News

The passing of Old Redcliffians RFC’s Ellis Joseph, aged 27

With the deepest sadness and heavy hearts, Old Redcliffians RFC share the news of the passing of their dear friend, Ellis Joseph.

Ellis passed away peacefully at his family home, exactly where he wished to be. During his battle with a terrible disease, Ellis showed immense courage, and those who knew him will remember the bravery and strength he demonstrated throughout this difficult time. Remarkably, his sense of humour never wavered, and he remained the same comedic, light-hearted spirit we all loved

Ellis was not only a cherished member of the Old Redcliffians RFC community but a true symbol of resilience. The support from all corners of the globe during the #tryforellis campaign was overwhelming, and it demonstrated the power of the bonds he formed with so many. Thanks to this campaign, countless people joined the stem cell register, and we will forever be grateful for that.

Ellis’ journey with Old Redcliffians began when he was a Junior. After graduating to the Senior ranks, it didn’t take long for him to establish himself as a regular in the 1st XV. He stuck with the club through thick and thin, embodying the true spirit of a club man. Whether on the pitch or off, you could always count on Ellis. He was a force to be reckoned with in the front row—a true competitor and the envy of the combination. His presence in the bar after games and during social events was a staple.

Ellis’s achievements on the pitch are a testament to his dedication and talent. He earned over 100 national league caps with Old Redcliffians, a remarkable feat that few players achieve in their careers. He was awarded Player's Player of the Season for the 2021-2022 campaign, a period that saw Old Redcliffians promoted back to National 2. And, in what will forever be a cherished memory, Ellis scored the winning try in the County Cup final against Chew Valley.

In addition to playing for Old Reds, Ellis was also selected to represent Somerset and was part of the historic team that lifted the Bill Beaumont County Championship Division 2 Cup after beating Staffordshire 36-20 at Twickenham on June 4, 2022.

This is an incredibly difficult time for all of us. We ask for the family’s privacy as they grieve the loss of Ellis, and we extend our deepest sympathies to them. If any of you find yourselves struggling with this news, please reach out to the bereavement support services available at: https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/bereavement-help-and-support

Old Redcliffians RFC will observe a minute’s silence before Saturday’s games against Taunton and Chosen Hill as a mark of respect.

Please join us in raising a glass to our beloved friend, Ellis Joseph. He will be greatly missed, but his memory will live on in all of us.

"There'll always be Redcliffians

And friendships last for life,

Your teammates are always by your side.

In peaceful times or strife."

Bristol & District Rugby Football Combination offer their sincere condolences to Ellis's family and everyone at Old Redcliffians RFC

Ellis’ Celebration of life

Monday 3rd March : 3pm at Haycombe Crematorium Bath.

Old Reds RFC will be open from 4pm onwards should anyone wish to raise a glass after the ceremony.

There is no dress code, Old Reds stash is encouraged and a pop of colour would be great! Please no flowers,

Bristol Combination v Bath Combination

A Bristol Combination XV will face their Bath counterparts at North Bristol RFC on Thursday, March 27, 2025, kick-off 7.30 pm.

The passing of former Bristol Barbarians captain & chair Steve Billingham

Bristol Barbarians RFC are saddened to announce the passing of our friend, previous club captain and chairman

Steve Billingham on Sunday, January 19, 2025.

Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who knew Steve. RIP to another of the Barbarians family.

Bristol & District Combination send sincere condolences to Steve's family, friends and club colleagues.

Bristol Combination Cup Final

BUTCOMBE BREWING Co.

