Broad Plain v Old Elizabethans
22nd March 2025

Welcome to this report for what was due to be the 1st XV’s last HOME league match for this 2024/25 season. However, our opponents, bottom of the league, Chipping Sodbury RFC cried off, which is a real shame, but as it happens, gave us a home walk over “HWO" with the maximum 5 points.

Quick communication action brought about a friendly with Broad Plain RFC (BPRFC), second in the league below ours, and potentially joining us in our league next season. They agreed to a fixture at their ground in Bedminster. So, all in all, probably a stiffer test for Es.

Not sure whether this change gave some players the excuse to go shopping with their wives/girlfriends but the squad had a remarkable a resemblance to the Thundercats squad from last Friday in Chepstow, not the 1st XV. Nevertheless, it gave everyone an opportunity to shine! Going into the game the hope was that Es had not underestimated the strength of the opposition thus putting an end to the winning run.

1st XV SQUAD: Andy Adams, James Brooke, Greg Foord, Archie Walker, Dan Taylor, Matt Bailey, Lucas Sadler (C), Callum McCarthy, Kiran Wright, Monty Nash, Tom Scott-Dempster, Archie Joslin, Ted Bristow, Charlie Collar, Alex CS, Dougal Broom, Sam Brewer, Ollie Lunt, Wil Patterson

MATCH REPORT:
A dry warm and still afternoon greeted OEs to the home of BPRFC. Referee for the match: Barton Hill Bob.

Broad Plain certainly came out of the blocks much quicker and more determined than OEs and it wasn’t long before supporters and players alike could see that they were a well drilled side and formidable opponents. Indeed, within the first few minutes an unusually leaky Es’ defence, with numerous missed tackles saw BPRFC break through gaping holes, but on the first occasion a tap tackle from Teddy Bristow prevented them scoring. It wasn’t long however before two such similar breaks led to two converted tries for the home team (14-0).

Es’ scrum and lineout was struggling, however, a good spell for Es could have led to a score had it not been for some good BPRFC defending. The Broad Plain attack was causing Es all sorts of problems and a further missed tackle and they were through the Es defence once again and after only 15 minutes would have scored a third try had it not been for a last ditch tackle by Teddy Bristow.

Unfortunately, the BP player fell awkwardly and in doing so suffered a badly broken leg. The player couldn’t be moved and so the referee had no other choice than to immediately halt the game. An ambulance was called however it was a good half an hour before it arrived and then they proceeded to treat the player where he lay such that after approximately a further half hour it was decided to abandon the game.

A lesson to be learned by Es one might argue, albeit there of course was no way of knowing how the game may have ended. Interestingly in the league below ours the last league games include Barton Hill vs Broad Plain. These two teams are within a point of each other and thus the result of the game will determine which of these two clubs will join us next season, along with Avonmouth RFC in our league!

There is a break from League action next weekend BUT there will be a Working Party at the Clubhouse next Saturday and everyone is requested to get themselves down to the club to help - see you there!

The final league game of the season is on Saturday 5th April when the 1st XV are away to face Frampton Cotterell who are sitting in second place in our league!

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website