Old Colstonians v Old Elizabethans
24th April 2024

Following the elation of the convincing 2nd Round Papa John’s Plate win over South Molton, Es were looking forward to The Butcombe Combination Vase Semi-Final vs Old Colstonians on Wednesday evening, April 24th, to be played at Dings RFC - 8pm kick off.

1st XV SQUAD: Greg Foord, Fergus Blyth, Tom Brewer, Kallan Martin, Tom Bendall, Ben Charlton, Henry Oughton, Will Tobin, Sam Hygate, Alex Potts, Alex CS, Wil Patterson, Sam Brewer, Arthur Mills, Matt Carr, James Brooke, Tom Dunbavin, Tom Cole, Tobias Burden, Dom Swann, George Burnie

MATCH REPORT:
A big crowd for a Semi-Final greeted both teams, thanks to all the support given to Es. Old Cs came out of the blocks a lot faster than Es illustrated by a huge hit on Matt Carr within minutes of the start, and Es were pinned back and Cs broke the Es’ defensive line all to easily and rounded the 15 to score an unconverted try (5-0).

Matt Carr was then replaced by Tobias Burden. The first of many good steals by Will Tobin then saw Es with a penalty on the Cs’ 10m line and with confidence Sam Hygate put Es on the scoreboard (5-3).

Soon after Es showed even more promise with another steal by Tobin and then a good break by Sam Brewer who popped the ball to Will Patterson who was unceremoniously tackled round the neck, but the referee chose to take no action, maybe because Will was able to offload to Ben Charlton who scored a good try which Sam Hygate converted (5-10).

Cs were not behind for long as they again broke the Es’ defensive line, the blue wall being breached once again, giving Cs a second try and conversion (12-10).

Es were working hard and the scrum and line-out providing good ball but Cs’ defence was solid, as good as the Es’ defence in the last couple of weeks. Roll reversal! Following a period of toing and froing Cs again broke through to score another try and conversion (19-10).

A great break involving Alex CS then saw Sam Brewer injured limping off with a sore ankle replaced by Tom Cole. Es were awarded a 5m scrum and broke ending up with a well deserved try for Tom Bendall + conversion from Sam (19-17).

The first half ended with Es desperately defending their line once again, with Cs certainly playing the better rugby at this point.

Half Time score (OCs 19-17 OEs).

Fergus Blyth made a good start to the 2nd half but Cs continued to tackle very well, stopping Es in their tracks and to top it Cs were capitalising on Es’ mistakes. What looked like another score for Cs was adjudged by the referee to have been held up. Cs were then awarded a 5m scrum for some unknown reason and Cs went on to score a further try and conversion (26-17).

Es were saved from a further Cs’ score with a try saving tackle by Wil Patterson (Patty), followed by a great clearance kick by Sam Hygate and followed up well. Es attacked through Alex CS and Patty into the left-hand corner and Es stole a Cs line-out ball to keep up the pressure. James Brooke on.

Despite Es mounting some attacking rugby Old Cs continued to play with more intensity when in possession and it was their ability to break the Es’ defence passing the ball out of the tackle to support running on hard that was undoing Es’ defence. A tackle 2m out Cs popped the ball up to oncoming support which led to another Cs’ try and Conversion (33-17).

It was then a great moment for Es to see their Skipper, George Burnie back from injury entering the field of play. Cs were awarded a penalty which they chose to kick but the ball bounced back off the post and Es cleared their lines. But Es continued not to ask the same questions as Cs and Es failed to use the width of the pitch to their advantage, however Es started a fight back with a try and conversion from Sam Hygate (33-24).

A quick penalty involving Patty and Pottsy led to a kickable penalty and the crowd urged Es to take the 3 points to put them within one score, however Es chose to kick for the corner and despite Cs being given a Yellow Card they survived for a moment but then Es mounted another attack and scored a well worked try through Tobias Burden and conversion from Sam Hygate (33-31),

However time had run out and the final whistle signalled Es sadly being put out of the Combination Vase to add to the disappointment of having to waive through Bristol Saracens in the Papa John’s Plate. Nevertheless, it’s been a great season and a well-deserved 4th place in the league to look back on. Full season roundup below.

FINAL SCORE: Old Colstonians 33 – 31 Old Elizabethans

Spectators Man of the Match: Tobias Burden

SCORERS:
Tries: Ben Charlton, Tom Bendall, Sam Hygate, Tobias Burden
Conversions: Sam Hygate (4)
Penalties: Sam Hygate

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website