BRISTOL COMBINATION MAIN CUP FINAL

2024-2025

Nailsea & Backwell v Gordano

Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 7.45 pm

North Bristol RFC

Almondsbury, BS32 4AG

General Admission: £8 - card ONLY

Under 16s: Free

Bristol Referees Society Annual Dinner

The Bristol Referees Society Annual Dinner 2025

at Lockleaze Sports Centre

on Friday, May 16, 2025 from 7 pm

Tables of up to ten available

£30 per head

For tickets, email: treasurer.brrs@gmail.com

The passing of Weston-super-Mare RFC Head Coach Steve Worrall MBE

Weston-super-Mare RFC is shocked and saddened to report the passing of the Club's Head Coach, Steve (Barrel) Worrall MBE, on Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Steve was Weston-super-Mare's head coach between July 2011 and October 2014 before spending ten years with Chew Valley RFC, initially as Assistant Coach and then becoming Head Coach.

But Steve returned to Weston-super-Mare in mid-November 2024, where his drive and enthusiasm for the game were rewarded with two victories before the Festive break.

He spent several years as a coach at North Walsham RFC and Peterborough RUFC and as a player, head coach, and assistant director of Rugby with the Royal Air Force Rugby Union.

He captained the Combined Services against the All Blacks in November 1993, and Steve, playing at scrum-half, claimed the Services only points with a penalty from near half-way.

Steve's love of sport was not restricted to Rugby. He joined Uphill Castle in 2000 and opened the batting for the 2nds for many years. After retiring from league cricket, Steve went on to play for the Uphill Strugglers and the Uphill Castle Golf Society.

Having served over 35 years in the Royal Air Force and attaining the rank of Warrant Officer, Steve decided to leave the Service in January 2013. He started a new job within the Military Aviation Authority as a Civil Servant based at MOD Abbey Wood in Bristol.

In January 2014, Steve moved into the Explosives Safety Licensing Team Manager position within the Defence Ordnance Safety Group, still as a civil servant within the MoD, before returning to the aerospace industry as a manager within Combat Air's Crew Escape Systems Team.

Steve was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2011.

After discussions with Steve's wife, Jackie, the Weston-super-Mare 1stXV match at Thornbury on Saturday (January 4, 2025), kick-off at 2 pm, and Weston United's home game against Wellington 2ndXV, kick-off at 2.30 pm, will proceed as planned.

There will be a minute's silence before both games start, and the Weston players will wear black armbands.

Steve was widely respected and liked in many circles, not just in rugby, and his passing will leave a significant gap in those communities.

Weston-super-Mare RFC offers sincere condolences to Steve's family during this difficult time.

The funeral arrangements will be posted in due course.

January 3, 2025

Bristol & District Combination Cup Competitions – 2024/25

The final stages of the Combination Cup, Vase and Bowl Competition are below.

Combination Cup

Final

Nailsea & Backwell v Gordano Thursday, March 13, 2025, ko: 7.45 pm, venue: TBC

Combination Vase

Semi-Finals

North Bristol 18 Frampton Cottrell 31 (game 7)

Old Colstonians v Imperial (game 8) - Saturday, February 8, 2025

Final

Frampton Cottrell v Winner Game 8 - Saturday, March 15, 2025, Lockleaze Sports Centre

Combination Bowl

Final

Barton Hill v Avonmouth Old Boys - Saturday, March 15, 2025, Lockleaze Sports Centre

Full details of results can be found HERE

Updated: January 12, 2025

Full details of results can be found HERE

The passing of Whitehall and Bristol legend Daryl Hickey

The Whitehall RFC family is shocked and saddened to hear that former player, coach, and club legend Daryl Hickey passed away suddenly after a short illness.

Daryl had a fantastic career, playing for Whitehall and representing Bristol RFC before he returned to Whitehall to bolster our pack in his later years.

Daryl rolled up at Whitehall RFC, initially to enjoy the social side of the club. He was persuaded to turn out for the club’s 5th XV on the wing, but he worked his way up to the first team as a prop. In September 1980, he was in the Whitehall side, along with future Bristol star Ralph Knibbs, in a game at the Memorial Ground against Bristol Combination, celebrating the club’s 50th Anniversary.

Daryl was a regular member of the Whitehall front row when he was called up as a late replacement for his Bristol United debut in the match at Crumlin in November 1982. He played 17 United games in total during the season, scoring two tries, and he made his first team debut in the penultimate fixture of the 1982-83 campaign.

