Chipping Sodbury v OE Thundercats
23rd November 2024

As there was no League fixtures this weekend, we have the opportunity for this latest report to be all about Old Es Thundercats. Please take the time out to read the report below. Given the weather conditions everyone who played deserves it!

OE THUNDERCATS SQUAD: Huw Patterson, Reuben, Greg Foord, Archie Walker, Dan Taylor, Angus Clifford, Joe Watkins, Kiran Night, Harrison Nash, Dom Swann, James Almond, Tom Jenner, Scott Tomlins, Ben Simmons, Ned Lockwood, Ollie Clapp, Wil Patterson, Monty Nash, Teddy Bristow, Ollie Lunt, Alex Potts, Sam Phillips, Sam Hudson, Alex Lee.

Other than the appearance of club legend and Chairman Dom Swann, The Thundercats welcomed back to the ranks Tom Jenner after a long lay off. In addition, old boys James Almond, Ben Simmons and Ollie Clapp were to grace the field alongside a star former 1st XV Prop with a Cameo appearance for Sam Phillips and he played a blinder on the touchline, but as humble as ever he thanks the lads for being allowed to take part in the afternoon’s activities, he thoroughly enjoyed it! Finally, it was a great opportunity to see a return from injury for Greg Foord, Will Patterson and Alex Potts.

Wet and windy weather greeted the sides and the spectators alike at Chipping Sodbury. A big thanks for those that made the effort to get along and support despite the awful conditions, notably Bobby “No Way Through” Atkins and Malcolm Davies and of course our Physio Charlotte and her friend who got soaked.

MATCH REPORT:
Referee was Barton Hill Bob, and for once I think he did a reasonably good job in the conditions and let’s face it he was getting soaked and cold along with everyone else!

The Thundercats had the advantage of the wind at their backs in the first half and probably needed to make the most of it. To assist the players the floodlights were on throughout the game. With Es unable to provide a full front row it was agreed prior to kick off that scrums would be uncontested which looking at the Chipping Sodbury, heavy weight forwards, was just as well. The game was in the main played in great spirits but with the slippery ball, no better than a wet bar of soap, the handling was difficult.

However, the Thundercats tried wherever possible to move the ball about and an early run from Ben Simmons and Archie Walker proved the point. With Storm Bert tearing through the UK the Old Es Thundercats attack started ripping through the Chipping Sodbury defence and a great rip of the ball by Joe Watkins started a move involving Dom Swann and led to a Greg Foord try, not converted (0-5).

Tom Jenner had started brightly and had a couple of good runs with the ball. A great tackle from Archie Walker and Dom Swann kicked a 50/22 aided by the wind. The Archie tackle led to some afters and instead of being shown a Yellow Card the players from both teams were told to take some time out off the pitch

A good attack from James Almond was only bettered by a crunching tackle from Harrison Nash. Chipping Sodbury mounted some pressure but a good TCs defence held firm before clearing their lines. A great break from Wil Patterson surely looked like a try was on but a looping pass to the wing was adjudged to have gone forward. Despite this a good move down the blind side from the scrum saw Oli Clapp go over in the corner for TCs second try, not converted (0-10).

Angus Clifford had a good explosive run before being involved again just before half time to secure TCs third try (0-15).

Half Time score (Chipping Sodbury 0 - 15 OE Thundercats).

An early attack in the second half and TCs broke the line in a move that had a certain try written all over it, but the referee blew up just so that he could have a word with a Chipping Sodbury player for a high tackle!! It wasn’t long though before Es broke the defensive line again through Joe Watkins and with a deft pass to Alex Potts a try under the posts and conversion from Dom Swann took the score to (0-22).

The Thundercats with at least seven on the bench continued to rotate players to keep everyone warm. An impressive performance was being made by Reuben Cookhorn (who had never played rugby before) taking the ball on into contact with the assured skill of someone who had been playing all their life, hopefully we will see more of Reuben! Dan Taylor and Alex Lee were also playing well.

Chipping Sodbury then had a good spell and despite really good defence from the Thundercats they scored two tries (one converted) in quick succession (12-22).

However, Thundercats responded instantly through a quickly taken penalty by Will Patterson and pass to Alex Potts who ran in for his second of the day, kicking tee provided by Sam Phillips saw Pottsy then also convert for the extras (12-29).

An outrageous dummy from the restart by Oli Clapp received a loud cheer from the touchline. After a great game Joe Watkins was removed from the pitch by Physio Charlotte. Monty Nash had a great run down the wing but was caught by a chasing Chipping Sodbury defender but he had set up the ball for it to find its way across to the other wing for his brother Harrison Nash to score a well deserved try with Monty Nash popping the ball between the posts for an all round family effort (12-36).

And so that’s the way it ended a really entertaining game, well played by everyone sporting a Thundercats shirt, well done lads very impressed by everyone involved.

The next League match is on Saturday 30 November with a home fixture against Lydney II, a chance to earn a victory and hopefully bounce back up the table!

FINAL SCORE: Chipping Sodbury 12 – 36 OE Thundercats

Man of the Match: Reuben Cookhorn - a brilliant debut for Old Es

Spectators Man of the Match: Two players:
     Joe Watkins: a really good game as a very industrious No.7
     Archie Walker: An excellent game both in defence and attack, kept going despite the weather and his brief visit to the touchline!

SCORERS:
Tries: Greg Foord, Oli Clapp, Angus Clifford, Alex Potts (2), Harrison Nash
Conversions: Dom Swann, Alex Potts, Monty Nash

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

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