Old Elizabethans v Tewkesbury RFC
18th October 2025

Following last weeks determined effort by the 1st XV which gave them a hard fought and well deserved Bonus Point, Es were this week facing another unknown entity in Tewkesbury RFC who had won 2 out of four so far. A large following support crowd from Tewkesbury RFC gave early business to the volunteer bar staff and a good sized home support ensured much interesting touchline input during the game.

1st XV SQUAD: Greg Foord, Fergus Blyth, Callum McCarthy, Tom Bendall, Matt Bailey, Kiran Wright, Pat Dore, Jakob Harding, Sam Hygate, Monty Nash, Alex CS, Alex Potts, Sam Brewer, Arthur Mills, Freddie Williams, James Brooke, Ollie Lunt, Ollie Brown

MATCH REPORT:
A late withdrawal due to sickness by Angus Clifford had given a debut opportunity to Ollie Brown, and Skipper Pat Dore was drafted into an unfamiliar position in the Back Row, so how would Es fair against a side which certainly looked the part with a traditional looking chunky pack of 8.

Es kicked off facing the clubhouse, but it was Tewkesbury that drew first blood when their No.15 (the best player on the park!) raced through to score an early try which was converted to give them a (0-7). lead.

Es may have been shocked but they applied pressure on the Tewkesbury defence immediately, with pressure being applied through a good charge down by Tom Bendall, a great steal by Sam Brewer and a good three quarters move found Tight Head Prop Callum McCarthy who side stepped his opposite man and bundled over the try line for a good Es response. A try well converted by Sam Hygate (7-7).

Whilst a good even competitive game between both sides ensued it was difficult to see who would come out on top as the game swayed to and fro. A good kick through by Sam Brewer was followed up by a promising and exciting attack involving Kiran, Arthur and Sam.B and Es should have scored down the left wing moments later but the final pass went begging. However, soon after Es broke the deadlock when an interception by Sam Brewer saw him scamper away from the defence to score under the posts, duly converted by Sam Hygate (14-7).

The Es scrum and defence of the driving maul from lineouts in the 22 was going much better than last week, however Tewkesbury pushed the ball wide on the left wing and sneaked through to score but the conversion hit the post (14-12).

Es looked to bounce back straight from the restart with a great rampaging run from Greg Foord and the resultant attack from Es saw Lock, Tom Bendall stretch around his tackler to pop the ball to Prop Callum McCarthy who went over for his second try, converted by Sam Hygate (21-12).

Shortly before half-time the first of four bemusing Yellow Cards for Es was shown to Freddie Williams. When Referees are being assessed it often seems that the referee makes decisions that are strongly criticised from the touchline however, this match saw Es given four Yellow Cards which seemed a bit harsh. This coupled with the fact that Es were persistently pinned back through accurate kicking from their No.10 gave Tewkesbury a strong advantage at many stages of the game.

With Es down to 14 men and with minutes left of the first half Tewkesbury narrowed the score deficit with a well deserved try, but again the conversion kick struck the post to give Es a 4 point lead going into the second half. Once again this served to demonstrate the importance of points earned through accurate conversion and penalty kicks and hats off to Sam Hygate who was doing just that for Es.

Half Time score (Old Elizabethans 21 – 17 Tewkesbury).

Another slick move from Es very early in the second half saw Sam Brewer run a great line, crashing through the defence to score his second of the day, again Sam Hygate added the extras (28-17).

A second Yellow Card was then shown, this time to Jakob Harding who could only shake his head in dismay!

So Es down to 14 men, and once again conceded through a slippery snake move by Tewkesbury’s scrum half to cross the line for a converted try (28-24).

Es then received their third Yellow Card, this time the player to be inexplicably punished was Monty Nash. Despite this set back Es bravely defended their line managing to hold the ball up off the ground as Tewkesbury twice crashed over the Es try line. The resultant clearance kick dropped into the arms of Tewkesbury danger man, their full back, who sliced through the Es defence from 30m out, evading several tackles to score under the posts and with the successful conversion kick took the lead for the second time in the game (28-31).

It seemed as if Tewkesbury were now getting the better of the game, decisions going their way and the Es faithful were heard to say that the game was lost even with 15 minutes still to play! Indeed, Tewkesbury should have extended their lead with the try line begging but uncharacteristically their full back knocked on with just 2m to go! Throughout the game Es had suffered from dropped balls or knock-ons and so this was justice one thought!

Youngster Ollie Brown got his chance during the last 15 minutes and impressed with his gritty display. So how would the last 10-15 minutes play out. Well Es managed to get their noses back in front with a well earned try through No.8 Jakob Harding who was having another sterling game. Sam Hygate converted to bring the score to (35-31) still the 4 point and two missed conversions by Tewkesbury making the difference.

Es heads were up and following a well won Es lineout secured by a youthful looking Matt Bailey his second row partner Tom Bendall, a threat all afternoon, crashed over for another Es try and a 7 pointer with Sam H’s conversion (42-31).

Es then received their fourth Yellow Card of the game and no doubt the harshest of the lot, shown to replacement Prop James Brooke. Despite this further setback it was Es that scored this time when down to 14 men with a great kick through recovered well with a kind bounce by Monty Nash who dived over in the RH corner, unfortunately this time Sam Hygate conversion kick floating just wide (47-31).

Full Time and a thoroughly enjoyable game to watch with both sides contributing to a good afternoon of rugby enjoyed by all, well by the Es supporters anyway!! Another Bonus Point earned so well done to all the lads.

FINAL SCORE: Old Elizabethans 47 – 31 Tewkesbury

SCORERS:
Tries: Callum McCarthy (2), Sam Brewer (2), Jakob Harding, Tom Bendall, Monty Nash
Conversions: Sam Highgate (6)

Skipper's Man of the Match: Tom Bendall

Spectators Man of the Match: Sam Brewer

Next week Es have a home Cup match v St.Marys OB RFC. The report will be provided by David Morgan.

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul ‘Blakey’ Barrington

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website