Old Elizabethans v South Molton RFC
20th April 2024

Having progressed in the Papa John’s South Plate competition following a good win away to Wells RFC last week, OEs welcomed South Molton RFC for this Round 2 match at Hallen.

1st XV SQUAD: Greg Foord, Henry Oughton, Jack Houlder, Adam Skyner, Tom Bendall, Ben Charlton, Will Tobin, Benji Wagstaffe, Sam Hygate, Wil Patterson, Alex Lee, Pat Dore, Sam Brewer, Tobias Burden, Arthur Mills, Kallan Martin, Dougal Broom, Tom Cole, Ned Sweeney, Dom Swann.

MATCH REPORT:
A beautiful sunny day but with a slightly chilly breeze, welcomed a South Molton Rugby team to Hallen and during the warm up they certainly looked the part but would this carry through to the actual 80 minutes?? The early pressure indeed came from South Molton and then we entered a short period of football the ball being sent from one end to the other and back again but it was Es that had the early chance to go ahead with a penalty kick. But unlike Sam Hygate he shaded the post but ultimately missed.

Es started to take control with a succession of attacks and a good move and a pass back inside to Ben Charlton saw him score a well worked try from his starting position of back-row a position he looked really comfortable in. Sam Hygate put his earlier miss behind him and slotted the extra two points (7-0).

Ben Charlton’s starring role at back row was just as well as we then saw Benji Wagstaffe taken out by a cynical high tackle when at the same time he twisted his ankle and had to leave the field of play, a real star for the future we wish Benji well and a speedy recovery. Amazingly the referee chose not to punish the South Molton player despite the linesman giving him his view.

Es extended their lead soon after with a good run by Will Tobin back in the 1st XV back row after injury. The ball was shipped out to Will Paterson starting at No.10 who scored with Sam Hygate securing the extras (14-0).

South Molton had a chance to get on the score board but their penalty kick went well wide. South Molton kept knocking at the door though, but Es superb blue wall stood firm with some crunching tackles and from a quick penalty Patty broke free and slipped the ball to supporting Sam Brewer who scored with Sam Hygate converting (21-0).

From a scrum Sam Brewer looked to have broken free again but the referee brought play back for an infringement at the scrum. Sam Brewer then completed a good turnover and Es cleared their lines. A good run from Tobias Burden put Es in a good position, Ben Charlton then hauled down just before the try line but popped the ball to Alex CS who went over for the try, again Sam Hygate kicking well to convert (28-0).

From the restart Ben Charlton broke free and Es scored but play brought back for a knock forward called by the linesman! Adam Skyner and Jack Houlder off injured, Kallan Martin and Dougal Broom on. A great sweeping move from Es’ three quarters involving Arthur Mills, Sam Brewer, Pat Dore, and Tobin who scored a good Es try - once again Sam Hygate slotting the ball between the uprights.

Half Time score (35-0).

South Molton started the second half as if they meant business but it was Es that were to extend their lead with a good move involving Henry Oughton popping up to Sam Brewer for his 2nd try of the day and again Sam H securing the conversion points (42-0).

Es defence again stood firm as South Molton kept trying. Tobias Burden off and Tom Cole on. Es extended their lead when skipper Pat Dore lost his man with an outrageous step back inside to score and Sam H reliably adding the 2 points (49-0).

Dom Swann rolling back the years was then on and very soon entertained the crowd with a flipped pass behind his back whilst facing the wrong way, incredible skills and the ball didn’t go forwards! South Molton were still playing for the badge and despite a good tackle from Kallan Martin and good Es defence on the line a South Molton player leapt over the top of the ruck to score a deserved try and conversion (49-7).

Es' defence continued to work hard as South Molton's belief was growing, a good tackle from Dougal Broom and a steal by Sam Brewer preceded a Yellow Card being shown to Will Tobin for coming round offside and so Dom Swann filled in at No.8 at the scrum, but despite all this South Molton scored a second unconverted try (49-12).

This led to a good reaction from Es and a good try from Arthur Mills and guess what a conversion from Sam Hygate (56-12).

Es again added to their lead following a steal by Sam Brewer, to Tobias Burden a kick forward from Dom Swann resulting in another try for Arthur Mills, and wow another two points from Sam Hygate (63-12).

South Molton had the better of the last ten minutes scoring two converted tries, but the day was done and a great victory by Es really putting South Molton to the sword. A real pleasure to watch, well done lads!

FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 63 – 26 South Molton

Man of the Match:: Ben Charlton, a great game from Back row - a constant threat to the South Molton defence.

SCORERS:
Tries: Ben Charlton, Will Paterson, Sam Brewer (2), Alex CS, Will Tobin, Pat Dore, Arthur Mills (2).
Conversions: Sam Hygate (9)

OEs are on tour in Galway next Saturday so won’t be able to play the Quarter Final against Bristol Saracens and will be out of the competition unless Saracens consent to play on Wednesday or Thursday evening. So watch this space!

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

Editor's note: Bristol Saracens have refused to play midweek so OEs have no option but to forfeit the match and the competition

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