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| 27 Jan 2025 | |
| Written by Malcolm Davies | |
| Sports |
After an excellent home performance and win against North Bristol RFC, Old Es 1st XV travelled to the north of Bristol to play bottom placed team Chipping Sodbury RFC. Another story of how the mighty have fallen. Teams that were top rugby teams in days gone by and now struggling. Chipping Sodbury, now a sign of the times and an indication/reminder to all about how quickly things can change.
Meanwhile the Es Thundercats had a fixture away vs Frampton Cotterell 2nd XV.
The Es 1st XV squad showed 6 changes from last week with some front row changes but still retaining strength in the power house and with Liam Bailey coming into the Back Row for his 1st XV debut. Wil Patterson slots back in at scrum half whilst Ted Bristow returns to the wing with Archie Joslin stepping in at Fullback for his 1st XV debut along with another debutant in the form of Charlie Collar starting on the bench.
1st XV SQUAD: Greg Foord, Matt Bailey, Toby Wilcox, Tom Bendall, Adam Skyner, George Burnie, Liam Bailey, Will Tobin, Wil Patterson, Monty Nash, Ted Bristow, Alex Potts, Pat Dore, Ollie Lunt, Archie Joslin, Will Mortimore, Charlie Collar, Arthur Mills
MATCH REPORT:
Es kicked off on a cool breezy day, dry, though wet underfoot. From a lineout on half way, Es rapidly moved the ball through multiple phases, with Ollie Lunt steaming over in the corner, 0-5 to Es, after 5 minutes.
The Es scrummage, in previous seasons, had been a weakness, not any more. The front row of Greg Foord, Matt Bailey, and Toby Willcox , with the drive coming through from the engine room, won a scrum penalty on half way. Quick thinking scrum half Will Patterson tapped and went, on a long mazy run, Pat Dore was up in support to coast over the whitewash for the second try, converted by reliable Monty Nash, who had a great day from the tee, 0-12.
Es drove downfield, with CS conceding a penalty 10 meters out from their line. It looked ideal territory to use our dominant scrum, or keep possession with a tap penalty, however Es kicked for a 5 metre line out, which put our backs 15 metres out, then we lost the lineout. Fair play to CS, they tackled manfully, with the howitzer boot of their No10 getting them out of trouble on several occasions.
The score remained at 0-12 until the 30th minute when a sweeping length of the field move saw full back Archie Joslin zipping over in the corner, 0-17.
The forwards were enjoying themselves, with text book carries, drives and recycling, Liam Bailey and Adam Skyner leading the way, took Es downfield with big unit Toby Willcox blasting over from close range for a 7 pointer, 0-24, the bonus point try.
Next it was the backs, Alex Potts and Teddy Bristow demonstrating some silky passing for Pat Dore to race over in the corner, 0-31.
The CS scrum half was being given a torrid time by Es’ Will Patterson, Patty stole their scrum ball and set off on another great break, forced into touch on the CS 5m line. The CS put in was stolen, by the Hallen lighthouse, Tom Bendall, mauled and fed out for No 8 Will Tobin to barge over, 0-38, with the ref blowing up for half time.
Half Time score (Chipping Soidbury 0 - 38 Old Elizabethans).
The second half started in similar fashion, Es were faster, fitter and well drilled. Will Mortimer was on for George Burnie, who had put in a good shift, and Mortimer was on the end of another flowing move 0-45.
Arthur Mills was on for Potts, he spotted a gap and carved open the CS midfield, you can’t defend against pace, and unselfishly gave Pat Dore a routine run in for his 3rd try, 0-52.
It had been a devastating 15 minute blitz, from the 30th to 45th minute, Es scored 6 tries without reply. Es then got a bit clunky, with a few passes not going to hand, players getting too excited maybe, and CS having their best spell. It was to no avail, as Es seized back the initiative, a big run out of defence by Tobin set up Joslin, to scamper over, 0-59.
CS responded, running a series of tapped penalties, eventually going over for a consolation score, 7-59.
Es swept back downfield, CS despite being well beaten, gamely tried to run out of defence, however a knock on gave Es an attacking 5m scrum. Putting the squeeze on, the scrum was trundling forward ominously, Tobin, keen to ensure no one else could score, picked up and ploughed over for the final score, 7-64.
Next week will be a sterner test, as Es travel to third place Dursley, as we approach the business end of the season. Thanks to the supporters, and special mention to the coaching team, Bristol Professionals Sam ‘Wusty’ Wolstenholme, former Redruth second row Steele Barker, instilling some Cornish grit, with Charlie Balfour in the background. It is hard to imagine a top four Premier League football team, Arsenal, Newcastle etc, sending players to coach any junior side, we are very lucky to have such quality input. Also special thanks to our lady Physio, always cheerful, keen to get on and help any player who has taken a knock, and generally lifting the spirits of the supporters, thank you Abi.
FINAL SCORE: Chipping Sodbury 7 – 64 Old Elizabethans
Man of the Match: Many players put their hands up for man of the match, Pat Dore with three well taken tries, Tom Bendall with great carries and great passing out of contact. However, Man of the Match goes to Will Patterson in his first start this season, roasted his opposite number, a hand in three of the scores, and a nuisance all afternoon, even the ref thought so!
SCORERS:
Tries: Ollie Lunt, Pat Dore (3), Archie Joslin (2), Toby Willcox, Will Tobin (2), Will Mortimer.
Conversions: Monty Nash (7)
Full League Table and Fixture List below
Report by: Andy Tobin
Es Thundercats SQUAD: Andy Adams, Joe Watkins, Kieran T, Dan Taylor, Archie Walker, Angus Clifford, Callum McCarthy, Scott D-S, Dom Swann, Ben Simmons, Scott Tomlins, Ned Lockwood, Gilbert Blocksidge + others
The Thundercats secured their second excellent victory in as many weeks putting Frampton Cotterell 2nd XV to the Sword!
FINAL SCORE: Frampton Cotterell 7 – 60 Old Elizabethans Thundercats a brilliant points tally for the Thundercats, well done lads!
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