Old Cats U15 vs Edenbridge U 15

Match Report by head coach Nick. Fantastic game of youth rugby.

It wasn’t the best of starts, the clock going forward didn’t help, 10:15 and the opposition were out and warming up and 5 old cats players were on the park.
This was reflected in the start of the match
1) Edenbridge come out all guns blazing, running some hard lines and hitting rucks aggressively, the apply sustained pressure and Old Cats are giving ground, Edenbridge apply the pressure and set up quickly, the ball is passed down the line one way, then the other, Old Cats are just not fast enough to scramble a defence and Edenbridge go over for the first try 0 – 5 to Edenbridge

2) No sooner have we kicked of and the ball goes back to Edenbridge and they apply the pressure again they run hard, fast direct lines, sucking in numerous Old Cats defenders, but the pressure starts to tell and Edenbridge are over again, this time in the opposite corner
0 – 10 to Edenbridge
If old Casts don’t wake up this is going to be a long day, at last they start to get some ball, and importantly learn to look after it, the forwards make some ground and the ball is recycled in the opposition 22.
3) The ball is released to the backs and some excellent decoy running sees Ross pass the ball out the back to Chris who cuts through the Edenbridge line, he’s brought down 5 meters form the Opposition line, but manages to pop the ball to Harrison in support whose over in the corner – 5 to Old Cats – 10 to Edenbridge

4) Kick off and Edenbridge drive up the field, Old Cats ill-discipline at the breakdown gifts Edenbridge the ball, whose pack drive forward and then release the ball for their backs to go over in the corner. The Extra points and Edenbridge extend their lead – 5 points to 17

5) Finally, Cats start to match Edenbridge’s aggression levels and put some phases together, sustained pressure wins them a penalty, Will taps quickly and Ross, whose having a great game is quick to react and goes over for a try. 10 points to 17

6) Edenbridge haven’t given up however, and despite Old cats ringing some changes, whose fresh legs add some great impetuses to the defence, it’s not enough to keep Edenbridge out and they are over for the score, half time and its 10 points to 22 to Edenbridge

Old Cats review the half so far and all acknowledge the better team in in the lead and are keen to do something about it, they start to match Edenbridge for aggression, some great running by James and some tough tacking by Harry isn’t enough to keep Edenbridge out of the Old Cats half, but the Old Cats defence is fantastic at sometimes it come close to boiling over, but discipline remains in check and for a solid 15 minutes Edenbridge are kept out in the corner being denied.

7) Edenbridge don’t give up, and aggressive play at the breakdown sees Old Cats tired defence give ground and yet another penalty is given away, a quick tap and Edenbridge are over in the corner 10 points to 27 to Edenbridge.

8) Old Cats haven’t thrown in the towel now though and a few changes and the refreshed legs make a difference, the ball is popped to Jesse who makes a great run down the middle, the balls recycled at the breakdown and Harrisons picks and goes for his second try of the match, Seb converts the extras and the match finishes and 17 points to 27.

What a great game, the commitment on the pitch was second to none, the forwards had the advantage over their opposite number in all set pieces, even the referee had to call them back at scrums to stop them driving the opposition of the ball, that being said the Edenbrdge forwards made up for it with their aggression at rucks and mauls.

The Backs had a tough day with some hard-running opposition but the Old Cats enthusiasm was noticeable in their urgency to get their tackles in, unfortunately in a few to many cases too urgent which didn’t go unnoticed by the referee.
The back row of Harrison, Will and Charlie were immense in defence and attack.

The fresh legs made a real difference when they came on with James, Jesse and Ephraim making some great yards with the ball.
Beau and Jon put in some great hits, as did Alex when he wasn’t flying though the air!
Callum, Drew and Toby made some try saving tackles and developed a fantastic scramble defence, Josh hot in the line back at Full back and put in some fantastic hits, but outstanding today was Ross who lead the defence and the attack and was instrumental in every area, but man of the match goes to Harry with some big hits and an all round defensive effort

Old Caterhamians U 15 17 v 27 Edenbridge U 15