James Hutchison – New Junior Chairman
Message from new Junior Chairman James Hutchison
Friday evening saw the Colts, winners of the Gloucestershire League (North) take on Lydney, the Southern champions for the honour of being crowned best U18 team in the County.
Having triumphed in the League playoff final on Friday evening, the Colts ran out for a rearranged friendly fixture at Bradford on Avon this Sunday.
As part of the integration of next year’s Colts side, we forged a hybrid U16/17 team to take on a similarly formed Stow side.
Old Pats welcomed Smiths RFC to Everest Road, the only team to have beaten them this season and the much-anticipated return fixture did not fail to live up to its billing
Needing a bonus point win to secure successive league titles, the Colts turned on the style to overwhelm Cirencester.
The Colts headed to Cirencester knowing a win, in our penultimate match, would all-but-guarantee their position at the top of the Gloucestershire development league.
Having been rained off last week, the Colts used the 4G for their latest league fixture vs Drybrook.
Old Pats welcomed Smiths RFC to Everest Road, the only team to have beaten them this season and the much-anticipated return fixture did not fail to live up to its billing
The U18s continued their winning run with a strong performance at Bredon Star
Having had our cup run brought to an end last week, the Colts needed to regroup for a league fixture against Tewkesbury.
A blue sky and a firm pitch made for perfect conditions in our National cup, last 16, tie against Reading Rams. The stuff of which rugby dreams are made!
The U16’s took on Malvern today in an extremely even contest that went down to the wire.
The Colts took on Cheltenham North in the latest round of the Development League this afternoon.
For the second week running, the U16,s overcame mud and tough opposition to record a victory.
The Eagles impressed as they came out deserved winners against a determined Brockworth side.
Old Pats COlts v Saracens ”All the kit was brown and the sky was grey, it was a little muddy, when we played today”
This weekend saw our latest outing in round 3 of the U18 National Cup against Oldfield RFC in Bath.
For the second time in recent weeks, the Colts headed to Longlevens, this time in the Development League looking to continue our unbeaten start to the season.
In the wild, Lions and Tigers are rarely seen together, but it is widely known the two have sincere respect for one another, just like the Old Pats Lions and the Cheltenham Tigers.
Like Paris, this match was a titan arm wrestle between two teams very much on top of their games.
Following a hard fought victory over Stroud, the Lions unleashed a torrent of tries against neighbouring Dursley.
Colts host Matson in the latest round of the Gloucestershire Development league
Old PAts U14 face Chipping Norton and Dursely at Bourneside
Counties 2 Tribute Gloucestershire North league leaders suffered their first defeat of the season in a heavily forwards orientated contest on a sunny but cold afternoon at the Prince of Wales Stadium.
A beautiful Sunday afternoon in the shadow of the Abbey saw the Colts take on Tewkesbury in the latest round of the Development League.
Dursley Tournament – Huge huge huge well done to all the players, and coaches, a performance that everyone can be proud of.
Pats notched up ten tries with both wingers scoring a hat trick in a second half demolition at the memorial ground
It was an overcast, muggy autumnal morning, but the buzz was building nicely on the sidelines for Old Pats U12’s first matches of the season.
Old Pats U12s (Lions) made to work hard initially by spirited Spartans side
Remarkable turnaround of events at Everest Road in the Counties Two Tribute Gloucestershire league clash between third-place Pats and sixth-placed Richians.
After cup exploits last week, this afternoon saw the Colts travel to Cheltenham North to resume their efforts in the league.
New Season – New Opposition! A great start to the year for U11s
Old Pats Colts take on Thornbury in the first round of the National Cup for U18 players
The rebuilding process continues at OPRFC with success as Pats made it three straight bonus point wins in a row with a convincing victory over Stroud in Counties 2 Tribute Gloucestershire North
Colts Win Local Derby in League Opener
2023 Summer Ball at the Daffodil was enjoyed by all 160 guests and raised ÂŁ2290 for the Old Pats Juniors
A great game played in a very sporting manner was an excellent end to the season. Our large travelling support were jubilant and the celebrations began in earnest.
With their sights set firmly on the double, the Old Pats took full advantage of the perfect playing conditions suited to their expansive, fast paced game
As I finish writing this we have just heard that we have won the GRFU Development League – Northern Division without bringing in ringers, but using our own, home-grown Pats players and playing with skill and sportsmanship we have proved ourselves worthy of the title.
With the league title under their belts Pats kept their sights on the double as they advanced to the semi-final of the Papa Johns’ Community Cup with a convincing 9-try win over London-based Actonians to make it ten consecutive victories for the Cheltenham side.
Match ReportOld Patesians march on to national cup quarter-finals after convincing win in Cornwall 10 Tries – 2 Conversions – 0 52 Tries – 8 Conversions – 6 Old Pats continued their impressive winning streak as they brushed aside Cornish side St Just 52-10 in another display of clinical attacking rugby. The visitors wasted no…
With Minch camped in our half and pressing our line, we were happy to end the game with an honourable draw at 17 – 17 completing an incredible season for our lads and our whole touchline.
Today was a new day and a chance for redemption and to right a few grievances.
The pace and desire to move the ball never flagged from either side until the final whistle leaving the Pats with the win but shy of a bonus point that may be important come the final reckoning.
