St Mary's Old Boys RFC v Old Elizabethans 1st XV
29th November 2025

1st XV SQUAD:: Jack Houlder, James Brooke, Connor McGrath, Toby Wilcox, Ben Charlton, Callum McCarthy, Matt Bailey, George Burnie, Sam Hygate, Monty Nash, Ollie Brown, Pat Dore, Sam Brewer, Will Monro, Freddie Williams, Fergus Blyth, Scott Tomlins, Andy Adams

MATCH REPORT:
A bright sunny but cold afternoon welcomed OEs to St.Marys at Bradley Stoke. Whilst Es started brightly within 7 minutes they were behind as St.Marys moved forward from what was a dubious penalty at best, to score a converted try (7-0). It wasn’t long before Marys doubled their lead after some poor first up tackling from Es (14-0).

The Mary’s attacking was relentless with their big men running riot, and Es couldn’t live with this and went further behind to a non converted try (19-0).

They should have scored again almost immediately and would have done had it not been for a try saving tackle by Monty Nash, but then Mary’s converted a good move following a lineout to score another converted try (26-0).

Es then did enjoy some good possession for a while but again poor passing or handling let them down at important moments and therefore it wasn’t a surprise when Marys went further ahead (33-0).

A bright spot for Es just before half-time saw them grab a well deserved try through some good running by Will Munro (33-5) and moments afterwards a good Es lineout saw them drive Marys back over their line for Jack Houlder to touch down, not converted. (33-10).

Half Time score (St marys OB RFC 33 – 10 Old Elizabethans).

The second half started as with the first half with some promising rugby by Es, but St.Marys were the first to score in this half with a converted try (40-10).

It wasn’t long before they extended their lead with a driving maul from a lineout and pushover try and conversion (47-10). Then almost immediately Marys broke from their 22 to score another converted try (47-10) quickly followed by another unconverted try (52-10).

Es were not done though and although out of the game they were spurred on by the thought of earning a bonus point by scoring 4 tries and indeed Es were the next to score again with another impressive drive from the lineout for Jack Houlder to score his second try and with Sam Hygate adding the conversion (52-17).

It was no surprise however when St.Marys responded immediately with another converted try (59-17) and straight from the kick off they ran through a non existent Es defence to score a further 7 points (66-17).

Es didn’t let their heads drop and continued to ask questions and from a move following a lineout in the Marys’ 22 the ball was spun one way and then the other and Toby Wilcox twisted and turned his way over the line for a good try and earning Es the Bonus Point (66-24).

Es hadn’t learned their lesson from the kick off and allowed Marys again to march through the same non existent defence to score another converted try (73-24). When Es got the ball again they again pressed Marys back into their 22 and great running line from Sam Brewer saw him break the defensive line and score a good personal try converted by Sam Hygate (73-31).

Marys had the last laugh though with their last converted try from a very impressive performance and the final whistle went with the score standing at (80-31).

Full Time: Not a great game to watch but Es travelling supporters were nonetheless impressed with Es spirit that gave them the well deserved Bonus Point.

Next Saturday Es are at home to fellow mid table Stroud RFC - see you there to cheer on the lads.

FINAL SCORE: St Marys OB RFC 80 – 31 Old Elizabethans

SCORERS:
Tries: Will Munro, Jack Houlder (2), Toby Wilcox, Sam Brewer
Conversions: Sam Highgate (3)

Man of the Match: George Burnie

Full League Table and Fixture List below

Report by: Paul 'Blakey' Barrington

CLICK for the Old Elizabethans RFC website