A week after the cancellation of their home meeting with Old Wimbledonians on the 20th of January, Old Caterhamians RFC travelled to Doman Fields in Morden for their Counties 2 Surrey fixture against Old Amplefordians RFC.

The two sides met back in October when Cats gained a 21-0 home victory but despite ten losses so far this season Amplefordians had registered some encouraging results.

Cats, fielding several changes to their regular starting XV, took an early lead. Six minutes into the game an initial break by Theo Kenyon eventually lead to a Cats penalty. Scrum half Zach Uddoh took a quick tap and go and off loaded for Matt Brown to score. Tom Clayton added the extras to give the lads a 0-7 advantage.

As the game progressed it was evident that Amplefordians were up for this match and continued to put Cats under a fair amount of pressure until they eventually drew level. It was game on at 7-7 after 25 minutes.

Cats started to struggle as the opposition ran in two more tries and a conversion to make it 19-7 at half-time.

The second half saw a more confident start for the boys. Advancing from the half way line, a Tom Clayton break saw the inside centre off-load to George Nye who put first team debutant Juai Charles in to score in the corner.

The 19-12 scoreline started to look more encouraging but Cats then conceded back to back penalties, which were put way by the Amplefordians kicker to extend their lead to 25-12.

Unfazed by the situation Cats fought back. From a scrum in front of the opposition 10 metre line another break by Tom Clayton set up full-back James Hanson who brilliantly offloaded for Theo Kenyon to touch down to make it 25-17.

Was a comeback on the cards? Cats continued to press forwards and a penalty was awarded 5 metres out. An Oscar Nye carry was recycled quickly, Zach Uddoh fed Thomas Clark who popped the ball to Will Runge on the overlap for a positive 25-22 scoreline.

Sensing the chance of victory Cats were soon back on the opposition 5 metre line as they worked the ball out wide for George Nye to score the corner. A remarkable comeback complete at 25-27 or was it?

Minutes to go and Amplefordians claimed a hard fought victory. From a lineout on Cats 10 metre line their number 15 made a line break, the ball was quickly recycled for a clear run to the try line. The conversion was successful and a 32-27 victory was secured by the jubilant home side.

Although it wasn’t the result they hoped for, Old Cats showed great spirit to score four second half tries and get into a winning position. The loss certainly won’t be forgotten and will serve as great motivation to get back to winning ways.

Full Time Score: Old Amplefordians 32-27 Old Caterhamians
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Despite this disappointing loss, Cats did pick up two bonus points moving them one point closer in the Counties 2 Surrey League to third placed Chipstead who were also defeated at the weekend.

On Saturday 3 rd of February Cats welcome Old Whitgiftian RFC to Park Avenue. This will be the first meeting of the two sides this season as Cats were awarded an away win back in November last year.