Match ReportOld Pats skewered by a mighty Saracens scimitarGiven the deluge of the past few days, we gathered at the Saracens ground on the King George V playing fields half expecting to see Noah, his arc and a menagerie of animals seeking refuge on what appeared to be the high ground of Mount Ararat. However,…
A blend of young Colts, 1st XV protagonists and mature veterans had simply too much pace and experience for the Greyhounds on Super Saturday
Long-awaited top-of-the-table clash against Stroud RFC ends in a hard-fought and well-deserved victory for Old Pats 1XV
Another thrilling 9 try game – another blistering performance from the Old Pats U16’s
Colts go once more into the breach, this time at the birthplace of the Bard
On an otherwise bright Mother’s Day, we travelled north of Cheltenham into deepest, darkest Worcestershire for our return game against the daunting Bredon Star RFC.
Match ReportOld Pats enjoy the sun in friendly run-out against MalvernWith the warmth of the early Spring sun finally making its presence felt, the colts made their way to Worcestershire and Malvern’s picturesque ground under the shadow of the eponymous hills. Since it was Mothering Sunday, both sides were a little depleted – them more…
A 7 try thriller with our boys again putting in another thumping performance
Our incredible U16 team came from behind yet again, in exhilarating style, to beat a decent Cirencester outfit.
With at least 10 changes, Pats rested many of their first team players, choosing to bring through another handful of promising youngsters from their thriving juniors section to face a significantly stronger Minchinhampton side at Hampton Fields.
Charismatic head coach Chris Downes sent his young squad out in their brightly coloured away kit, lightening the mood and emphasising that Pats rugby is all about enjoyment, it certainly was as they ran in 17 tries in an exhibition of accurate fast-running rugby at Everest Road.
The sun shone brightly under glorious Leckhampton Hill providing perfect playing conditions as Counties 3 Gloucester North third and fourth placed rivals went toe to toe with the Gloucester side.
A determined and disciplined defensive effort held them out for a great team win. A nice contrast to last weeks disappointment saw a happy clubhouse atmosphere. Well played Lads
if there was ever any doubt about the importance of a height and weight advantage in the forward pack, the old boys settled this with a tactically astute display of dominance in the set pieces
With 5 tries, including a hattrick to Charlie Langmaid, this was another blockbuster performance from our lads.
Sunday saw our Colts team travel to local rivals Cirencester on a beautiful afternoon made for running rugby.
Decisive win @ 71 – 0 with 7 tries and 1 conversion in first half, then 6 tries and 2 conversions in second half.
The patience and guile of the Cheltenham outfit that saw them through to an important bonus point win, keeping their title hopes alive.
The rain sodden pitch did not deter an underperforming young Pats 15 from brushing aside an enthusiastic but outclassed Tewkesbury side in a seven tries to one rout at Everest Road.
Old Pats U16 in eight try cracker that left everyone breathless
The skies cleared on cue over Everest Road and the Pats set about playing their trademark expansive game v Chosen Hill on Saturday
A palpable air of excitement was in place as a confident and talented Colts side took on Olney in the National Cup
Warming up on the same pitch as the opposition one could not fail to notice the big looking Gloucester boys and we knew this was going to be a physical encounter.
Despite a last minute switch of venue, due to the Pats pitch being sodden, we took a big and talented squad to Wiltshire.
With the Christmas hiatus over, it was great to get back to doing what we all love – watching our special boys play rugby.
The U9’s travelled to Minchinhampton for their first competitive fixture in blustery, cold conditions – even the advisable extra layer wasn’t quite enough.
We returned back to our Old Pat’s fortress today for the penultimate game of the year against a valiant 12 man Cheltenham North team
The boys were up for this! A place in the last 16 and the claim to be the best in the county were on the line
After a number of hairy moments we did succeed in battering our way out of trouble.
10 Old Pats Colts players played in Friday’s eagerly anticipated annual charity derby at Kingsholm between Cheltenham College and Sir Thomas Rich’s
Our confidence was high and we were handling and offloading like the Fijians at their finest.
Even scores but the Old Pats must reflect on their performance before the next fixture.
There was so much to be proud of in a close game with fine margins against good opposition and adverse weather conditions.
Old Pats prevailed in a typically physical encounter against a respected Drybrook team – that is 5 from 5!!!
With superior athleticism Pats pack were quicker to the breakdown forcing a high tempo game
Not a victory, but a fantastic, committed showing by all the team. Well played the Pats!
Pats made hard work of notching up their sixth win of the season
There were so many positives today and this was our fourth win from four of the season, again demonstrating how the boys have matured and how much they are playing for each other as a team.
With no game for Chosen Hill’s 1st XV, Pats overcame a strong second string side in the local derby to stay top of Counties 3 Gloucestershire North League
An excellent show of skill, commitment and teamwork by all the lads
Pats fielded a mixed side of 2nd and 3rd team players but also 2 debutants from last years successful Colts County Cup winning squad, with Henry Lewis and flanker Oscar Godden making their senior debuts.
The Old Pats hosted local town rivals, Cheltenham Tigers, for what promised to be an exciting opening fixture at The Park.
How far we can go in this competition is unknown but it was a very promising start.
It was a scorcher (for September) when around 40 of the most gifted and talented men ever to grace a rugby field ventured out in the mid-afternoon heat
Old Pats partner rugby mental health charity Looseheadz
Pats consolidated their position at the top of Counties 3 Gloucestershire North cruising to their third successive win of the season, running in 7 tries to 2 at Everest Road.
12 players from our 3 teams were chosen at random to attend the Dean Close rugby camp
OPRFC 45 – Norton RFC 5 Pats young 1st XV leapfrogged to the top of the table running in seven tries to one in a comprehensive victory at Everest Road.
First game of the season’s man of the match Joe Dike talks about his Old Pats journey from Tag to the First IV
Welcome to the 2022-23 Season from Alistair Armstrong – Junior Chair
Old Pats opts for voluntary relegation in esential First Team realignment