Old Georgians RFC 31 – 36 Hucclecote RFC
Community Cup Quarter Final | Saturday 2nd May 2026 | Ealing Trailfinders
Match Summary
Huge Community Cup quarter final at Ealing Trailfinders
OGs made a flying start and led 21–3 in the first half
Lyle Reynolds crossed twice, with Hayden adding a sensational score
Matt Johnson was composed from the tee, adding four conversions and a penalty
Sam Owen scored in the corner to put OGs 31–22 ahead late on
Hucclecote finished strongly, taking the lead in the final moments to win 36–31
Full Report
Cup rugby rarely does calm, and this Community Cup quarter final had just about everything: early control, momentum swings, yellow cards, a late score, and a finish that left OGs heartbroken.
With the game being played at Ealing Trailfinders, the occasion felt big from the start. OGs rose to it immediately, opening the scoring through Lyle Reynolds, with Matt Johnson converting to make it 7–0.
Hucclecote responded with a penalty to narrow the gap to 7–3, but OGs continued to look sharp in attack. Reynolds crossed again for his second of the afternoon, and with Hucclecote down to 14 men, Johnson added the conversion to stretch the lead to 14–3.
The best moment of the first half came soon after. Hayden produced a sensational try to push OGs further ahead, with Johnson once again steady from the tee to make it 21–3.
At that stage, OGs were in control. But Hucclecote, backed by vocal support and plenty of belief, began to work their way into the game. They dominated possession for a spell and forced OGs to defend for long periods. A converted try brought the score back to 21–10, before another Hucclecote score just before half-time made it 21–17 at the break.
The second half became increasingly tense. OGs were shown yellow, and with the extra man Hucclecote struck again, taking the lead for the first time at 22–21.
That could have rattled OGs, but the response was exactly what this group has shown all season. Captain Matt Johnson stepped up with a penalty to put OGs back in front at 24–22, before Sam Owen finished brilliantly in the corner. Johnson converted again, pushing OGs into a 31–22 lead and putting them within touching distance of a semi-final place.
Hucclecote, however, refused to go quietly. Their pack began to turn the screw, including a huge drive at scrum time as the pressure ramped up. A try brought them back to 31–29, before they stole possession from an OGs lineout and set up a frantic final few minutes.
With time almost gone, Hucclecote were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Due to a score mix-up, they believed a kick would not be enough to win the match, so they went to the corner instead. From the resulting lineout, they scored the decisive try and added the conversion to make it 31–36.
It was a brutal way for OGs’ cup run to end. Four converted tries and a penalty is usually enough to win most rugby matches, but on this occasion Hucclecote found one final moment.
OGs can be rightly gutted, but also proud. This was a proper cup tie, played with commitment, quality and no shortage of heart. Hucclecote go on to the semi-final, and OGs bow out after a performance that deserved more than the final score gave them.
The Bigger Picture
This was a big occasion for the club, and OGs showed they belonged in it. To lead by 18 points in a Community Cup quarter final, respond after falling behind, and still be fighting in the final moments says a lot about the group.
The result will sting, but the performance had plenty to take forward: attacking threat, composure under pressure, and a side that kept coming even when the game became chaotic.
Credit to Hucclecote, who finished strongly and later booked their place in the final after a convincing semi-final win over Wells. For OGs, this was the end of the cup run, but not a day short on pride.