Bristol had reached the 1983 John Player Cup final, and they rested the entire first team for their away game at Coventry. Prop Chris Folland was at a wedding, and Daryl made his debut as a consequence. Happily, his fellow prop was Mark Tomlin, another product of Whitehall. After this, Daryl was a late call-up for Bristol’s tour to Zimbabwe at the end of the season.

Daryl was awarded his Bristol blazer at the end of the 1989-90 season, and in 1991-92 he was seen more frequently, playing 20 first-team games and scoring three tries. He made his final first-team appearance against Moseley in December 1994.

He played 143 first-team games for Bristol, scoring 11 tries. In addition, he played 152 matches for Bristol United, crossing the line 15 times and appearing once for Bristol A in the 1991-92 season.

Everyone will miss him. The Bristol & District Rugby Football Combination offer their sincere condolences.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

RIP Daryl.

All are welcome to Daryl’s funeral, which will be held at 12:30 pm. on Monday, December 2, 2024, at St. Augustine’s RC Church in Downend.

The service will be followed by committal and interment at Memorial Woodlands at 2 pm (Family and close friends only)

Everyone is welcome to the Wake at the Kendleshire Golf Club from 2:00 pm

(Bristol RFC information courtesy of Mark Hoskins)

November 16, 2024

The passing of Ashley Down Old Boys’ Jon Coole

Jon ‘Cooley’ Coole

Ashley Down Old Boys were saddened by the recent loss of their beloved “Cooley”.

Jon was a lovely man and a very good Wing-Forward who joined Ashley Down in the early seventies.

Jon played around 600 games for us and received a life membership in 2014.

Up until very recently, he watched us play EVERY Saturday and he was loved by all and known for his words of encouragement and his infectious smile.

Jon’s funeral service is this Friday, October 11, 2024, at St Margaret’s Church, Hinton Blewett, BS39 5AN at 12 noon.

Afterwards, there will be a wake at the ADOB RFC clubhouse in Lockleaze.

The family have asked for no flowers but any donations to Cancer Research would be very welcome indeed.

Jon had many friends in rugby and throughout the Bristol Combination and all of them are very welcome to attend and celebrate the life of this lovely man. Our thoughts and love are with Christine, Tom , Louise and all the family at this sad time

R.I.P Cooley

The Bristol Rugby Referee's Society (BRRS) Charity

Steve Leyshon sets himself a challenge

The BRRS Charity was created in during the 2018/9 season following Steve Leyshon's charity climb of Kilimanjaro. Since then it has been able to support a variety of financial awards to a range of good causes in the local Bristol Combination rugby family. For example, awards have recently been made to injured players, life saving equipment and support in bereavements.
To further raise awareness of the BRRS charity ...

In his second year as President, ex-Premiership referee Steve Leyshon has set himself a challenge of refereeing all Combination clubs (or as many as possible!) in the 2024/25 season.
In return, we ask that each club make a small donation to the Charity, say £50 but whatever you wish to contribute. It is, of course, voluntary and there is absolutely no obligation - and it is outside of normal match fees.
The contributing club (as well as getting Steve as referee!) will be presented with a commemorative pennant with the BRRS logo and acknowledgement of being a supporter of the BRRS Charity to proudly display in their clubhouse-

BRRS Charity

Mission statement: A charity run by passionate rugby people from Bristol in support of passionate rugby people from Bristol who are in need of financial support.

The charity’s purpose and how it will achieve this purpose: For the public benefit, the relief and assistance of those associated with amateur rugby in Bristol in need of financial support, by reason of injury, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage, by making financial grants.

The passing of former Combination President Sandy Mitchell BEM

It is with great sadness that we have to report that former Bristol & District Rugby Football Combination President N A (Sandy) Mitchell BEM passed away this morning (Ju/ne 28, 2024) after his long battle with illness.

