Chepstow II XV v OE II XV Thundercats
14th March 2025

No Gloucestershire South League Fixtures this weekend but Es had a Thundercats game at Chepstow II XV on Friday night under floodlights

Es Thundercats SQUAD: Fergus Blyth, James Brookes, Toby Wilcox, Archie Walker, Dan Taylor, Pink, Jake Perry, Angus Clifford, Oli Clapp, Dom Swann, Sam Hudson, Alex Lee, Scott Tomlins, Leo De Carlo, Ned Lockwood, Teddy Bristow, Matt Bailey, Will Tobin, George Burnie, Smith, Greg Foord, Roberto Pereira, Brereton, De Carlo + , Ryan Brereton

MATCH REPORT:
A still but chilly evening greeted Es Thundercats for this floodlight game vs Chepstow II XV in Chepstow and the small group of supporters cheered the welcome return of Leo De Carlo to playing in an Es shirt after an absence, due to injury, of approximately 2 years.

Injury to Jake Perry with a dislocated shoulder within the first minute sadly ended his game with Roberto Pereira taking the field as his replacement. There were good early exchanges between the two teams as both teams tested each other’s defence including a good first run from Leo DeCarlo showing that he had lost none of his speed and agility. Dan Taylor was looking very sharp keeping the Chepstow forwards at bay, but it was an Es’ scrum deep in their own half, where the ball was won by Es forwards and through the secure hands of scrum-half Oli Clapp and Fly-Half Dom Swann, both rolling back the years, led to a swift Es’ move involving Alex Lee and Scott Tomlins moving the ball out to Leo De Carlo on the right wing, beating two men and racing through to score under the posts followed by a successful conversion from Scott Tomlins (0-7).

Despite this early break through by Es it was Chepstow that were having the majority of the territory but once again with Es stealing a lineout courtesy of Archie Walker the pressure was eased through Leo DeCarlo who made a good 30-40 metres before being dragged into touch. Toby Wilcox was facing up to the Chepstow forwards with some strong runs before fullback Ned Lockwood put in a try saving tackle in front of Es’ posts.

The Thundercats scrum was starting to get on top ensuring good ball for the backs, however the relatively high penalty count against was keeping the TCs pinned back in their own half. A great break by Es as they spun the ball in their own dead ball area with some exciting running rugby with Matt (sorry don’t know his surname) gaining 50m. Fergus Blyth was in the mix putting in some good tackles. A 5m penalty for Chepstow saw them run the ball but they knocked on over the try line! Ryan Brereton on as Angus Clifford came off with a knock.

Half Time score (Chepstow 0 - 7 OE Thundercats).

Teddy Bristow and Charlie Smith both on at the start of the 2nd half which initially started with uncontested scrums but thankfully this was short-lived before normal service was resumed. Ryan Brereton started a good Es’ attack as he stole a ball in the lineout an area where Es were getting good success especially through skipper Archie Walker who stole numerous balls much to the frustration of Chepstow. A quick penalty on the left wing taken by the TCs and one pass to James Brookes saw him bundle over in the corner for a well deserved try, not converted (0-12).

After a good turnover close to our own line Dan Taylor came off injured to be replaced by George Burnie who ended up playing in the three quarters!! Es sustained some continuous pressure in their own 22 and it was no surprise when Chepstow went over for a converted try (7-12).

The Es Thundercats however were straight back on the attack with a great driving run from replacement prop Greg Foord. There was then a surprising Yellow Card shown to a TCs player, not sure why, however the TCs didn’t let this disturb them as Chepstow cleared their lines with a kick straight into the bread basket of Teddy Bristow on half way who then beat countless Chepstow players to score under the posts with Scott Tomlins again adding the 2 extra points (7-19).

Chepstow came back and looked to cross the Es try line a few times, each time being held up by a strong defence before Es won a 5m scrum and cleared their lines with again a great determined run from Prop Toby Wilcox.

Matt Bailey on as Chepstow again stole through the TCs defence to reduce the deficit to 5 points (14-19).

The Es TCs responded well with their own series of attacks with Teddy Bristow amongst others terrorising the Chepstow defence but it was after one of his penetrating runs that the ball was swiftly moved through hands to a charging James Brookes who ran a great line to break the Chepstow defence and score his second try of the night and then to everyone’s surprise took a quick drop goal and converted to make the full time score (14-26).

An excellent and exciting performance by the Es Thundercats to warm the hearts of everyone involved - well done guys. Normal service is resumed for the Es 1st XV next Saturday with the last home league match of the season against Chipping Sodbury RFC

FINAL SCORE: Chepstow II XV 14 – 26 OEs Thundercats

Man of the Match: Leo De Carlo for a fantastic return to the playing aspect of Es having stood on the touchline for so long, topping his confident performance with a try!

Spectators Man of the Match: James Brookes - a sterling performance from the hooker scoring two high class tries.

SCORERS:
Tries: Leo DeCarlo, James Brookes (2), Teddy Bristow
Conversions: Scott Tomlins (2), James Brookes

Full League Table and Fixture List for the 1st XV below

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

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