five on the Bounce, there was much discussion about the new found solid front row of Lucas Sadler, Jack Houlder and Tom Brewer.

1st XV SQUAD: Lucas Sadler, Jack Houlder, Tom Brewer, Adam Skyner, Rob Lee, Rhys Edwards, George Burnie, Wil Tobin, Sam Hygate, Matt Carr, Tobias Burden, Alex Potts, Sam Brewer, Pat Dore, Luke Jagger, Matt Bailey, Wil Patterson, Matt Hudson

SMOB kicked off and the first good chance of the game fell to Es when a ball passed down the three quarters finally went astray with only the winger to beat! Es continued brightly with some strong running from centres Sam Brewer and Alex Potts, and were awarded a penalty about 25m out, fairly central and Sam Hygate's boot gave Es an early (0-3) lead.

Then almost as expected SMOB built pressure on Es but the Blue Wall defence stood firm, a good tackle by Rhys Edwards and a good clearance by Matt Carr. But then the SMOB No.14 evaded 5 tackles and a following penalty kick gave them a 5m lineout from which they drove forward and scored a non-converted try (5-3).

Es' tails were up however and a good combined move between Tobias Burden and Luke Jagger took them close before the ball was spread wide in the opposite direction and a deft kick through by Pat Dore was well followed and his reward was a try converted by Sam Hygate (5-10).

SMOB were however giving as good as they got and it was a fairly even contest at this point. Pat Dore could have repeated his try scoring but the ball went dead and Es brought back for a Penalty Kick which Es missed. SMOB tried to clear their lines but as Es responded Luke Jagger chipped through with the outside of his right boot and as if to emulate Pat Dore's try, Luke followed up by rounding the winger and going over for a well-deserved try, conversion missed (5-15).

The Referee had spoken to the SMOB team prior to the conversion kick and warned them about their back-chat and so the resultant kick off was reversed and given to Es. SMOB discipline didn't improve and they were marched back 10m for verbals and then shown a Yellow Card. Es were awarded a penalty and chose to kick, which once again Sam Hygate slotted between the uprights (5-18) , keeping the score board ticking over.

Once again the Referee reversed the kick off for further SMOB verbals! To finish off the first half more silky skills from Pat Dore as another kick through from him was collected and he went over for his second try and Es fourth and bonus try - not converted.

HALF TIME SCORE (5-23).

There was a calamitous start to the second half for Es as a SMOB attack broke through and their winger was clear through to score but for some unknown reason he passed the ball, it went to ground, Matt Carr scooped up but his clearance kick was totally missed as he fell to the ground giving SMOB the opportunity to capitalise as they passed the ball wide to their left winger who scored a good try, not converted (10-23).

Once again Es attacked from the restart after recovering the kick off. What followed shortly after was also the topic of long conversations - “When had Es last scored from a lineout and subsequent driving maul?” well a 5m lineout was well taken from Jack Houlder's throw and the forwards gathered well to move the maul forward at pace and SMOB didn't have an answer and from the back of the maul rose the hero of the moment scoring his first try for the club, Hooker Jack Houlder - not converted (10-28).

Es now needed to put some clear air between themselves and SMOB, a good crossfield kick was uncharacteristically dropped by Pat Dore. Es rung the changes to bring on fresh legs with Matt Bailey, Wil Paterson and Matt Hudson keen to make their individual mark on the game. Almost immediately the Es' scrum took one against the head with a good surge of power and some good play by Alex Potts set up an attack from which Pat Dore scored his third try of the game, duly converted by Sam Hygate (10-35).

SMOB however were determined not to roll over and almost immediately brought the score back to (17-35) with a quick move from a 5m penalty. From the touchline, sound reassuring words could be heard from former skipper Alex Potts, however almost immediately a rejuvenated SMOB again breached the Es' defence but some good tackling and Es were once again back in possession and once again the reliable kicking of Sam Hygate lifted the pressure!

The ping pong scoring was to continue as Wil Patterson stormed through on the right wing leaving the SMOB defenders for dead, a good solo try with Sam Hygate conversion taking the score to (17-42).

SMOB heads were still up and Es defence was having to work hard with some good clearance kicks from Matt Carr. Adam Skyner stole a SMOB lineout but they won it back! Things were then to get nail bitingly tense as the following happened, (i) Patterson given a Yellow card, (ii) Rob Lee took one for the team but was Yellow Carded, Es hadn't learnt the lessons that SMOB suffered in the first half - not to argue with the Ref - Es down to 13 men! (iii) SMOB score a converted try (24-42) (iv) SMOB took advantage and despite Es desperate tackling couldn't prevent another SMOB unconverted try (29-42).

SMOB were now within two converted tries with at least ten minutes still on the clock! After a great tackle from Lucas Sadler calm was restored when Es were awarded a 30 metre penalty and as silence descended Sam Hygate saw his kick awarded with two raised Linesmen's arms.(29-45).

It was at this point SMOBs' heads dropped, their restart kick didn't go ten metres and Es settled themselves back down, Matt Carr's kicking and Sam Hygate's Box Kicking had been a strength of the afternoon. The Es' back-row of George Burnie, Wil Tobin and Rhys Edwards working hard all afternoon. SMOB drove Es back on their scrum ball but Patterson pounced and secured a turnover ball and that's how it all ended

A really good entertaining match to watch where Es had worked hard all across the field and brimming with confidence took the winning run to FIVE on the Bounce! Es now up to 4th in the league. Drybrook ll XV having beaten Frampton Cotterell this weekend will be visiting Fortress Hallen next Saturday 29th October. A match not to be missed.

FINAL SCORE: St Marys Old Boys 29 – 45 Old Elizabethans

SCORERS:
Tries: Pat Dore (3), Luke Jagger, Jack Houlder, Wil Patterson,
Conversions: Sam Hygate (3)
Penalties: Sam Hygate (3)

Official and Spectators Man of the Match: Pat Dore

Full Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul “Blakey” Barrington

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website

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