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| 11 Apr 2023 | |
| Written by Malcolm Davies | |
| Sports |
A warm spring day and a healthy crowd welcomed Old Es back to Fortress Hallen but unfortunately it was Saracens who had a greater spring in their step for the majority of the game. The larger Saracens pack consistently punched holes in the home team's defence and this set the tone for much of the game.
1st XV SQUAD: Greg Foord, Matthew Bailey, Jack Houlder, Dom Horn, Adam Skyner, Henry Kirkpatrick, Rhys Edwards, Rob Lee, Sam Hygate, Monty Nash, Charlie Garrett, Alex Potts, Pat Dore, Joe Brock, George Evans, James Brooke, Angus Salisbury, Wil Patterson ©
MATCH REPORT: The first 20 minutes or so were fairly even with Adam Skyner prominent in the loose and Rhys Edwards providing decent lineout ball. Unfortunately, the handling and precision of the backs wasn't as accurate as usual as we struggled for rhythm. A try saving tackle from George Evans should have served as a warning but from the next attack Saracens moved the ball wide allowing their wing to canter in for a try which was converted (0-7).
OEs struck back with Dom Horn and Henry Kirkpatrick exchanging passes before feeding Joe Brock who was tackled tantalisingly short of the line. Moments later, Saracens fluffed a kicked clearance which was caught by Brock who fed Pat Dore on the outside for our first points of the game. The touchline conversion rebounded back off the crossbar (5-7).
The home crowd were incensed when a high shot on Skyner resulted in him being forced off the field and replaced by Jacob Harding. The referee didn't even penalise the perpetrator.
The larger Saracens pack were now taking more control with the home side's scrum and lineout beginning to come under pressure. This eventually told and the line was subsequently breached (5-12).
Just before half-time a Saracens player was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on (the third time the same offence had been committed).
Half-time (5 – 12).
James Brooke came on for Greg Ford but lasted less than 10 minutes before retiring with a shoulder / arm injury. The latter (our latest social media superstar) returned to the fray. Monty Nash kicked a penalty to reduce the arrears (8-12).
This was as close as the scores would be for the rest of the game. A lost scrum followed by some slick handling and a couple of missed tackles saw Saracens cross the line again (8-19).
A little frustration was now creeping in and we were penalised for back chat - the resulting penalty attempt was missed. Shortly after, a smart training ground move involving a lovely loop resulted in yet another score for Saracens (8-26).
OEs were now living off scraps - a malfunctioning lineout and a retreating scrum. The effort and commitment were there in abundance but it seemed to be one of those days when very little clicked. The impressive Joe Brock clawed a try back (13-26)
Saracens rounded the game off with another try with the last play of the match (13-31).
It was a frustrating game for the home fans but qualification is still a possibility subject to a win in Yatton on Saturday.
FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 13 – 31 Bristol Saracens
SCORERS:
Tries: Pat Dore, Joe Brock,
Penalties: Monty Nash
Man of the Match:: Dom Horn
Report by: Barrie Darby
