Old Colstonians 1st XV v Old Elizabethans 1st XV
17th February 2024

The 1st XV travelled across to Stapleton to play Old Colstonians RFC to no doubt reignite that local rivalry that exists between these two teams.

1st XV SQUAD: James Brooke, Matt Bailey, Greg Foord, Adam Skyner, Tom Bendall, Henry Kirkpatrick, George Burnie, Jakob Harding, Sam Hygate, Alex Potts, Tobias Burden, Pat Dore, Sam Brewer, Ewan Crowley, Arthur Mills, Jake Perry, Wil Patterson, Henry Oughton

MATCH REPORT:
Having beaten Old Colstonians narrowly at Hallen earlier in the season Es were out to show the opposition that they were certainly a better outfit than that win had suggested. A strong squad took the field where a cross field wind was swirling. The pitch was in perfect condition and the large crowd waited in anticipation. There was much discussion prior to kick off as to how Barton Hill Bob, the referee, would manage the game?

Old Cs knocked on from the kick off and Es were straight on the front foot up the hill. Cs were fielding two massive old-fashioned props and as the President remarked “and we only have Bailey!” Es were awarded a penalty on the 22 and Sam Hygate cooly kicked Es in front (0-3).

Soon after Es’ No 8, Jakob Harding, picked up from the base of the scrum, as he continued to do well throughout the game, and had a good individual attacking run. Unfortunately, at this point skipper George Burnie was forced to leave the field having aggravated an injury to his wrist sustained against Dursley a couple of weeks ago. Despite this disappointment Es took a further lead with another good penalty kick from Sam Hygate (0-6).

At this point President, Phil Cheek predicted a final score of 9-24, so let’s see how accurate he was.*

Old Cs though, were feeling their way back into the game with some strong attacking runs which in the main were being rebuffed by a strong Es’ defence. However, Cs broke through the line and despite a good tackle 5m out they popped up for a try and conversion (7-6).

The Cs’ scrum was certainly causing Es a few headaches but Es were again in the safe hands of Jakob Harding. A good kick through by Arthur Mills put Es in the Cs’ 22 again and was followed by a 5m line out a 5m penalty but Es then knocked on! Sam Hygate then tried a couple of long-range Penalty kicks (missed) with the President suggesting a kick for touch might have been the better option!

Sam Brewer was having a fantastic game and two strong runs in quick succession saw him brought down just before the line but popped up to a supporting Jakob Harding who scored, plus conversion from Sam Hygate (7-13).

Cs were straight back on the attack and an injury to replacement Jake Perry saw him replaced by Henry Oughton.

Half Time Score: (7-13).

Es were looking forward to having the slope to their advantage and from the start of the second half an Es penalty kick saw them back in the Cs’ half almost immediately. A good line out and drive was then passed out to the 3/4s only for a knock on to frustrate that attack. An infringement in the scrum saw Es with a free kick and a good run from Alex Potts and Matt Bailey took Es back into the Cs’ 22 where a further penalty was awarded to Es and again Sam Hygate extended the lead (7-16).

Es then stole a defensive line out and cleared their lines, followed by another Sam Brewer break from an Es’ scrum and he kicked through for Pat Dore to chase however, strangely, the referee awarded Es with a penalty and Sam Hygate didn’t need a second invitation to increase the margin in the scores (7-19).

Another kick through from Pat Dore was stopped on the line – referee decided it was held up. Es certainly had their tails up now and even the scrums were moving in the right direction. Another penalty awarded to Es allowed Sam Hygate to ease Es further ahead with a good kick (7-22).

A good line out from Es saw Brooks and Skyner combine well to gain 15m and when a penalty was quickly taken Cs were adjudged to have not been 10m and the referee rather harshly yellow carded the Cs’ Hooker.

With the lead as it was Es decided it was now safe to push for more tries. A penalty kick and line out with a good drive was followed by another Es penalty but the following 5m line out throw was adjudged to be Not Straight!

The game then entered a really messy final quarter and the referee (same for both teams) was being heavily criticised by Cs’ players and supporters alike and another Yellow card was shown to a second Cs’ player for verbals.

Arthur Mills, Tobias Burden and Ewan Crowley were all testing the Cs’ defence with good runs. Cs’ players seemed to have lost it due to the referee’s decisions which almost seemed to generate a harder defensive effort on their part. Es were also penalised for lip - Fly Half Alex Potts had actually been shouting at his players but the referee took it personally awarding Cs the chance to clear their lines.

Es then scored a great try out to the right but the referee brought it back for a knock on, maybe, it certainly wasn’t clear what was happening but nobody saw any knock on!!! The crowd were loving some of the referee’s decisions that only seemed to incite Cs’ players and supporters. Actually, many said that the players deserved better!

Es continued to push with another great run from Sam Brewer but Cs’ defence was fantastic, otherwise Es would have scored more especially with Cs at 13 men. Sam Hygate put in a great tackle on his opposite scrum half from the scrum pushing him back a good 15m but this was probably the only other highlight in this farcical last 10-minute period and the final whistle was welcomed by everyone.

Maybe not one of the best games to have watched throughout the season but Es certainly did what they needed to with a solid performance that took them above Cs in the league. Next week a trip to bottom of the table Whitehall RFC will be a difficult one as they are in real disarray but you can only play what is in front of you!!

FINAL SCORE: Old Colstonians 7 – 22 Old Elizabethans
* Editors Note: President Phil Cheek's prediction was nearly spot on

Man of the Match: Pat Dore, a solid performance in defence and attack worthy of a vice skipper

Spectators Man of the Match: Sam Brewer - kept asking questions of the Cs’ defence and kept breaking the line with a deft pop up to secure Es only try of the game!

SCORERS:
Tries: Jakob Harding
Conversions: Sam Hygate
Penalties: Sam Hygate (5)

Full Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website