Surrey League Div II Old Cats 13 – 7 Cobham RFC.

Surrey League Div II Old Cats 13 – 7 Cobham RFC.

In truth this was a game we could have lost last season but with plenty of spirit and no little skill the boys came through to clinch an excellent win against a strong Cobham outfit.

On a very damp pitch at Park Avenue and with a number of “totum” players missing Old Cats started with great composure with Max M leading the way. The forwards dominated the breakdown with some excellent rucking whilst both lineout and scrum functioned well. The first score came from a scrum in midfield and a nice switch by Joe allowed the always dangerous Will H to put Bow away who scored with his usual panache.

The conversion was missed but from the re start Ollie S claimed it superbly to make a bullocking run deep into the opposition half where he was promptly met by the Cobham No. 8 in a fearsome collision which saw Ollie leave the field with a concussion. He was replace by Felix who did really well in his first game for Cats in the 2nd row position. The forwards continued to batter away with Lewis, Ollie R and Rob all carrying to good effect.

Max M almost scored after a charge down but was not be denied a second time when he stormed over from a No8 pick up. Again, Cats battered away at the opposition line but Cobham showed great spirit and tenacity to keep the boys out. Will H made another good break and was just denied on a kick and chase and then the boys passed up an easy 3 pointer in the front of the posts and saw their tap penalty snuffed out.

10 - 0 at half time but now playing up the hill!

Cobham came out of the blocks fast and were soon breaking into Cats territory. Cobham kicked well and probed round the fringes with their No8 prominent. Cats managed to repel a number of attacks with the returning Luke snaffling a couple of lineouts at crucial times. Eventually, the Cobham pressure told and they scored a converted try with 15 minutes left. Things looked to get worse when Cobham were awarded a penalty in front of the posts but this was missed.

From the ensuing drop out Joe landed it perfectly to get us up to the half way from where the forwards started to take charge lead by Ollie R and Joe J. The front row started to dominate with Berts and Scott to the fore in the loose. The last 5 minutes were played in the Cobham 22 and it was great to see both Tom and debutant Henry getting action on the wings even in the damp conditions.

Fittingly, the game ended with Alex, who came off his sick bed to play his best game for Cats, slotting a 3 pointer, to see us home.

This was a victory for all 19 boys with two on debut and a third starting in a position he had never played for us before. Special mention to Ollie R whose work in the loose and carrying swung the game in the second half and to all the support from both parents and boys (playing and injured) which created such a good atmosphere.

We now sit 3 from 3 with a game in hand over E&L and Chobham and with depth in the squad growing by the week these are interesting times!

Regards,
Ed.