It goes without saying what a huge loss this is to Bristol & District Rugby Football Combination, the Lockleaze Sports Centre, and the local rugby fraternity. Sandy will be very sorely missed by many.

Sandy was awarded the British Empire Medal in the 2024 New Year’s Honours list.

The citation reads:
British Empire Medal
Norman Alexander Mitchell. Chair of Trustees, Lockleaze Sports Centre.
For services to Sport in Bristol.

Sandy gave decades of service to Bristol & District Combination and Gloucestershire RFU and, of course, has been central in recent years to the development and success of Lockleaze Sports Centre.

He graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Bristol in 1962 and was subsequently awarded an MSc in Aeronautical Engineering.

For many years, Sandy was a Design Engineer at Rolls-Royce in Bristol.

He then joined the University’s Department of Aerospace Engineering. Mr Mitchell retired from the University in 2006 but continued to lecture and conduct project work.

Sandy has been a Clifton club member for many years and was appointed as a trustee of the club’s debenture scheme. On its conclusion, he was given the honour of becoming a Vice President as recognition of his diligence and work.

Our thoughts go out to Sandy's wife, Pat, to their three children, and to all of Sandy's family and friends of the great man at this very sad time.

Tony Swash

Hon. Secretary, Bristol & District Rugby Football Combination

June 28, 2024

Old Bristolians Past President Jim Berry Passes Away

It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the passing of Old Bristolians club stalwart and past president Jim Berry.

Jim a hard nosed prop forward whose previous clubs included Horfield Athletic, Keynsham & Bath joined OBs in their pomp in the early 1970s.

He was part of the great OBs side that did the double of merit table and Combination Cup in 1974. He then went on to play in the 1st XV until the early 1980's aged 50 before captaining a very successful and notorious 3rd/vets Xv with a number of ex Bristol players running out each Saturday. He played his last game on tour in Prague aged 65, but as we all know 'What goes on tour .....".

The funeral arrangements are as follows:

Service: Wednesday 5th June 2024, 12pm, South Bristol Crematorium, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS13 7AS
Afterwards, the celebration of Jim's life will continue at Old Bristolians Sports Club, Longwood Lane, Failand, Bristol BS8 3TQ
Fuller details can be viewed via the following web-link: https://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/funeral-notices/13-05-2024-james-alfred-berry/

For now we give thanks for a life well lived and send our best to Maggie, Rich and the family.

RIP Jim

May 22, 2024

Bristol & District Rugby Football Combination v Bristol Bears

Fourteen clubs are represented in the Bristol & District Combination squad to face Bristol Bears at Clifton RFC on Friday, May 3, 2024, kick-off: 7.30 pm, admission £5.

Scrum-half Sam Wolstenholme headlines the youthful Bristol Bears XV team partnering England U20 fly-half Sam Worsley. Harry Ascherl lines up in midfield alongside England U20 centre Joe Jenkins while Harry Rowson starts in an electrifying back three with Deago Bailey and Aidan Boshoff.

Highly rated Argentina U20 international Benjamin Grondona starts at No.8 alongside exciting young duo Kofi Cripps and Aaron Tull in a dynamic back row. The pack is completed by Sam Grahamslaw, Will Capon and Jimmy Halliwell in the front row, with Paddy Pearce and Joe Owen taking their place in the engine room at second row.

Bristol Bears Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “The combination clubs are a vital part of our rugby community, so it was great to bring this fixture back into our rugby calendar last season for the first time in many years.

“This season I’m sure will be another great evening where we have an opportunity to play a lot of young exciting talent coming through especially local players who have represented our Combination clubs.”

