Old Elizabethans 1st XV v North Bristol RFC
18th January 2025

An exciting weekend in prospect not least because the weather was kind and allowed rugby to actually be played!

The Es Thundercats had an away fixture vs Broad Plain RFC 2nd XV, whilst the Es 1st XV had their first league fixture since Christmas and welcomed North Bristol RFC to Fortress Hallen.

For once however some 30+ Former Players took centre stage with a gathering for a pre-match lunch and drinks to then cheer on the 1st XV. This would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the volunteers involved so we would like to register our heart felt thanks to Caz Cheek, Kayleigh Barrington, Nicky Trott and Ian Kembery’s daughter ( sorry if I’ve missed anyone).

The Former Players Squad included: Rich Bevan, Marsh Price, Andy Tobin, Frank Arber, Rich Loader, Jim Harris, Sam Phillips, Paul Strange, David Morgan, Simon Lomax, Ian Kembery, Bob Atkins, Roger Edwards, Malcolm Davies, Andy Brook, Dave Langdon, Colin Williams, Karl Suchy, Shaun Glass, Robin Cherry, Mark Johnson, Phil Cheek, Peter Able, Rob Franklin, Oli Cosgrove, Roger Perkins, Dan Werz, Chris Carter, Chris Bater, Luke Griffiths, Tom Curtis, Matt Trott. Hope you all enjoyed yourselves! (Editors Note: We certainly did!)

Es Thundercats Squad: James Brooke, Andy Adams, Angus Clifford, Jake Perry, Liam Bailey, Herbie Gale, Sam Hygate, Dom Swann, Ben Simmons, Oli Clapp, Kit Douel, Dan Leach, Ned Lockwood, Archie Joslin, Archie Walker, Dan Taylor, James Almond.

Es TCs Match Report courtesy of Dom Swann

The TCs headed down to Bedminster for their first game against Broad Plain (BP) with what was, on paper at least, a strong side. Bizarrely, BP elected for uncontested scrums - the formidable front row of Stonecold James Brooke, Angus Clifford and King of the Cats Andy Adams clearly too intimidating to be taken on in the tight. Naturally, the Cats were gutted. But it became obvious from the warm-ups that this would be a game of contrasting styles; Broad Plain favouring a narrow game with cries of "keep it tight...no tighter" against a more expansive style from the visitors. Which would prevail?

MATCH REPORT:
Playing down the slope, the TCs received the kick-off and showed their intent immediately. Several wide attacks stretched the BP defence with Herbie Gale and Liam Bailey asking questions in the pack and out wide Ned Lockwood, Oli Clapp and Ben Simmons made some clean breaks. But it was the TC's defence which created the first try - a loose pass picked up by Archie Walker who showed a clean pair of heels to race in from half way. He did not look well afterwards.

Defensively BP were throwing everything at the Cats but their aggression was no match for the silky skills of the men from Hallen. In midfield the Cats had done their maths and Hygate + Swann + Joslin = Jouez. Too much speed and width in attack saw Jake Perry cruise over out wide.

The big men were now causing havoc down the middle with Brooke, Adams, and Dan Taylor doing damage. The space opened up for Dom Swann to attack the line and get arms free to slip the ball to Angus Clifford who charged in from 40m for a converted try.

From the restart Gale's power was a sight to behold - he carried 3 defenders around 15m before going to ground. Unfortunately, in the act of tackling one of the BP defenders suffered what looked like a serious neck injury. An ambulance was required and the noble Brooksie stayed with the BP player until it arrived. This seemed like an extreme way of removing one of the Cat's key men from the pitch; but on the other hand, he may face the judge's wrath in court for going missing for 40 minutes of the match.

With the game paused, play moved to an alternative pitch. The second team pitch was out of bounds with the posts having been flattened by storm Darragh a few weeks earlier. So, the only option was a junior pitch best described as a postage stamp. This looked to be sub-optimal from a Jouez perspective.

But despite the restrictions it was the Cats who struck first - straight from the training ground, a "Prem" move got the ball to the impressive Ned Lockwood who weaved through for a well-deserved try (converted).

At 24-0 up the game seemed done. But "done" is not in the TC's vocabulary. The conditions clearly suited the bigger BP side who continued with their one-out style of play. This was now starting to pay dividends with 2 quick scores bringing them back in the game.

Momentum is a funny thing in rugby and the Cats could not get hands on the ball despite some excellent hanging restarts from Joslin. It was bodies on the line stuff with James Almond and Dan Leach making several last gasp tackles to keep the Cats in the game. But with injuries mounting up for the TCs the home team grabbed a try and then another to bring the scores level.

