After a week of reflection from the Edenbridge game where Old cats put in a terrific performance, but did not get the result, it was time to host Crawley at the new ‘Hill Pavilion’. A place where the U15 team will try to make their fortress!

The warm up was good. Chants of Old Cats could be heard from the changing room. Then the boys came out and Old Cats looked to be fired up. However kick off and Crawley had an idea to spoil our debut home performance. Tackles coming in hard and fast which forced a few errors from Old Cats. Nerves needed to be settled down with a try, which came from a well worked team effort from the backs for Ross to finish off in the corner 5-0 to Old Cats.

However this seemed to spark up Crawley even more, charging their way up the hill, using there big artillery to punch holes in Old Cats. Old Cats never seemed to back away from the physical aspect of the game, however there is only so much defending you can do and Crawley went over, but this time they converted. 5-7 to Crawley.

If Old Cats first try was the backs making, our second try came from our forwards. Constant pressure in the middle of the park, bodies flying everywhere from the hits and then Will steaming over the try line with what looked like half of Crawley team on top of him. 12-7 to Old Cats.

Half time and the Old Cats coaches had their work cut out. Crawley now had the benefit of going down hill and we all knew they would use any advantage to full effect. Old Cats started to wobble, but Harrison made a blistering charge for Old cats to go over. 19 – 7 Old Cats.

Crawley would just not let the game go though and returned with a quick response for 19-12 to Old Cats.

Everyone watching the game knew that this could go either way. To add to things Old Cats penalty count started to mount to a stage where we went down to 14 men for a period of time due to the Old Cats team consistently not retreating by 10.

A team huddle required. Composure and concentration needed to be maintained. Then Old Cats started the hard slog up the field. Forwards and backs all working together and they forced a knock on by the Crawley team in their 22. Paddy spotting the gap on the blind side and supported by Toby went over to make the score 24-12 to Old Cats.

Great team performance by all 20 players. Everyone playing to their strengths which makes team selection even harder for Nick. A nice problem to have and a turnaround from a few seasons ago where the problem was have we got enough bodies for a team!
A few call outs for individual performances though.

Leo – made a number of turnovers and really nullified the Crawley maul. Getting his ‘paws’ on the ball and either ripping or not allowing Crawley to get the ball out. Took one for the team by coming off when our penalty counts mounted.

Harrison – blistering charges and great awareness to keep going after half tackles.

James – such a strong performance in the middle of the field. Doing all the unseen work to disrupt the oppo.

JJ – Wow, he certainly had his three Shredded Wheat! On fire with some great tackles.

Ben continued his great debut performance from last week before having to retire from the match early from a number of late tackles. The oppo targeting his play making of the game.

Man of the match has to go to Paddy though. Great awareness. Mixing the play up, knowing when to bring others into the play and when to back himself.

Great work lads. Always lessons to be learned – starting more sharply, look at the penalty counts, but a great win over a very physical opposition.

Tries:
Ross x 1
Will x 1
Harrison x 1
Paddy x 1

Conversions
Seb x 2

MoM - Paddy