Old Elizabethans 1st XV v Bristol Saracens
and
North Bristol II v Thundercats
13th January 2024

Before the 1st XV game kicked-off 30+ old OE players gathered at the clubhouse for a pre-match lunch, with Chairman Dom Swann providing an update on the planned clubhouse extension. One very important point was mentioned concerning fund raising and if you were thinking of donating just hold off for another week or so until we raise this point again as this will potentially give us some extra funding during a set period where money raised will be doubled.

North Bristol II v Thundercats
It is really pleasing to be able to report that ‘The Cats’ had an impressive game running out 7-38 winners at North Bristol. It is also great to report that after a long layoff with injury, Wil Patterson is back in the fold playing his comeback game for the Thundercats!

Old Elizabethans 1st XV v Bristol Saracens
This fixture was to be adjudicated by a very young female referee who did an excellent job throughout, ably assisted by our very own linesman Frank ‘the Tank’ Arber!

1st XV SQUAD: Kallan Martin, Henry Oughton, James Brooke, Tom Bendall, Adam Skyner, Fred Thefaut, Will Tobin, Sam Hygate, Matt Carr, Tom Cole, Alex Lee, Pat Dore, Tobias Burden, Arthur Mills, Jack Houlder, Jakob Harding, Sam Brewer

MATCH REPORT:
Saracens probably started the brighter of the two teams and applied the early pressure probably having the best of the first quarter of the game. Es though, were gradually easing their way into the game and were rewarded with a 30-metre penalty kick which scrum half Sam Hygate cooly slotted home (3-0).

This was however cancelled out on the 29 minute mark when Saracens also successfully kicked a penalty (3-3).

There was indeed very little to separate the two teams at this point. Es had a slight setback when Adam Skyner was forced to leave the pitch with a bad back and was replaced by Dougal Broom, and a little bit later James Brooke was off and was replaced by Jack Houlder. Not a lot else to report from the first half other than right on half time Es took the lead again through a 22m penalty kick from Sam Hygate.

Half Time score (6-3)

The second half saw the introduction of centre Sam Brewer and it was not long before he made one of his famous runs breaking through the Saracens defence. Es were looking even stronger and again managed to increase the lead further through another Sam Hygate penalty kick in front the posts (9-3).

Bristol Saracens then enjoyed a period of good possession and territory advantage but this was matched by the stubborn Es’ defence which held out, however Es looked as if they may come unstuck when Fred Thefaut was Yellow carded for a high tackle. Despite this Es continued to defend well and kept Saracens at bay and then another game winning break out of defence by Sam Brewer followed by Will Tobin took it on from there, reaching the Saracens 22. A scrum 15m out and Es continued their attack out on the right-hand side and as if to relieve the tension of all the old players gathered the youngest player on the pitch Fred Thefaut went over for a try, duly converted by Sam Hygate (16-3).

Will Tobin went off but Sam Brewer continued to make the difference between the two teams. Es finished the game the stronger of the teams and were once again rewarded with a second try from Fred Thefaut and Sam Hygate conversion (23-3).

Maybe not the prettiest of games but sometimes it is all about grinding out a result and that is certainly what Es did here, earning themselves 4 points and taking themselves above Saracens into 5th place in the league. Next Saturday the 1st XV entertain Dings Crusaders II XV at home in a rearranged match which will be a hell of a challenge for the lads - C’mon Es!

FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 23 – 3 Bristol Saracens

SCORERS:
Tries: Fred Thefaut (2)
Conversions: Sam Hygate (2)
Penalties: Sam Hygate (3)

Full Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

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