Frampton Cotterell RFC v Old Elizabethans 1st XV
5th April 2025

Good dry weather welcomed Es 1st XV to Frampton Cotterell - Es after a difficult start to the season had won 12 league games on the bounce and so were sitting 5th in the league! Es were reasonably confident of putting up a good show going into the last game of the 2024/25 League season against Frampton Cotterell RFC who themselves had had a good season and were sitting 2nd in the league.

1st XV SQUAD: Greg Foord, Jack Houlder, Connor McGrath, Adam Skyner, Toby Wilcox, Liam Bailey, Matt Bailey, Will Tobin, Wil Patterson, Monty Nash, Will Monro, Pat Dore, Sam Brewer, Alex CS, Arthur Mills, Fergus Blyth, Tom Cole, Ollie Lunt

MATCH REPORT:
Es playing from right to left with the wind at their backs in the first half. Es were first to get on the scoreboard with a penalty kick from Monty Nash (0-3).

Frampton responded strongly and but for a knock on over the line would have scored immediately. As it was Es gifted Frampton with a first try with their No. 8 intercepting a pass and running in a converted try (7-3).

Despite this Es were looking strong and were having the better of the possession and territory until a long kick through by Frampton bounced awkwardly twice for the Es defender and Frampton capitalised with a second unconverted try (12-3).

Es were putting in some hard graft but Framptons defence was standing firm, however, a good move down the right flank saw scrum half Wil Patterson break the defence popping the ball to Monty Nash before Sam Brewer grounded the ball for a good try converted by Monty Nash (12-10).

Frampton immediately bounced back and from a 5m penalty stole through for an unconverted try (17-10).

Jack Houlder took a knock to the head and was replaced by Fergus Blyth. Just before half time a high tackle and penalty led to Es’ Monty Nash cooly slotting the ball between the posts from just inside the Frampton half, a great kick! (17-13).

Half Time score (Frampton Cotterell 17 - 13 Old Elizabethans).

All to play for, both sides contributed to a hectic start to the second half, both looking to taste first blood. A good break by Will Tobin relieving the pressure on Es. The referee felt the need to talk to both captains before further gritty exchanges between these two well matched teams. Es pulled closer to Frampton with a further successful penalty kick from Monty Nash (17-16).

Frampton then had the chance to gain a further 3 points with their own penalty kick but the ball floated wide! Frampton however kept up the pressure in the Es 22 and ran in a further unconverted try (22-16).

Es responded well and a good move saw Will Patterson slip the ball to Sam Brewer who ran in his second try of the day, not converted (22-21).

Frampton’s forwards were applying further pressure via good lineout drives going over once but held up, however, then a good three quarters move saw them run in an unconverted try on the left flank (27-21).

Further pressure from Frampton saw a long kick through and Es fullback Arthur Mills had to be on his toes as he gathered the ball and 3 Frampton players approached menacingly but Arthur cleared well. There was no let up from Frampton however as a penalty kick to touch and subsequent drive gave them another well earned try + conversion (34-21).

Despite this set back Es never say die attitude saw a slick three quarters move down the right wing which saw Ollie Lunt skin his opposite winger for a good try not converted (34-26)

and that’s the way it ended.

A hard fought contest and had it not been for the first two tries gifted to Frampton, Es could have well come out on top in this match but as it was Frampton showed why they finished the league in a good 2nd place!

The Papa John Cup: The first round of this Cup is due to be played next Saturday 12 April and is a Home Fixture vs North Bristol RFC - get down to Hallen to cheer on the Boys! (Editor's note: North Bristol have given OEs a bye so the next Papa John's Cup match is on 26th April, opposition TBA )

FINAL SCORE: Frampton Cotterell 34 – 26 Old Elizabethans

Man of the Match: Sam Brewer - two good tries and a constant threat to the Frampton defence!

SCORERS:
Tries: Sam Brewer (2), Ollie Lunt
Conversions: Monty Nash
Penalties: Monty Nash (3)

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

Full League Table below

THUNDERCATS SQUAD: Lucas Sadler, Andy Adams, Dan Leach, Angus Clifford, Rob Munro, Pink, Peter Lytle, Alex Potts, Archie Joslin, Scott Tomlins, Ned Lockwood, Burden

THUNDERCATS MATCH REPORT:
Es Thundercats ended up with 12 men at Chipping Sodbury and in a strange turn of events played two thirty minute games firstly against St. Mary’s Old Boys II XV and then against Chipping Sodbury II XV. Es won both matches 20-12 and 25-0 respectively.

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website