Southmead RFC v Old Elizabethans 1st XV
21st December 2024

For the final fixtures of 2024 the Es Thundercats had a home fixture vs Dursley II XV whilst the 1st XV, after a stupendous victory vs Dings, had a short trip up the road to hopefully secure another victory against Southmead RFC.

1st XV SQUAD: Greg Foord, Fergus Blyth, Conor McGrath, Matt Bailey, Tom Bendall, Henry Oughton, George Burnie, Fred Thefaut, Tom Cole, Monty Nash, Ollie Lunt, Pat Dore, Sam Brewer, Harrison Nash, Will Monro, Wil Patterson, Tobias Burden, Sam Hygate

Only 4 changes from last week’s squad, with Henry Oughton coming into the back row, Matt Bailey moving into the Engine Room at Lock replacing George Hollingberry, and at Centre Sam Brewer replacing Alex Potts, with the bench including Wil Patterson and Tobias Burden. Despite these small changes Es were hoping to secure a second successive win with what was still a strong squad and hopefully a step up in the league!

However, we knew it wouldn’t be easy, the poor conditions were of course the same for both teams, and with a strong cross field wind and a real soaking just before kick-off both teams needed to ensure the mental battle was won as well as the physical one remembering that the two teams had played out a close result (Es 38-32 Southmead) earlier in the season.

MATCH REPORT:
Es had the slight slope advantage for the first half and started strongly, Sam Brewer getting stuck in and posing a real threat to the Mead defence. The Forwards seemed to be up for the challenge and in the tight the scrums were going extremely well. It was no surprise then when Lock Matt Bailey popped up to score an opening unconverted try (0-5).

Henry Oughton was shining in this bright Es opening and fly-half Monty Nash kept up the pressure with his territorial kicking. Southmead then had a purple patch keeping the ball in the forwards and running through several phases before scoring a well-deserved converted try under the posts (7-5).

Es lineout was struggling a bit but despite losing a few they equally stole a few through Fred Thefaut who was having another exceptional game. Fred had a great break and looked like he may go all the way but then lost his footing. Es were enjoying the territorial battle which was encouraging for the Es followers and a good run by Will Monro saw him cut down with a bad high tackle but the Mead player got away with a caution.

The forwards continued to probe the Southmead defence through strong runs from Conor McGrath and Tom Cole was also sniping away at their defence and Es went over for what seemed to be a perfectly good try but the Ref adjudged that the ball had been held up. Southmead should have cleared their lines with the kick out but were penalised for being in front the kicker and Es chose a 5m scrum from which Fred Thefaut broke and fed Sam Brewer who was stopped 1m short of the try line. The ball was recycled though and fed out to winger Ollie Lunt but he was also taken down just short. Another 5m scrum awarded to Es and a great shove, something happened and the referee awarded Es with a penalty try (7-12) a bit fortunate maybe but just what Es deserved for their pressure. A Southmead player was shown Yellow just before half time.

Half Time score (Southmead 7 – 12 Old Elizabethans).

Skipper George Burnie ripped the ball early on and seemed as if he might score but was dragged into touch. Es then secured a penalty in front the posts and everyone on the touchline thought it was a good opportunity to secure a good 3 points. However, Es chose the scrum and nearly scored from the break-away but then Southmead turned the ball over and cleared their lines, Pat Dore and Harrison Nash then ran the ball back at them and when the ball found its way back into centre field Tom Bendall was there to crash over for a good try converted by Monty Nash (7-19).

Es then had their own purple patch and straight from the restart Fred Thefaut broke through the defence offloaded to Sam Brewer who ran in the bonus point try, not converted (7-24).

Almost immediately from the next restart Tom Bendall and George Burnie broke up the right wing and finally fed Fergus Blyth who went over in the corner for the try to round off an excellent Es move, not converted (7-29).

Sam Hygate on. Es continued to attack through probably having 90% of the territory in Mead’s half and the majority of the possession but further attempts to score such as Pat Dore being stopped 1m short kept the scoreline down. Southmead kept moving the ball well and could have scored on a couple of occasions but good Es’ defence put paid to that. Strangely Es were penalised for ‘Feeding’ at a scrum, something you rarely see these days!

Wil Patterson on and he personally upped the Es pressure once again, and Southmead began to lose their discipline with their No.5 being shown a Yellow Card, but they didn’t give up and are basically an all-round good team. The one negative for Es was the ball retention on going to ground, here Southmead were winning turnovers that frustrated a number of Es’ attacks, possibly something to work on at the training ground.

Ollie Lunt, with a scrum on the far side of the pitch, called for a cross-field kick. Es won the scrum and the kick with a good bounce was collected well by Ollie and we saw him run in a well worked Es try, not converted (7-34). Full Time.

