Old Elizabethans 1st XV v Stroud RFC
3rd May 2025

After last week’s victory away to Southmead, Es welcomed Stroud to Fortress Hallen for the next round of the Papa John’s Shield for a Bank Holiday Weekend thriller.

Several regular first team players were unavailable, so a large contingent of the Thundercats were stepping up to the mark.

A glorious hot, sunny day, with a slight breeze blowing away from the clubhouse. Stroud had brought plenty of support, so a capacity car park awaited kick off.

With the league being altered, Stroud will be in the same league as Es next season, so a good time to put down a marker.

Es 20 Man SQUAD: Andy Adams, Jack Holder ©, Greg Foord, Archie Walker, Matt Bailey, Fergus Blyth, Angus Clifford, Ben Charlton, Sam Hygate, Dom Swann, Tom Cole, Monty Nash (vc), Scott Tomlinson, Alex C-S, Charlie Collar,
Bench – Roberto Pereira, Ollie Pink, William Wilson, Lucas Sadler, Dan Leach

MATCH REPORT:
Es kicked off away from the clubhouse with the wind behind them, straight into the middle of the park and Stroud give away an early penalty. Sam Hygate stepped up and settled the nerves 3-0.

Stroud restarted strongly and were utilising their big pack with some close quarter drives before spinning the ball wide, from side to side, making use of the wide pitch, before going route one to score. The conversion off the post to go over 3-7

Before the restart, the ref asked Es to turn their shirts inside out as the 2 strips were too similar, so Es now in all white. Stroud continued where they had left off and continued to spin the ball from left to right and a last-ditch tackle from Sam Hygate saving an almost certain try. Stroud then repeated their first try tactics and burst straight through the middle to go in under the posts 3-14

Doubt was creeping in to some of the Absent Friends supporter group, with only 15 minutes gone! Stroud knocked on the restart and Es kicked for the corner from the resulting scrum. Stroud had 2 hefty 2nd rows, but were unable to secure their own ball, Archie Walker stealing what was to be the first of many lineouts.

Es copied Stroud’s tactics and spun the ball wide, before the pack arrived at the breakdown and close quarter driving from Matt Bailey resulted in Ben Charlton going over. Conversion missed 8-14

Es secured the restart and began a repeat of the previous move, kicking to the corner. This time, Stroud opted for a long throw to the back of the lineout, stolen by Es and spun the ball wide through Dom Swann and Scott Tomlinson was over, Sam adding the extras 15-14

The Absent Friends supporter group had fallen silent, but bus passes and blue badges were beginning to flutter on the touchline! The restart didn’t go 10, so Es were awarded a scrum on the halfway and they attack to the left far corner, a chip through and Alex CS skinned his man to gather the ball and go over 22-14

Again, the restart didn’t make 10, but Es are tackled from the scrum and the ball turned over, the same Stroud centre going straight through the middle for a try between the posts 22-21

Stroud’s restarts and receiving of kick offs were proving to be their downfall, as another restart was knocked on and Alex CS pounced on the loose ball but was dragged into touch 5 metres short. Archie ‘the salmon’ stole another lineout and Sam chipped over the top but was taken out late. A tap and go, but Es were held up over and Stroud had a goal line drop out. The ball was spun wide from gathering the dropout and the familiar sight of Charlie Collar’s scrum cap weaving through defences, beating his man to go over. Sam with the extras 29-21

Es steal the ball from the kick off and surge through the forwards, Archie Walker proving he was good on the ground as well as in the air, linking with Fergus Blyth before Boulder bounced 3 players, to throw a long pass resulting in Alex CS going over. Sam with the extras 36-21.

A bus pass was seen to be thrown into the air on the touchline.

Half Time score (Old Elizabethans 36 – 21 Stroud).

Changes were made during the break with Bailey and Adams off and Ferg and Ollie Pink on.

Stroud start the 2nd half with the wind behind them but infringe early and Sam Hygate again settled any nerves with a shot at goal 39-21

Bailey must have snuck back on as he won the first lineout of the 2nd half and Archie Walker was standing in front of me on the touchline!

From the resulting maul, Boulder slung out an outrageous reverse pass, for Chairman Swann to show his timeless, age defying skills and glide through the advancing defence, but the ball is turned over and Stroud advance at pace and despite some last-ditch tackling, go over 39-28

Stroud’s tails are now up, and the blue wall beginning to creak. They launch an attack and despite a diving tap tackle from Alex CS, off load to score. Conversion off the post and missed 39-33

10 minutes to go and Es need to dig deep and decide to do so with wave after wave of attack, with just about every player touching the ball. The Chairman spotted a gap and dummied through, Stroud going over the top from the resulting tackle. Into the wind, Sam Hygate nailed the penalty, with minutes left on the clock 42-33

Stroud’s restart was again not 10, but Es are turned over from the scrum and Stroud break through to go over under the posts 42-40

No time to restart as the referee blew the final whistle.

A magnificent game to watch, that had its doubters, was in the bag, only to climb out again and then the relief of the final whistle. What it did prove is we now have strength in depth and looking forward to South Molton away in the semi-final, Saturday 10th May.

FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 42 – 40 Stroud

SCORERS:
Tries: Ben Charlton, Scott Tomlinson, Alex C-S (2), Charlie Collar,
Conversions: Sam Hygate (4)
Penalties: Sam Hygate (3)

Report by: David ‘ Morgs ’ Morgan

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website