Match Preview

The action continues to come thick and fast for EURFC as just 3 days after our BUCS Super Rugby campaign kicked off, we have our next fixture in National League 2 West against Old Redcliffians.

Last week saw a tight game against bottom-of-the-table Dudley Kingswinford, with the scores tied at halftime. However, a late surge for the boys in green secured victory in the final 10 minutes. With that 4th consecutive win at the start of the season, we maintain the top spot with a maximum of 20 points so far this season.

Looking to this week, we have the short trip up to the Bristol area to face Old Reds side who finished just 1 point behind last season, as well as drawing with them when we visited Scotland Lane.

TOMORROW’S OPPOSITION
Founded in 1918 by a group of former pupils from Redcliffe Boys School, an institution founded in 1571 by Queen Elizabeth I. Their first big game came in the 1980s when they faced London Scottish in the John Player Cup, although league success would take slightly longer to come.

It would not be until 2010 when fortunes changed, and Old Reds got themselves out of the regional divisions and gained promotion to Southwest 1. Another promotion the following year saw them climb to the 5th tier and Nat 3. Since then they have experienced yo-yo-ing between the tiers, finding themselves up in Nat 2, and gaining promotion alongside us in 2022.

Former players include former Scotland international Graeme Beveridge, former Worcester Warrior Darren Barry, and most notably of all England vice-captain Ellis Genge. The prop played junior rugby at Scotland Lane before moving to Hartpury College aged 16.
A familiar foe of ours, with 4 matchups in the last 2 years, with everyone being a nail-biter. Old Reds have the 2 to 1 advantage, with last season’s 24-24 draw making up the other result. All this makes things doubly interesting for tomorrow.

KEY PLAYERS
Andy Butler – The scrumhalf already has 3 tries this season but is also crucial in organizing the attack.

Tom Ford – A forward-dominated team needs a leader, and 3 tries, mainly from mauls, this season the hooker is a key cog in the pack.

Jon Cook – The winger/centre bagged loads of tries last season and is always a threat with the ball in hand.

TEAM NEWS

With the introduction of BUCS, Gareth Elliot has more considerations to make ahead of his team selection, but most of it remains the same from last week’s victory over Dudley. Archie Alexander is the only new face in the front row, with Milo Hallam also coming in behind him. The back row remains the same with Kelly, Gordon and Triggs.

Will Smears comes in at 9 to partner Park in the halfbacks after neither got game time midweek. An all-new centre partnership for this game as Woody Pugh and captain Dylan Power come in, with Zack Wimbush unavailable due to his involvement with Exeter Chiefs’ match against London Scottish. Volley, the other centre last week, moved to the wing to group up with Ferguson and Ellerby.

Plenty of familiar faces on the bench with Arnold, Rolls and Bell all appearing last week. Ben Potter comes back into the side, and Elliot Young prepares to make his first appearance this season.

Plenty of history in this fixture, and some showstoppers in the past it certainly isn’t one to miss!!