Es were definitely the better team and through hard work earned themselves a really good bonus point win, however despite this Es remain in 8th place in the league, so more hard work needed in the New Year starting with a home match on Saturday 4th January 2025 vs Bream RFC, a tough fixture but another good measure of progress made this season.

FINAL SCORE: Southmead 7 – 34 Old Elizabethans

Man of the Match: Tom Bendall - continues to improve his own game with numerous runs with the ball, one try to his name and some great defensive tackles.

SCORERS:
Tries: Matt Bailey, Tom Bendall, Sam Brewer, Fergus Blyth, Ollie Lunt
Conversions: Monty Nash
Penalties: Penalty try and conversion

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Thundercats v Dursley 2nd XV
21st December 2024

Thundercats Squad: James Brookes, Alex Lee, Andy Adams, Bobby Lee, Jake Perry, Angus Clifford, Munro, Luke Sadler, Oli Clapp, Dom Swann, Luke Jagger, Joslin, C Smith, Kit Douel, Larthe, Adam Skyner, Alex Potts

MATCH REPORT:
The Cats scoreline was received as follows: Cats 12-7, 19-12, 27-12, Biggest crowd ever for a TCs game, Dursley coming back into it with two unanswered tries.

FINAL SCORE: Thundercats 32 – 24 Dursley, but read on………...

A Thundercats Christmas Carol courtesy of Ben Barnett

’Twas the night before Christmas curry, and the wind blew at Hallen. As the crowds were amassing, and there were pints by the gallon.
The clubhouse was stocked, and brand sparkling new. The crowd look onwards, at the cats chosen few.
Dursley had come with a bus full of Port. The E’s eyed them closely, as there was a match to be fought.
The game it kicked off, under John Carrs watchful eye. 'Twas but few minutes in, when E’s started to fly.
Rob Lee bursting through, and offloading wide. Jake Perry was through and brimming with pride.
Was Perry all done, he cried no he was not. He plucked up the ball, and the dropkick he did slot. (7-0)

The Dursley players were in much a pickle, Kit’s weaving fit were spinning a riddle.
Swan got the ball and in one foul boot, he chipped over the D and gave a great hoot.
Dursley’s loaned winger had scored his try, it was enough to make grown men cry. (12-0)

Dursley would not take it this way, despite the efforts and the defensive display.
Munro, Angus and Perry would chop, then pull to the ground and go over the top.
In one simple ruck, James Brooke stood alone. But they could not move him with 6 Orcs full grown.
A winger broke through and looked for the score, but as Jagger descended he cried “NOT AT MY DOOR”
He pulled him down and stopped the chance, but Dursley did still, continue the dance.
Dursley hacked through and found much needed points, and muscles were hurting and men held their joints. (12-7)

The powering Archie, from kick off did leap. Claiming the ball, in one foul sweep.
Jagger was back, and he made one big break. Till he started to slow, and his lung started to shake.
Kit broke the line, like a dance old as time. His ears were pinned back, but he was stopped short of the line.
The pressure flooded on, and Angus got the ball. He slung seed out to Jake, but took a big fall.
The man took his ribs, cry for a card was the call.
It mattered not, Perry had two, the sun was shining down on E’s chosen few. (17-7)

But Dursely were here to ruin the festive season, don’t ask me why I don’t know the reason.
They scored their next try with rugby so boring. Not what sour head will discuss come morning. (17-12).

Just when E’s started to falter, up step Kit from the holy Christmas alter.
Through he did break, and up chipped the ball, big Archie did pounce took score all (22-12)

Cut to next half and Dursley tried to play, up plucks Archie hero of day.
Through he does sprint, but takes all a tumbled. Cheers from the crowd, turns all to grumbles.
The pressure keeps on, and E’s fling ball wide. The man of the hour but he’s on the wrong side!
E’s scouting programme coming in clutch, loaning a player what a nice touch (27-12)

Kit burst on through and finds Alex Lee, the pass goes awry or judged to be.
So Alex shouts out loud, with options free, “everyone’s over running me”.
Dursley had realised this was not fair, retracted their loan, but E’s did not care.
With much scrappy play, Angus broke through, Hallen was bouncing, the Joue was true. (32-12)

But the Dursley had travelled, set sail on their ship. So they try they did climb, out of their pit.
The ball went out wide and hard they did pound, the ball reaching out and touching the ground (32-17)

The Dursley flock they were done, out comes a bull with a charging run.
Only Jagger is left, to fell this tree. The collision was that of world war 3.
Despite the defence and their hearts swollen large, Dursley converted this last epic charge. (32-24)

As the storm it did pass and the fog had all cleared, this Cats team was left to drink their cold beers.
The job was done and the match was won, the social was pending…MUM I WONT BE HOME BY

Reports by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington and Ben Barnett

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