Cheltenham North RFC v Old Elizabethans 1st XV
8th November 2025

This match report has been produced using Gemini (AI) with input from former French OEs player Alex Faure.

Old Elizabethans Run Rampant in the sun with 26-48 victory

Bristol's Old Elizabethans RFC delivered a sun-drenched spectacle of attacking rugby yesterday afternoon, overcoming a resilient Cheltenham North side with a commanding 26-48 victory. In perfect conditions, the OEs’ backline clicked into gear, although the contest was punctuated by moments of frantic comedy from the visitors that kept the scoreboard—and the home side—in the game.

1st XV SQUAD: Greg Foord, Jack Houlder (c), Connor McGrath, Matthew Bailey, Tom Bendall, Callum McCarthy, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Jacob Harding, Monty Nash, Alex Potts, Tom SD, George Burnie, Arthur Mills, Kit Douel, Freddie Williams, James Brooke, Peter Lytle, Ben Charlton

MATCH REPORT:
OEs established dominance early, converting their first scrum into points. Following a huge shove, the ball was unleashed, with Kit Douel providing the initial break before sending inside to Arthur Mills for a well-deserved try under the posts. Monty Nash slotted the conversion, setting the tone at 0-7.

Cheltenham North responded with fierce pressure on the OEs’ 22-metre line, but stout defence, marshalled by key clearances from Nash, held them off. OEs carved out their next opportunity swiftly, with Freddie Williams chasing down his own superb kick-through to gather a perfect bounce and score their second converted try 0-14.

Despite the early lead, the OEs’ game was at times disjointed, exemplified by a near-score from Tom Bendall that was halted just metres short of the line. Cheltenham North capitalised on this lack of clinical finish, finally breaking through when their winger successfully shrugged off two defenders to score in the corner 7-14.

North added a further converted try 14-14.

But after a bizarre sequence a North lineout throw found the hands of Tom Bendall who simply walked it over the line to score (not converted), the OE’s held a slender lead at the break.

Half Time score (Cheltenham North 14 – 19 Old Elizabethans).

The second half was an exhibition in ruthless attacking play from the OEs. Just moments after the restart, OEs were back on the attack, with Freddie Williams collecting another kick-through to score the first of his subsequent tries. Though Monty Nash was unlucky to see the conversion hit the post, the score extended the lead to 14-24.

Gemini then seems to have missed a bit from the commentary!!

The Es’ forward pack then took control, earning a penalty 8 metres out, opting for the scrum, and driving over for another converted try 17-34.

But the highlight of the half belonged to Freddie Williams. After a scrum won deep in Es’ own half, the ball was spun wide to the flying full-back, who shrugged off his opposite number and sprinted the full length of the pitch to score a sensational try under the posts, converted by Nash, making it 19-41.

OEs maintained their relentless pace, with Tom Bendall seizing the initiative from a quick penalty to put Arthur Mills through for his second try, converted by Nash 17-48.

While Cheltenham North grabbed two late, well-worked tries in the corner to narrow the deficit—a small consolation for their determined effort—it was the OEs who dictated the final exchanges.

Conclusion
The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive 26-48 victory for Old Elizabethans’ RFC. The team's ability to create and finish spectacular tries—notably Freddie Williams’ hat-trick and the attacking flair of Mills and Bendall—underscores their potential. While there were a few defensive lapses and "comical mistakes" that will need to be addressed at training, this was ultimately a dominant performance that banked five important points in the sun.

FINAL SCORE: Cheltenham North 26 – 48 Old Elizabethans

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Alex Faure assisted by Gemini (AI)

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website