Old Elizabethans v Bristol Saracens
12th October 2024

The Es’ injury list, which seemed to have increased game by game so early in the season, has now improved to some extent, with many having now recovered and returned to playing, with others like Sam Brewer just a few weeks away from a return, and this will I’m sure be reflected in the squad(s) availabilities in the coming weeks, which is obviously good news. In the meantime it allows many the chance to represent the Club at 1st team level. Despite this Tobias Burden suffered an injury in the pre-match warm up!

A sunny but chilly day welcomed Bristol Saracens RFC to Fortress Hallen. Pre-match highlights for Es was the selection of Lucas Sadler in the Back Row at No.8 (could this be his future), the 1st XV debut for Tom Scott-Dempster, and a welcome back to Tom Brewer, well done to the three of you.

Bristol Saracens have often been a bogey team for Es but they too had not had a great start to the season so this would be a good opportunity for both teams to improve their standing.

1st XV SQUAD: Greg Foord, Jack Houlder, Tom Brewer, Adam Skyner, Tom Bendall, Tobias Burden, George Burnie (Capt), Lucas Sadler, Tom Cole, Monty Nash, Finn Holden, Alex Lee, Scott Tomlins, Rhys Sweet, Alex Copinger-Symes, Matt Bailey, Toby Wilcox, Tom Scott-Dempster.

MATCH REPORT:
Es kicked off facing away from the clubhouse and had a reasonably bright start with Lucas Sadler showing good potential with his Pick Ups at No.8. The first score however went to Saracens with a try after 14 minutes, not converted (0-5).

Es seemed to be struggling with their commitment to important tackles and very soon afterwards Saracens ran in their second converted try like a knife through butter! (0-12).

There was nothing to report before Saracens skinned the Es’ backs running in a further third try, duly converted (0-19).

The touchline support wondered whether this could become a cricket score! Es then suffered further with an innocuous Yellow Card shown to scrum half Tom Cole. A winning scrum to Saracens 5m out saw them spread the ball wide rounding the Es defence with ease for a fourth try/converted to give them a (0-26) lead.

Es were then somewhat flattered as Monty Nash plucked an interception out of the air and ran in for an unchallenged try which he then converted (7-26).

Teams are apparently at their weakest straight after scoring and Saracens proved this to be correct running in another converted try almost immediately from the restart (7-33).

Es started to try and force the game, passing from tackles but finding the ball going astray or ending up in Saracens hands, and two penalty kicks to Es not making touch added to the first half disappointment. There was little cohesion in the backs to speak of, with more and more missed tackles so Half Time couldn’t come soon enough, a chance for Es to regroup. A Saracens player being shown a Yellow Card just before half time was the only other bright point for Es!

Half Time score (OEs 7-33 Bristol Saracens).

Tom Cole returned from his 10 minute Yellow Card and Tom Scott-Dempster took to the field for his debut!

Would we see a game of two halves? Es certainly needed to improve and so it was very welcome when 2nd Row Tom Bendall went over for a try after some good Es’ forward play. Monty Nash adding the extras (14-33).

A good break from skipper George Burnie from the restart and the Es’ supporters started wondering whether a comeback was possible. Toby Wilcox came on at Tight Head prop for a really good shift with a good number of attacking runs with the ball. Despite that the Es’ scrum was still suffering in the tight but Lucas Sadler did a great job picking up and putting Es on the front foot.

A good Es’ drive from a lineout saw the ball held up as Es went over for a score. A good forwards move involving Toby, Tom, Toby, Jack and Toby again ended with a dropped pass again a frustration as Es attempted to put pressure on Saracens.

The game became a bit messy for both teams with missed opportunities to score, but then Es had another good catch and drive from the lineout and Matt Bailey went over to score his 50th try for the Club and with the conversion from Monty Nash the score improved to (21-33).

Once again Es showed their vulnerability and very soon after the restart Saracens scored another well converted try (21-40).

With only minutes left the chances of a possible comeback was now gone, but Es finished strongly with Tom Cole doing a great job recovering the ball from the restart, and good Es recycling forced time and time again saw Saracens on the back foot and eventually skipper George Burnie nipped through for a good 4th Bonus Point try for Es and with Monty Nash converting, (28-40).

A good second half for Es but the damage had been done in the first half leaving a mountain too high to climb! Es therefore will lick their wounds and move onto next week’s fixture away at North Bristol RFC, a must win game even at this early stage of the season!

FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 28 – 40 Bristol Saracens

Man of the Match:  Lucas Sadler

SCORERS:
Tries: Monty Nash, Tom Bendall, Matt Bailey, George Burnie
Conversions: Monty Nash (4)

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website