Old Elizabethans v Old Colstonians 4th November2023

An eagerly awaited double header at Fortress Hallen with the Thundercats (OEs 2nd XV) taking on Old Colstonians 2nd XV and OEs 1st XV facing Old Colstonians 1st XV. A sunny autumnal day and glorious sunshine greeted the players and spectators. The pitch looking splendid, having been freshly mowed and surprisingly not waterlogged after so much rain.

The Thundercats match kicked off at 1:30pm and sadly lost to OCs 2nds 0-19. However, despite the final scoreline, it was a very even match, contested by 2 sides in the true spirit of the game

And so to the OEs 1st XV v Old Colstonians 1st XV match

The start of the season saw 3 consecutive wins for OEs, but the next 4 were lost, the last 3 with a cumulative points difference of 5. So, the arrival of Old Colstonians to the Fortress was much anticipated.

1st XV SQUAD: 1.Kallan Martin, 2. Jack Houlder, 3. Tom Brewer, 4. Ben Charlton, 5. Adam Skyner, 6. George Burnie©, 7. Fred Again, 8. Will Tobin, 9. Sam Hygate, 10. Will Woppleton, 11. Stephen Terrera, 12. Alex Lee, 13. Sam Brewer, 14. Luke Jagger, 15. Matty Carr, 16. Tom Cole, 17. Jakob Harding, 18. Tom Bendall.

MATCH REPORT:
OEs got off to a bright start only to immediately fall fowl of the referee with constant infringements and then trying to run from behind their own posts instead of kicking a clean exit. The penalty was within range of the OCs number 10. (0-3).

From the restart, Will Woppleton took a heavy knock, forcing him to leave the field. A hasty reshuffle saw Matty Carr go to fly half, Stephen Terrera to full back and Tim Cole come on to the wing.

OEs then began to produce quick ball with Sam Brewer, Alex Lee and Stephen Terrera combining well, forcing OCs to go over the top at the resulting breakdown. A kick to the corner had OEs 5 metres out, but the lineout was lost, and OCs were able to clear up field. Neither side had grasped how quickly the referee was penalising for holding on and it was now OEs turn. OCs kicked to the corner, but like OEs had just done at the other end, lose their own lineout. However, the clearance failed to find touch and the counter from OCs resulted in them going over (not converted). (0-8).

The end-to-end play did not stop, with OEs now showing some real purpose, aided by Terrera popping up on both wings. OCs were penalised (midfield) for a high tackle. A kick to the corner saw OEs claim their own lineout to catch and drive and Tom Brewer (we think) was over, not converted. (5-8).

Both sides then exchanged more penalties for holding on before OCs chipped over the home sides backline, which was fielded by Terrera, but followed up in numbers to bundle over the try line for an attacking 5 metre scrum. From a clean scrummage, OCs were over for a converted try, on the half time whistle.

Half Time score (5-15)

Changes at half time saw Jakob Harding on for Will Tobin and Tom Bendall on for Kallum Martin.

OEs kicked off the second half, but a clash of heads, trying to reclaim the ball, saw skipper George Burnie leave the field with a large cut to his forehead – re-enter Will Tobin.

A scrum to OCs, which they ran wide, brought a trademark turnover from Tobin (his extra 2 minutes at half time, being key) saw a clever chip over the top from Sam Brewer, gathered by Tom Bendall to go over under the posts. Sam Hygate adding the extras. (12-15)

OEs’ tails were now up and they were making use of the refs consistency about holding on, forcing penalties. A kick for touch and then winning clean lineout ball, followed by a well-timed pass saw Sam Brewer burst through the middle, only to be pulled down, metres short of the line. Terrera was on hand to receive the offload and scored out wide. Not converted. (17-15)

With only 10 minutes to go, OEs were now in the lead, but with the last 3 results in mind, and against a spirited OCs, the home spectators had everything crossed.

The lineouts then became the burden of both teams. First, OCs lineout was deemed not straight, giving OEs a scrum and a kick to clear. OCs win their lineout but are then penalised for holding on to prevent the tacklers. Stand in skipper, Jack Houlder, called Sam Hygate forward for a shot at goal. Sam duly obliged. (20-15)

If the last 10 minutes had spectators nervous, Mr Jagger (snr) had now opted to take the dog for a walk, unable to bear the tension.

OCs gathered their own restart spinning the ball wide and racing towards the line. Hauled into touch just short, OEs were awarded a lineout 5 meters from their own line, which was lost for not being straight! OCs peeled from the resulting scrum, but were penalised for holding on, allowing OEs to clear their lines. OCs won their own lineout and countered but conceded a forward pass on their own 10 meters. Scrum to OEs. OCs’ number 9, tried to hamper Sam Hygate, but was deemed too eager, giving away a penalty and a chance for Sam to kick at goal. (23-15)

That was the last play and to the relief of home players and spectators, alike, the final whistle was blown. A well-deserved win against a good outfit, digging deep to come from behind.

Next week: St Marys OB visit the Fortress.

FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 23 – 15 Old Colstonians

SCORERS:
Tries: Tom Brewer, Tom Bendall, Stephen Terrera
Conversions: Sam Hygate
Penalties: Sam Hygate (2)

Full Table and Fixture List below

Report by: David Morgan

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