With the game in the balance it was BP again on the attack. After several ineffective tackles Swann decided it was time to make amends flying into BP's chubby prop and coming out with the ball. He offloaded to Walker who beat several defenders, some of them twice (despite easier options to pass) to cross for the score to re-take the lead (converted).

But the game was not done - BP threw everything at the Cats with their turgid gameplan and got one final try. With the conversion to level the scores, the Cats charged with everything they had - including a blood-curdling scream from captain Adams - and forced the conversion wide.

That would remain the final score - 29-31. Adam's tearful post-match speech showed how much this win meant to a dogged Cats side who will clearly go onto bigger things this season.

FINAL SCORE: Broad Plain 2nd XV 29 – 31 Old Elizabethans Thundercats

TCs Man of the Match: Archie Walker - two excellent tries

1st XV Match Report courtesy of Andy Tobin

1st XV SQUAD: Conor McGrath, Jack Houlder, Greg Foord, Tom Bendall, Adam Skyner, George Burnie, Joe Mallander, Will Tobin, Tom Cole, Monty Nash, Ollie Lunt, Alex Potts, Pat Dore, Alex CS, Arthur Mills, Wil Patterson, Callum McCarthy, Matt Bailey

So not having played for a few weeks the question was, would the 1st XV be a little rusty? Great to see Joe Mallander back in the side, someone who I have predicted could be a 1st XV skipper of the future. My thanks to Andy Tobin for providing this match report and input from David Morgan re the Lunch!

MATCH REPORT:
With the past two weekends rugby matches postponed due to frozen pitches, the squad were straining at their leashes for action, and the spectators, numbers boosted by the annual old boys pre match luncheon, were not to be disappointed. Massive thank you to Caz Cheek and her team of ladies for laying on a superb three course luncheon. Es kicked off on a cold, dry, still afternoon, an overenthusiastic follow up and high tackle resulted in a North Bristol penalty, the ref signalling his intent for a clean game. NB worked downfield until a knock on gave Es the put in at the first scrum, always interesting, with the Es’ 8 looking very solid. Es were attacking in waves, with George Burnie eventually peeling off the back of a driving maul to touch down the first score, on 14 minutes, ably converted by Monty Nash, 7-0.

NB had a useful set of backs, they seemed certain to score after some good passing, until a Pat Dore try saving tackle cut them down on the Es’ 5 meter line, with the ball going loose and scooped up by scrum half Tom Cole. In no mood to kick possession away, Es set off downfield, great interpassing from Greg Foord, Alex Potts and Ollie Lunt took play to the NB 5 meter line, with prop Conor McGrath in support to score out wide, for a thrilling team try, 12-0.

Lock Adam Skyner was bossing the restarts, time and again confidently catching and setting up great front foot ball. The Es lineout was functioning well, hooker Jack Boulder finding his jumpers with accuracy. From a 5 metre attacking line out, it was a textbook catch and drive, with Boulder touching down Es third try, a 7 pointer, 19-0.

In the 37th minute, Es had an attacking 5 metre scrum, and really put the squeeze on, with the NB scrum trundled backwards as if it was on castors, No8 Will Tobin making the touchdown for another 7 pointer, and the bonus point, 26-0.

As the first half drew to a close, NB had the last word with a 7 pointer from close range, to remind Es they were still in the game.

Half Time score (Old Elizabethans 26 – 7 North Bristol).

The second half started with NB straight on the attack, eventually forcing their way over the line, for a try in the corner, 26-12.

Was a comeback on the cards? Es seemed to have lost some momentum, however they worked their way back downfield into the NB 22, for a series of driving mauls. The move seemed to have broken down, when Will Tobin picked up and blasted through three NB tacklers, in his usual belligerent style, for a 5 pointer, 31-12.

Any hopes of a NB revival were finally extinguished when lock Tom Bendall stole a NB lineout, on the NB 5 metre line, and Will Patterson burst through for another 7 pointer, full time 38-12. Es exacting revenge for the early season reverse at North Bristol.

A very good all round team performance, in attack and defence, a dominant scrum, doing the basics well, playing to our strengths, looking after the ball. Next week we travel to bottom side Chipping Sodbury, who have lost all 14 games they have played so far. With the right approach, and no complacency, we would hope for a 5 pointer to take Es above Bristol Saracens, in the table.

FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 38 – 12 North Bristol

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Man of the Match: All action flanker Joe Mallender – showed the way with some shuddering hits in defence and great support work.

Supporters Man of the Match: Will Tobin, some great steals on the ground, determined carries and two tries.

Reports by: Andy Tobin and Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

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