Bristol & District Combination squad: back three: Tom Bennett (North Bristol), TJ Hodgson (St Brendans), Ryan Goodman (Southmead), Noah Holmes-McAdam, Jack Thomas (both Gordano); centres: Marcus Brooker (Dings Crusaders), Kris Richards (Clifton), Jon Armstrong (Barton Hill), Devon White (Southmead), Billy Cantin (North Bristol); fly-half: Stuart Heal (Chew Valley); scrum half: Archie Stapleton, Mac Hill (both Dings Crusaders); props: Dean Brooker (Chew Valley), Harry O’Donnel (Old Redcliffians), Hugo Aniksztejn (BAC), Josh Lloyd (Dings Crusaders), Tom Price (Avonmouth OB); hooker: Billy Heal (Aretians); locks: Dylan Goodman (North Bristol), Nick Yiasoumi (Barton Hill), Shay Sainsbury (Clifton); back row: Charlie Ashcroft (Cotham Park), Chris McCann (Clifton), Jay Burley (Bristol Saracens), Jay Evans (Clifton), Toby Popple (Southmead).

Bristol Bears XV: Harry Rowson; Deago Bailey, Joe Jenkins, Harry Ascherl, Aidan Boshoff; Sam Worsley, Sam Wolstenholme; Sam Grahamslaw, Will Capon, Jimmy Halliwell, Paddy Pearce, Joe Owen, Aaron Tull, Kofi Cripps, Benjamin Grondona. Reps: Louie Trevett, Fred Davies, Andrew Turner, Peter Paramore, Gabriel Mann, Oscar Lennon, Gethin O’Callaghan, Henry Smeed, Ben Murray.

Bristol & District Combination Rugby Football Club’s first-ever women’s tournament.

Last Sunday (April 21, 2024) saw four teams fight for Cup and Plate places at the Finals Day on May 11, 2024.

The sun was shining and the rugby was strong from all competing teams.

Spirits were high as the squads competed in 30 minute games with some scorelines being worthy of 80 minute games.

Chew Valley Ladies v Winscombe Ladies kicked off the first game of the Inagural tournament and set the standards for the day closing with Winscombe v Avonmouth.

The rankings from the tournament has defined the finals as being Chew Valley v Winscombe in the Cup and Thornbury v Avonmouth in the Plate.

Big thank you to all the teams that competed and to the volunteers who supported the Combination to bring this competition to life.

April 23, 2024

More photos HERE

Invitation to play in Sunday’s Women’s Competition

Following some withdrawals from the B&DRFC Women's Competition on Sunday afternoon (April 21, 2024) at Lockleaze Sports Centre, I would like to invite any clubs to submit a combined / Baabaa's team should they so wish.

This is within the Women's Competition regulations, therefore if there are players who want / can play, but unable to go out as their own club, they are encouraged to link up with others.

Thank you in advance.

Francesca Golton

Women's Rugby Coordinator

Bristol & District Combination

07969 212 030

April 17, 2024

Bath Combination XV 8 Bristol Combination XV 12

A controversial red card after SEVEN minutes, saw the Bristol Combo down to 14.

A huge shift from everyone saw a 12-8 win against all the odds in a match played at Walcot Old Boys RFC.

An incredible effort by the Bristol Combo squad.

March 6, 2024

Bristol Referee Adrian Johnstone takes charge of his 1500th game

BRRS’ Adrian Johnstone took charge of his 1500th fixture at the Counties 3 Gloucestershire South game between Bishopston and Lydney 2ndXV at Bonnington Walk Lockleaze, Bristol.

An absolute stalwart of the Society, Adrian is a true servant to rugby in Bristol and this outstanding achievement is testament to his many years of voluntary service.

Adrian was ‘helped’ at the game by his two Touch Judges, BRRS President Steve Leyshon and Chair Andy Weymouth.

There was a good crowd to watch Lydney 2ndXV win 27-7.

Adrian is also the BRRS Treasurer and Midweek Appointments Secretary.

Adrian was interviewed live on Radio Bristol's 'The Scrum' programme on Tuesday evening, and you can listen to the interview via the following link and scroll through the programme to 36 mins. 15 seconds to pick up the start of Adrian's interview.

Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0h94pvt

Main photo courtesy of John White Media

More photos HERE