The battle for second!

Old Cats kicked off and Farnham ran the ball back but good mauling saw Cats reclaim possession and Dan O made a good run to the Chobham 22 where the ball went into touch for a Chobham lineout. However Lewis won a good steal and after making ground passed to Dan D in support who took it on before passing to Will Morris who made ground, stepped inside one tackle and went over close to the posts for an excellent Cats try, converted by Rory. Cats 7 -0 Chobham. From the kick-off Dan D runs the ball back into the Chobham half but the ball is lost forward in the tackle, scrum Chobham. However a strong Cats scrum saw Toby take one against the head and Rory passes to Tom who draws two players before releasing Aaron who runs it in under the posts, converted by Tom. Cats 14 – 0 Chobham. The Chobham restart does not go 10 so Cats have a scrum on the half way. Quick ball goes through Rory, Tom, Aaron before Will Mac makes a good run before a good tackle takes him out by the corner flag. From the lineout Chobham win a defensive scrum where once again Toby takes a tight head and Lewis charges for the line but the ball is knocked out of his hands as he goes over. 5 metre scrum Chobham and good pressure from Dan O sees the clearing kick partially charged down for another lineout 5 metres from Chobham line. This time Chobham makes no mistake and relieve pressure with a kick out on the 22. Another good lineout by Cats and the ball is taken on by Toby, Tom and Lewis before Dan O takes it on the 22 and runs it in under the posts, converted by Rory. Cats 21 -0 Chobham. From the kick-off the ball is knocked on by Cats and Chobham get a scrum. Chobham get quick ball but kick it through where Ben fields it and runs it back. Will Mac takes it on but the ball is lost forward in the tackle and Cobham have the scrum. Another against the head by Toby and Tom puts a speculative kick through. From the ensuing ruck Cats come away through Toby who gets into Chobham 22 before Conor takes it on before releasing George whop shrugs off some attempted tackles to go over under the posts, unconverted. Cats 26 – 0 Chobham. Chobham put the ball out from the restart and George wins the lineout. Rory finds Tom who passed to Will Mac who runs it in from the half way, unconverted. Cats 31 – 0 Chobham. From the kick off Will Morris takes a good catch and runs it back, before Rory takes it on and makes good ground to Chobham half. At the next breakdown the ref blows his whistle for half time and Cats reflect on a job well begun to sit at 31 -0.

Chobham kick-off to start the second half and although the ball does not go 10, Conor picks it up and runs up the tram lines into the Chobham 22. Passes to Toby in the tackle and then continues to support by taking the return pass but is tackled inches short of the line. Good support play from Jack who picks up the ball and scores in the corner, unconverted. Cats 36 -0 Chobham. Cats start to relax and Chobham immediately put pressure on, camping in the Cats 22 and getting close to the line several times but staunch Cats defence (with Jack, Dan D and Ben to the fore) keeps them out. From a lineout 10 metres form the Cats line, Matt picks up the loose ball and makes good ground up to the half way before the covering defence tackle him but good support again by Toby sees him take it on to the 22 Chobham territory. Cats win the lineout and Toby breaks clear but is tackled on the line and the ref signals double movement so Chobham relieve their lines to the 22. Another good lineout win and the ball is passed along the line to Will Mac who is tackled just short with the ball going forward. From the Chobham defensive scrum Toby takes another tight head with Lewis picking and going but pulled down just short but excellent supporting play by Rory sees him pick up and go over for another Cats score, converted by Rory. Cats 43 -0 Chobham. Chobham again kick the ball out from the kick off and the lineout is again won by Cats who spread the ball wide and make ground into the Chobham half. Ball won by Chobham but turned over by Toby who feeds Rory who spots space on the blind side and feeds Jack who is tackled into touch 15 metres out from Chobhams line. From the line out the ball is fed out and Aaron makes ground to within 5 meters where Chobham are penalised for offside at the ruck. Rory takes a quick one and goes over in the tackle for his second score of the game, unconverted. Cats 48 – 0 Chobham. Chobham again fail to make 10 from the restart and Cats have the scrum on the half way. The ball goes loose and is well picked up by Ben who runs down the tram lines for a good score, and he also converts his own try. Cats 55 -0 Chobham. From the kick off Chobham regain possession and kick through but it is well fielded by George who makes good ground to Chobham’s 22. Ball unplayable and the Ref blows for full time. Cats run out worthy winners 55 -0 Chobham.

This was another excellent team performance from Cats where every player, whether starting or coming on from the bench, contributed. The scrum was solid putting Chobham under severe pressure and enabling Toby to take several strikes against the head. The front row of Dan O, Toby, Conor and Oskar and Sean when they came on ensured that Chobham had little quality ball with all of them contributing to the driving play. Jamie and George performed superbly in the tight, as did Jan when he came on, putting in the hard yards and winning good ball in the lineout. Dan D, Will Morris, Lewis and in the second half, Ieuan ensured any loose ball was won by Cats and provided good support to all the ball carriers. Rory worked hard ensuring the right options were taken and justifiably scored two excellent tries while Tom directed the back line and ensured good ball distribution. Scott came into the fly half position in the second half and had a good game ensuring Cats continued to go forward. Will Mac, Aaron, Jack, Matt, Kieran and Oscar had plenty of opportunities to run at their opposite numbers as the forwards provided good attacking ball. Ben had another strong game at full back, with some good running and support play rewarded with Cats last try. It was difficult to pin down one player with everyone holding up their hands but for his excellent work in the scrum and general all round performance Toby was named man of the match. All in all another excellent team effort with the result just reward for all the hard work put in by the team.