Bream v Old Elizabethans 1st XV
6th January 2024

The pitch at Bream looked in remarkably good condition considering all the rain we’ve had recently, albeit a little soggy in a few places which may have made heavy going for the players to some extent.
The match was adjudicated by a very young Referee from Tewkesbury, which was good to see and he performed well despite a second half where he penalised Es out of the game, maybe Es fault but there appeared to be some decision making based on the 15 Bream players and 50+ Bream supporters screaming in his ear on numerous occasions! (Sorry Doug just how we saw it!).

1st XV SQUAD: Tom Brewer, Henry Oughton, James Brooke, Tom Bendall, Adam Skyner, Ben Charlton, Luke Jagger, Will Tobin, Sam Hygate, Matt Carr, Pat Dore, Alex Lee, Sam Brewer, Tobias Burden, Arthur Mills, Kallan Martin, Matt Bailey, Charlie Garrett

MATCH REPORT:
Es started the stronger of the two teams and settled into the game well in the line outs and scrums, stealing the first line out against the head! Early Es’ pressure saw Adam Skyner tearing through the middle of the Bream defence and producing a great low level offload after which a penalty awarded to Es saw Sam Hygate put Es into an early lead with a successful penalty kick (0-3).

Will Tobin was getting stuck in with a number of good turnovers on the ground which helped as Es continued to attack. An early cross field kick from Sam Brewer just eluded skipper Pat Dore out on the right wing. The Referee brought play back for an Es’ penalty which was kicked into touch for a 5m line out and from the following drive to the line hooker Henry Oughton went over for a well-deserved try. A great touchline conversion kick from Sam Hygate saw Es move a further 2 points ahead (0-10).

Many of the Es’ attacks, came through either Sam Brewer or Will Tobin, and eventually the Es were rewarded with a try right on the furthest point of the right hand try line, Pat Dore squeezing the all-important try but not converted (0-15).

After the 30-minute point Bream started to give Es something to think about, and it might have been a try for Bream, had it not been quick thinking by Will Tobin who wrapped up the Bream attacker and held the ball up!

Bream continued to attack however, but the Es’ defence held out until half time, a half which had been thoroughly entertaining and in which Es had been largely the dominant side, a really good performance.

Half Time Score (0-15)

Kallan Martin was brought on at Prop with James Brooke slipping into Hooker. Once again, straight from the kick off, we saw a great attacking move from Adam Skyner. Eventually though the first of many penalties was conceded for crossing, then second for a high tackle saw Es come under extreme pressure and it was almost inevitable that the intensity of Bream’s attacks saw them score under the posts, duly converted (7-15).

The continued pressure and penalties conceded and a further score for Bream was inevitable. Matt Bailey on! Es’ set play was still working well with Tobin picking up at No.8 and good runs from Sam Brewer and clearance kicks from Matty Carr, Es held out for a while longer, but then Es were down to 14 men with Adam Skyner yellow carded. Bream dropped the ball over the line from what seemed like a certain score but within minutes despite good ‘D‘ from Es, a good tackle from Charlie Garrett to name but one, Bream attacked in waves and went over in the corner for a converted try (14-15).

Bream’s tails were up now and they could smell victory and further waves of attacks eventually took their toll and for the first time in the match Bream took the lead when their No.5 burst through the defence under the posts for another converted try (21-15).

The inevitable seemed to have happened but could Es’ hold out for a losing bonus point? At one point it seemed that they would do more than that with an overlap out on the right wing a forward pass brought the end to a promising move from Es. This short-lived revival be Es ended when once again Bream attacked in endless pressure and waves and scored a further unconverted try despite continued good defence from Es (26-15).

The stuffing had been knocked out of Es by a relentless Bream in the second half and understandably Es’ players and supporters were somewhat disappointed despite what had been an excellent effort to try and topple the top of the league team. It will be interesting to see Bream and Dings battle it out for top spot between now and the end of the season and with Es having two games to play against Dings II maybe Es would have a say in it yet.

In the meantime, attention turns to next week’s challenge at home to Bristol Saracens RFC when 30+ Old Boys will be in attendance to cheer on the team. C’mon Es!

FINAL SCORE: Bream 26 – 15 Old Elizabethans

SCORERS:
Tries: Henry Oughton, Pat Dore
Conversions: Sam Hygate
Penalties: Sam Hygate

Full Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website