In Old Cats last league game of the season against London Irish (LI), the boys put on a performance that made themselves and the team proud.

It did initially look like the rugby gods were against us with some key people unable to attend, but such is the depth of our squad now we were able to put out a full team plus had substitutes, which were needed to keep up with the furious pace of the game which was played.
LI kicked off deep into Old Cats territory, despite great defending by Old Cats the pressure built and the dams burst, with LI pouring over Old Cats try line. There was a second quick try from LI. The rugby gods were definitely not here to help Old Cats, so the team had to help themselves. Old Cats boys huddled. The power of positive mental attitude can never be underestimated in rugby. Restart and now the match was on.

Old Cats working together as a team. The forwards were totally dominate in the scrum, pushing LI off the ball as if they were a minis team. Gaining the possession with Harrison handing the ball to our backs who could play their passing game, stretching LI and then looking for the gaps to break the lines. This was fantastic looking rugby. Rightly deserved, the next try came from Old Cats with Wills thumping across the line. So the match ebbed and flowed evenly matched the two teams going at each other, but played in great spirit. LI got another try, but Old Cats responded quickly with the Charlie ‘non- stopping express’ arriving at the LI try line at 11:24. Such was the pace of this game, the coaches had to rotate the squad so breaths could be caught, with the subs coming on and immediately getting stuck into the game.

Half time came Old cats knew that they were right in the mix and the match could of go either way. Time to dig into those reserve banks and get out there again.

Unfortunately LI struck first, but Old Cats heads refused to go down. Our next try came from a Old Cats put in scrum, our forwards doing what they have been doing all match pushing LI off and then Harrison picking up the ball with a couple of massive handoffs and then over the line. LI were them able to stretch out the lead a bit, but Old cats came back going over the try line twice during the match but the ball was deemed to be held up.

Full-time came it was Old cats 17: LI 36. (I think . . . . even I could not keep up with the pace of the game).

The game was lost, but the performance was definitely won!

As always, some boys need a special mention.

Our starting subs: James, JJ & Alex Davis, each coming on and able to get right into the mix immediately. (No mean feat given the pace of this game).

Our relatively new team members Luke & Chris. They have joined us at busy period of back to back matches and have been definitely chucked into the deep end, but you would never have known it. Both putting their bodies on the line for the team, making great tackles.

Ross – a captains’ performance marshalling, leading and getting stuck in.

However our man of the match has to go to Harrison. Fantastic tackling, game management and rounded off with an excellent try.

Some special thankyou’s need to go out to Blandy, Joe & Tony for helping Nick & Rocky in getting the best out our team. Also a big thank you to Mike for feeding the hungry boys. We now have two professional chefs and an army of rugby mums serving up fantastic food. The word will soon get out that Old Cats has the finest after match tucker in Surrey and everyone will want to play us at home.

The biggest thank you should be reserved for the Under 13 team, for yet another entertaining rugby match. We will take these performances all day long as they results will go our way more often than not.

Old Caterhamians RFC

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