Old Elizabethans 1st XV v Dursley RFC
26th October 2024

After last week’s disappointing loss to North Bristol RFC, Es were in need a much improved performance coming up against 4th placed Dursley RFC. Es squad showed 7 changes, Toby Wilcox coming into the front row, the back row showing 2 changes with Matt Bailey and Tobias Burden stepping in, good to see Sam Hygate back in the starting line-up albeit in the unfamiliar position of Fly Half with Finn Holden starting at No.9. Exciting Will Monro returns at fullback whilst Roberto Periera is selected as a replacement for his 1st team debut. So, some strong changes but once again probably too many due to unavailability and injury, ensuring a lack of consistency and familiarity that is often important for confidence and ultimately success within the 80 minutes.

1st XV SQUAD: Jack Houlder, Fergus Blyth, Toby Wilcox, Tom Bendall, Adam Skyner, Matt Bailey, Tobias Burden, Will Tobin, Finn Holder, Sam Hygate, Ollie Lunt, Joe Watkins, Pat Dore, Alex CS, Will Monro, Angus Clifford, George Hollingberry, Roberto Pereira

MATCH REPORT:
Es kicked off and won the ball with good metres advanced by Adam Skyner and Toby Wilcox in what was a bright start for the home team. However, it wasn’t long before Dursley showed why they are sitting in 4th position when following an Es’ penalty in the Dursley half they won their lineout and then the following scrum and their winger broke free from defence in their 22 and with a chip through which he recovered he ran through and scored a converted try (0-7).

Dursley were playing a really good offloading game, always someone on the shoulder of the tackled player to receive the ball. Es scrum was struggling to secure any sort of decent set ball and despite good Es’ defence Dursley won a lineout and drove forward to score their second converted try (0-14).

Murmurs of “It’s going to be a long afternoon” were already being heard, but Es rallied briefly with a well taken penalty kick from Sam Hygate (3-14).

Es spirits were lifted, as Sam Hygate’s kicking helped relieve Dursley’s continued pressure, but just when it counted an Es penalty kick to touch stayed in and Dursley counter attacked eventually being stopped just short of the try line but they recycled quickly and scored their third try, unconverted (3-19).

It wasn’t long before poor Es’ tackling saw Dursley score their fourth bonus point try under the posts, converted giving them a (3-26) lead.

A scuffle off the ball saw both teams receive a Yellow Card just before the break.

Half Time score (Old Elizabethans 3 - 26 Dursley).

A great run from Will Monro at the start of the second half showed that Es still posed a threat but a long looping pass in the three quarters was intercepted by Dursley. Es then had a good spell with a second penalty kick from Sam Hygate (6-26)

This was then followed by a good run and chip through from Ollie Lunt for an unconverted Es try (11-26), a lifeline perhaps for Es.

However, Es capitulated almost immediately from the restart and the Dursley right wing ran in for his second try of the afternoon with a great touchline conversion (11-33).

A good break from Es' scrum half Finn Holden then saw him chip through the Dursley defence and prop Toby Wilcox was on hand to scoop up the ball and score a well-deserved try under the posts with Sam Hygate adding the extras (18-33).

Once again almost from the restart the Dursley right wing scored again under the posts with a conversion the scoreline read (18-40).

Soon after Es’ defence was tested again but this time they repelled the attack and with Will Monro dribbling through, he gave Es a third try, converted by Sam Hygate (25-40)

Es now needed to push for a fourth bonus point try. Alas, time ran out and the only other bright point for Es was a crunching tackle by Adam Skyner on the Dursley No.8.

A much better performance from Es but the usual strong Blue Wall defence crumbled too often again, especially straight after scoring themselves and like winning, losing can become a habit! Whilst the lineout worked well the scrum far too often was moving backwards putting Es on the back foot. A slow start to the game saw Dursley achieve a lead which was never really going to be challenged. Some good individual performances and some bright spells were not enough and Es suffered their 6th defeat. We know there are games to come that should see us safe in the league so let’s keep up the support for the boys. The next game in two weeks’ time sees us face arch rivals Old Colstonians at home.

FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 25 – 40 Dursley RFC

Spectators Man of the Match:  Toby Wilcox

SCORERS:
Tries: Ollie Lunt, Toby Wilcox, Will Monro
Conversions: Sam Hygate (2)
Penalties: Sam Hygate (2)

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

P.S. YOUR HELP: As you are probably already aware there is no game next Saturday but instead the 2nd November is a very important date for the new Clubhouse Extension with a Working Party that will see the new roof covered with tiles. Your help is requested (no particular skills required) so please get along on Saturday next to support. Food, coffee and beer supplied. A few old boys will also be tackling the area of trees etc. behind the posts at the far end of the pitch to make ball retrieval easier. Either way please come down and lend a hand from 08:00am onwards. We will also be watching live international rugby in the afternoon England vs NZ so a great day to be had for the club.

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