It really does depend on the circumstances.
Given you had bigger people than yourself in this particular circumstance, then the group uses this to it's advantage.
Remember Rescue is primarily a group activity (if you're going to bring someone out).
It is possible on a simple short one drop pitch to haul someone up by yourself with just a microtraxion and ascender/descender combo. (as long as you know how to use a microtraxion) using one in anger before having familiarised yourself with hauling AND lowering is not a bright idea.
which is why you need both the ascender and descender combo.
with more people, ropes and 2 pulleys you could get someone up two easy simultaneous pitches or a broken pitch with just four people using the Spanish pendulum. (French cave rescue)
other than these methods, you're into the "crevasse style" rescue your mates did for hauling someone to the top of the pitch. Jammers and a belay device are the method used to set up the Z rig.
If you're just caving and trying to get someone out of a tight spot you'll probably choose to use one line.
but if you're British cave rescue then it's two separate ropes on two separate Z rigs, one as the primary line and one as the backup.
In you're particular case I would potentially take a spare rope (A) long enough for "the pitch", approach the casualty however you can in the circumstances, if the rope below is not attached to a bolt and goes to the floor then use the end dragging on the floor(B).
take the rope (A or B) and using an acending device (detatched handjammer) place it on the tight line above the casualty (and you) this will act as your abseil rope clip your short and long into their harness and prussik up a little till the slack is out. rig the descender [maybe steal the casualty's] on the abseil rope ensuring that as much of the slack has been taken out as possible. take your croll off and shift your weight onto the descender, test the descender (tiny test).
ensure you take your handjammer off, now the bit you have to get right, cut the [TIGHT] rope underneath the ascending device that you're going to leave behind, this will drop the casualty onto your harness! so be prepared.
Then you lower both of you carefully to the ground.
There is a book that explains all of this (with pictures) much better than I can. The book is the caving technical guide produced by the SSF.
I'd suggest buying it from Tony Seddon when he's next down your way, Mendip?
he's there this weekend
https://www.starlessriver.com/news/?page_id=200
https://starlessriver.com/shop/books_and_calendars/caving_technical_guide
But get out there with a few friends and try out some techniques, I think the Wessex have a tower that they use for practice? any others down that way?