Old Elizabethans 1st XV v Old Richians 1st XV
6th September 2025

A warm welcome to the 2025/26 season.

A new league and a newly refurbished and extended clubhouse the grand opening of which was held last week – Sat 30th August. During the opening proceedings a match took place between OE 1st XV and Clifton II XV, which OEs won with a well deserved victory
12 - 5

Unlike last week this Saturday saw a glorious sunny day, with a breeze blowing towards the clubhouse. Old Richians arrived well supported, and the OE Absent Friends were out in force giving their full support to the home side.

1st XV SQUAD: 1.Toby Wilcox, 2. Callum McCarthy, 3. Conor McGrath, 4. Tom Bendall, 5. Joe Mallender, 6. Fred Thefaut, 7. Jakob Harding, 8. Herbie Gale, 9. Sam Hygate, 10. Monty Nash, 11. Harrison Nash, 12. Pat Dore ©, 13. Alex CS, 14. Ollie Lunt, 15. Kit Douel, 16. James Brooke, 17. Liam Bailey, 18. Will Munro

MATCH REPORT:
Es get the game underway, kicking off towards the clubhouse, well fielded by Richians who set up the first maul of the game. Both sides wary of each other in the opening exchanges with plenty of close quarter recycling and the tackling as hard as the pitch! A break in play for a Richians injury, with the first of their replacements coming on. Es go into a huddle and come out galvanised and start to spin the ball wide, stretching the defence and a deliberate knock on giving the home side the first chance of points. Sam Hygate takes the kick<br /> (3-0).

From the restart Es win a penalty and then the lineout, for Joe Mallinder to set off on a barn storming run, eventually caught on the Richians 22 and they give away a penalty. Sam Hygate slots the kick (6-0).

Richians suffer another injury, their number 7 limping off. Their attack continued earning them a very kickable penalty, but this was pushed wide. However, Es clearance was gathered and Richians go over for their first points of the game. Their kicker was replaced by the hooker, who bagged the extras (6-7).

From the restart another Richians player went down injured, and they drove a car onto the pitch to take him off! A lengthy discussion with the referee (who was being assessed) followed, with Richians requesting that the game was abandoned as they said the pitch was unplayable (or had they run out of replacements?), but the referee stood his ground (firmly!) and the match continued (now with uncontested scrums).

Half Time score (Old Elizabethans 6 – 7 Old Richians).

Richians started the 2nd half, Es replacements on and the fun began. First, Ollie Lunt with a mazy run to dot down followed by Hygate conversion for the extra points (13-7). Soon followed by another penalty goal from Sam Highgate (16-7).

Richians suffered another injury and go down to 14 men and then shown yellow for tackling when not back 10, to be reduced to 13 men. Hygate’s attempt at goal was wide, but from the clearance, Ollie Lunt gathered and was clean through the middle for his second converted try (23-7).

It was becoming one way traffic, with calls from the injured Richians’ players of we’re killing ourselves!

Time for Will Munro to step up and fresh legs as a replacement (and an 8-week summer holiday!) weaved through a tired Richians defence, managing to step someone mid falling over, to off load for Herbie Gale to go over (30-7).

Richians were back up to 14 momentarily before another injury reduced them back to 13. There was just time for a final flurry, and after repeated attacks, Es were awarded a penalty 5 yards out. Toby Wilcox had become impatient and with the whiff of the BBQ in his nostrils, took things into his own hands, tapped and barrelled over for a converted try (37-7) .

A strange match, but a great start to the league campaign and E’s fielding one of its youngest ever sides.

With so many missing with weddings and last-minute summer jaunts, there wasn’t a recognised thrower of the ball at the lineout. Step up, 2nd row Tom Bendall, who was performing top darts to his 2nd row partner, Joe Mallinder (best described as a grown-up version of piggie in the middle)!

The score and points difference puts OEs at the top of the Counties 2 Tribute Ale Gloucestershire League Table

Next week will see the OEs 1st XV playing away to Smiths Rugby in Cheltenham. Give them your support if you can

FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 37 – 7 Old Richians

SCORERS:
Tries: Ollie Lunt (2), Herbie Gale, Toby Wilcox
Conversions: Sam Highgate (4)
Penalties: Sam Highgate (3)

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Report by: David 'Morgs' Morgan

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website