North Bristol v Old Elizabethans 1st XV
27th January 2024

After last week’s excellent effort against a very strong Dings II team the Es 1st XV needed to dust off their boots and prepare for a tricky fixture away against North Bristol RFC, a team sitting 11th in the league but nevertheless a team who Es lost to earlier in the season with the last kick of the match, and it is true that ‘Revenge is Sweet’ but would that happen - read on!

1st XV SQUAD: Tom Brewer, Jack Houlder, Kallan Martin, Tom Bendall, Adam Skyner, Dougal Broom, George Burnie, Jakob Harding, Sam Hygate, Matt Carr, Charlie Garrett, Alex Potts, Pat Dore, Kit Douel, Tobias Burden, Matt Bailey, Tom Dunbavin, Wil Patterson

MATCH REPORT:
On a dry springlike day but with a bitterly cold wind blowing cross field, Es had travelled the short distance to North Bristol RFC for the return league fixture on their 4G pitch, which should pose no issue for Es as this is where they train every Tuesday evening!

Es, in fact, took the lead within the first few minutes when awarded a penalty and the assured boot of Sam Hygate gave Es the points (0-3).

Es' scrum looked a little shaky to begin with and at a couple of points throughout the game but otherwise stood firm and with once again the safe hands of Jakob Harding at No.8 Es enjoyed a lot of set play from scrum ball but Es also kept the line out working well throughout with jumpers, George Burnie, Dougal Broom, Tom Bendall etc. securing further good possession.

Es enjoyed good early possession although this was very much shared 50/50 with North Bristol with a lot of penalties being swapped. An excellent jinking run from Sam Hygate ended with him being hauled down through a high tackle and the North Bristol scrum half was yellow carded. Es quickly took advantage and through a good line out and driving attack Dougal Broom scored a deserved try with Sam Hygate adding the extras (0-10).

Adam Skyner back in the starting line-up took the ball from the restart and fended off a couple of defenders before slipping the ball to skipper George Burnie and through a recycled ball Es' winger Kit Douel chipped through and followed up with a good touch down - TRY! And again, Sam Hygate converted (0-17).

North Bristol then enjoyed one of their better spells of the match and their pressure told with an unconverted try in the left corner, strangely Dougal Broom was then Yellow Carded for Es!!! (5-17).

Further North Bristol pressure was repelled with skipper George Burnie leading by example. Jack Houlder’s recurring groin injury then caused him to leave the field being replaced by Matt Bailey. Another good move from the base of the scrum saw Jakob Harding off on another ranging run. This together with crash ball runs from Alex Potts kept North Bristol at bay. The only other action in the first half saw the half end with Sam Hygate slotting over another penalty kick a sensible decision to kick just before half time to keep the scoreboard turning.

Half Time Score (5-20).

Tom Dunbavin took the field. The restart kick from North Bristol failed to go 10m and Es took the scrum back on the half way line but as already stated Es' scrum unusually folded under pressure. North Bristol looked like they had received a stern talking to at half time and had started the 2nd half with renewed vigour but Es’ defence (The Blue Wall) stood up to it with good tackles from Tom Dunbavin and Pat Dore and clearance kicks from the likes of Matt Carr and Sam Hygate relieved the pressure. Wil Patterson on!

Es then found themselves back down to 14 men when a deliberate (try saving) knock forward from Alex Potts saw him receive a yellow card. At this point North Bristol were having the best of the second half but then a good break by Es involving Pat Dore, Jakob Harding and George Burnie took them back into the oppositions 22. A good recycled ball then saw fly-half Matt Carr hit a cross field kick from right to left which was gathered well by Kit Douel who went over for his second try of the day, not converted (5-25).

Es continued to threaten and a good run from Kallan Martin ended with the North Bristol No.8 being yellow carded. It certainly seemed that now Es had got their mojo back. Es were continuing to push for the 4th bonus point try but were being frustrated by some good North Bristol defence but when they tried to break out of defence vice-skipper Pat Dore was there to stop them.

However, North Bristol did put together a good move but Kit Douel was there to save the day. Es' defence stood firm against the pick and go being deployed. Another good pick up from Jakob Harding saw Es move away from their 5m line up to the 22 and then to half way which relieved the pressure temporarily but North Bristol were not down hearted and kept plugging away.

A North Bristol line out 10m out from the Es' line was stolen by Tom Dunbavin and eventually Es again broke free through a great break by Alex Potts. Es worked their way back into the oppositions 22 and following a scrum Wil Patterson broke to the blindside and popped up to Jakob Harding for that all important try not converted (5-30) and that’s how the game played out.

Maybe not one of the better spectator spectacles for Es’ supporters but sometimes a good gritty win such as this is what is needed.

Attention now switches to a home clash next Saturday 3rd Feb when Es will be looking to further seek revenge against Dursley RFC, come and join us and cheer on the lads - C’Mon Es!

FINAL SCORE: North Bristol 5 – 30 Old Elizabethans

Man of the Match: Alex Potts, stood firm throughout the game alongside his Centre partner Alex Lee and kept testing the North Bristol defence putting Es on the front foot many times.

Spectators Man of the Match: Not to take anything away from Alex Potts but this was awarded to Kit Douel who looked lively throughout the game and could quite easily have added to his brace of tries but a good all round performance.

SCORERS:
Tries: Dougal Broom, Kit Douel (2), Jakob Harding,
Conversions: Sam Hygate(2)
Penalties: Sam Hygate (2)

Full Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

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