Old Cats U14 A v. Old Rutlishians A - Surrey League 2.

Old Cats had a big reality check up at Park Rd yesterday against an accomplished Old Ruts team who attacked both at close quarters and wide out to devastating effect finding numerous holes in the home defence and exploiting them with deadly precision. Whilst a defeat like this one can be a bit chastening it should mean that we all take stock about where we are as a team and how we can improve for the rest of the season.

The conditions, though initially icy, were perfect for running rugby and so it proved as the teams shared 16 tries! Cats started well and after some good work by Scot and the front row winning one against the head Alex C went blind to allow Joe to dummy his way over and also add the extras from wide out. Back came Ruts after the boys failed to deal with a re-start ( a familiar pattern throughout the game) to score their first try after some try line pressure but the boys then had a reposte of their own when Alex C delayed his pass perfectly to send the returning Bow over in the corner. Back came Ruts with two scores from their speedy winger Silas and centre Sid which were answered by a typical score from Max M bringing the scores level. However, just on half time Ruts scored their fourth try to lead 22-17. By this time cats had lost the dangerous Seb to a broken collarbone (we wish him a speedy recovery) and early in the second half Nathan would also go off with a badly bruised shoulder.

In the second half Old Ruts really started to play as their big forwards and speedy backs combined to score some excellent tries. However, it was disappointing to see too many tackles missed and defensive discipline disappear. However, the boys kept playing with Bow, Will B and finally Will H going over for further scores which made sure of the try bonus point as consolation.

So there is a lot of work to be done which starts this Sunday at 10am sharp. Special mention to Bow who always looked a threat on the wing, Berts and Ollie for their brave defence, Jake Dymock for making an accomplished Lions debut and the mighty Arch for his rousing speech under our posts when heads were going down.

In 2015 it does not get any easier with Chipstead on the 11th and the all start Warlingham team on the 25th so we all need to knuckle down at training so we can get to the next level.

Finally thanks to Erica for doing the food, Dan for doing the food and the Clarks for doing the flags and everyone’s support.

Scorers: Bow: 2 tries, Will B: 1, Max M: 1, Joe R: 1, Will H: 1,
Joe R 1 conv, Alex C: 2 conv.

REPORT BY : Ed