Cinderford II XV v Old Elizabethans 1st XV
11th October 2025

OEs travelled deep into the heart of the Forest of Dean to face the 2nd team of National League Cinderford RFC. The game was to be played on a 4/5g pitch, fitting of this successful club. Conditions were perfect for an open running game of rugby, and as will be revealed in this match report it was Es that played the Joue rugby!

1st XV SQUAD: Greg Foord, Fergus Blyth, Callum McCarthy, Tom Bendall, Toby Wilcox, Matt Fitzpatrick, Jakob Harding, Herbie Gale, Sam Hygate, Monty Nash, Alex CS, Pat Dore, Sam Brewer, Arthur Mills, Freddie Williams, Liam Bailey, Kiran Wright, Alex Potts

MATCH REPORT:
The scrums and lineouts were to be difficult for Es throughout the game and an area where Cinderford certainly took advantage with 5 tries resulting from lineouts in Es 22 where a strong driving maul following a lineout led to a try for the home team. In addition to rub salt in the wound Cinderford scored a push over scrum try. Along with a few other tries but nothing special Cinderford racked up a total of 62 points.

Pre match Es will have no doubt considered the strength of their opposition based on performances so far this early in the season, and will have certainly set as a goal the importance of coming away with something to show for this 2 hour round journey.

The Es support (me) were not to be disappointed with the team crossing the Cinderford try line 4 times! Great heart and determination were shown by Es and when they turned up the heat even this Cinderford team, especially their Coach had to admire the style in which Es scored four tries, three conversions and a total of 26 points to earn a well-deserved Bonus Point.

Es lost exciting Back Row player Matt Fitzgerald after about 10 minutes to a bloody broken nose!

The first Es’ try came in the first half following a great break by Sam Brewer who offloaded to Arthur Mills who following a nice miss pass and a loop around a defender gave Es their first score well converted by Sam Hygate. Es fought hard to stay in the game but the Cinderford Forwards had other ideas.

Half Time score (Cinderford 38 – 7 Old Elizabethans).

Half Time also saw me take over as linesman, WhatsApp reporter and note taker for this report.

It was no surprise that Es second try once again stemmed from a line breaking run from Sam Brewer who this time slipped the ball to Skipper Pat Dore to score Es second try again converted by Sam Hygate.

A third try came from a scrum pick up by No.8 Jakob Harding and Sam Brewer did some damage again before a kick through by Monty Nash was well followed up by Pat Dore for his second try of the afternoon again well converted by Sam Hygate.

And so the extremely important option of Es gaining a Bonus Point was on!! Es heads were up in recognition of this fact and they didn’t disappoint, but apologies with all the excitement I didn’t write down the scorer of Es fourth try, but pretty sure it was Arthur Mills!

Nevertheless, what great spirit Es had shown and as already stated elsewhere there probably won’t be many teams that earn themselves a Bonus Point here at Cinderford RFC.

Next week Es entertain Tewkesbury RFC at Hallen - see you there!

FINAL SCORE: Cinderford II 69 – 26 Old Elizabethans

SCORERS:
Tries: Arthur Mills (2), Pat Dore (2)
Conversions: Sam Highgate (3)

Men of the Match: Arthur Mills & Sam Brewer.

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul 'Blakey' Barrington

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website