Old Cats U15 vs Sutton & Epsom

On a chilly Sunday morning Old Cats U15 took a trip to Sutton & Epsom. For various reasons Old Cats had a depleted squad and just managed to get 15 boys starting – with no subs. Well to take a positive out of this, subs was one less thing for the Old Cats coaches to worry about. From the look of the warm up, they had enough on their plates! Sutton & Epsom had a squad of crica 25 boys and in true rugby spirit, if the boys turn up then they will get some game time. To help all 4 x 15 minutes sessions was the format.

Kick off and to be honest we were just all amazed on how the Old Cats lads just switched on. First came Harrison to open the score sheet and then the flood gates started to open. The Old Cats boys started to control the game and confidence grew. It was amazing how the whole team pulled together. On numerous occasions you saw moves that started from deep within Old Cats half, going with moves straight from the training ground, from dummy runs, quick hands and them powerful finishing. In defence it was well organised, plenty of chatting, everyone knew their place and tackle after tackle came in.

As the game progressed, Old Cats won 3 of the 15 minutes sessions. The 4th 15 minute session saw some tired legs from Old Cats and with S&E putting on their big guns tries started to be let in. However the really positive thing about this game was that Old Cats would never stop giving 110%. With great defence and then with one of the last moves of the matches after being under the ‘cosh’ for much of the quarter, another try to put the cherry on the cake.

Game finished Old cats 62 with S&E somewhere between 34 and 45 (Sorry, we had difficulty keeping up with the Old Cats score never mind the opposition)!
This was such a big team game and to pull out individual performances is very difficult for me, so the below are some of Nick’s thoughts:

JJ has is best game in an old cats shirts, putting in some bog tackles in the first half and really putting his body on the line. Beau drove brilliantly bagging, supported by the rest of the team to bag 2 tries

The back row of Will, Leo and Harrison were awesome, stealing lots of ball, putting in some big hits and chopping their big runner down, not to mention some great go forward runs. demonstrated by Harrisons great runs of the base to bag 4 tries.

Paddy and Ben had a great game, Ben really got the runners in the backs fizzing and led by example, and showed the forwards how to steal ball at the breakdown.

Josh and Seb has the midfield sown up and took their backs out of the game Drew and Toby made fantastic runs down the wings and defended superbly and Ross managed the defence superbly from the back, closing the gaps and turning defence into attack.
Hard to call MOM and it was a 4 way time between JJ, Harrison, Ben and Leo, but Leo one it with his grit and determination to stay on despite taking several knocks and saving 2 certain tries by holding them up over the line!

Tries:
Will x 2
Beau x 2
Drew x 3
Harrison x 4

Conversions
Seb x 7

MoM - Leo