Southmead RFC v Old Elizabethans 1st XV
26th April 2025

Having been granted a bye in the 1st Round of the Papa John’s Shield, Es faced a trip just up the road to face Southmead RFC in the 2nd round.

Es 22 Man SQUAD: Conor McGrath, James Brookes, Jack Houlder, Adam Skyner, Toby Wilcox, Fergus Blyth, Will Tobin, Matt Bailey, Sam Hygate, Monty Nash, Alex CS, Alex Potts, Scott Tomlins, Teddy Bristow, Arthur Mills, Andy Adams, Dan Taylor, Callum McCarthy, Archie Walker, Angus Clifford, Dom Swann, Alex Lee.

MATCH REPORT:
A pleasant and warm afternoon perfect for rugby welcomed both teams onto the field at Southmead, ideal for an open running game of rugby, but that is not the way it turned out for two evenly matched teams. Will Tobin, probably Es most lively player of the afternoon was the first to have a good break (until he limped off halfway through the game), well supported by Arthur Mills. However, it was Southmead that should have opened the scoring when they made a good break from their own half and with choices both left and right the breaking players pass inside was knocked forward but nevertheless an early warning for Es. However, Es responded well and a good attack was stopped 5m short but a penalty soon afterwards gave Es the opportunity to take the lead through a kick from scrum half Sam Hygate (0-3).

A good steal by Adam Skyner showed Es forwards’ intentions before a good run involving Teddy Bristow, Monty Nash and Arthur Mills gave Southmead a scare before they cleared their lines! Good Es’ defence was keeping strong Southmead attacks at bay. A further penalty to Es though allowed them to extend their lead to (0-6) again through Sam Hygate.

The scoreline was pegged back almost immediately through a successful Southmead penalty kick (3-6) before Southmead were penalised for Crossing from the restart and Sam Hygate stepped up to secure a further 3 points (3-9).

Brooksy was lively and putting in a good shift. Another strong break by Will Tobin was well supported by Matt Bailey but the Es’ attack was held up by a determined Southmead defence. Tobin attacked again soon after taking Es into the oppositions 22 when it seemed as if Conor McGrath had rolled over to score but was held up again! Es then extended their lead via another good penalty kick from Sam Hygate (3-12).

Half Time score (Southmead 3 – 12 Old Elizabethans). a tough well contested first half and Southmead were certainly not out of it just yet!

The restart kick from Southmead didn’t go 10m which set up another good Es attack again involving Will Tobin and Fergus Blyth. An Es penalty was run but the initiative was stopped short when Es lost the ball. At this point the back chat from the opposition No.5 saw him Yellow Carded by the Ref. The subsequent Es penalty kick from Sam Hygate further extended the score to (3-15).

For the second time the Southmead restart kick didn’t make the mandatory 10m. Soon after a further Es penalty kick went wide of the posts! A Southmead attack was knocked on in the Es 22 and from the resulting scrum Toby Wilcox made a great pick up releasing Arthur Mills who kicked into the Southmead 22 but the resulting Es lineout was adjudged to not be straight and Southmead cleared their lines!

A couple of Es high tackles put them under pressure but Southmead didn’t capitalise. Es brought on fresh legs in Alex Lee, Angus Clifford and Callum McCarthy but it was from a Southmead missed pass picked up by Arthur Mills kicking the ball the full length of the pitch before diving on the ball to score a good try with the conversion being added by Sam Hygate (3-22).

With 20 minutes left Es looked to be getting a grip on the game however, Southmead came up with their own try but the conversion was missed (8-22) but nevertheless making the final quarter of the game very interesting!

Another high tackle from Es gave Southmead another chance to draw closer but the attack petered out. A good carry from Es’ Toby Wilcox took Es into the Southmead 22 and a penalty allowed Sam Hygate the easiest of kicks (8-25).

A great Es scrum destroyed the Meads scrum! Dan Taylor on for Es before a great defensive tackle from Arthur Mills. A good pick up off the base of the scrum by Toby Wilcox gave Sam Hygate the space for a good clearance kick. Archie Walker on! And then another good break from the Es half by Arthur Mills saw him skin a number of defenders before going over in the corner for an unconverted try (8-30).

Full Time

Possibly not the most interesting of games to have watched for the Es supporters but Es managed the game well for a good win against a good Southmead side.

Next week we go on to face Stroud RFC at Fortress Hallen in the quarter finals of The Papa John’s Shield. Lots of support, please!

FINAL SCORE: Southmead 8 – 30 Old Elizabethans

Man of the Match: Sam Hygate kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Spectators Man of the Match: Arthur Mills two good tries

SCORERS:
Tries: Arthur Mills(2)
Conversions: Sam Hygate
Penalties: Sam Hygate (6)

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

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