The Old Cats Under 14 team took to the road and played a physical and very talented Old Ruts team. Our numbers were depleted as some key squad members had knocks, sickness or family duties which is to be expected this time of year. However such is the strength and depth of the U14 team now, we could still field a very talented squad and have a couple of spares.

Kick off and Old Cats set about their work, doing the basics right. Forwards were aggressive at the breakdown, securing the ball and then moving to the backs to stretch the opposition. Ruts were proving tough to break down though, both teams nailing their tackles and lines holding firm. Then Ross with a little chip over the line of Ruts for Chris to pick up, hold firm on a couple of tackles to go over for a good team try.

Restart and with Ruts confidence knocked a bit, Old cats asserted the pressure in all the right areas. Will managed to break Ruts line and charged through, out pacing the Ruts team to go over the try line.

Ruts got the hair dryer treatment from their coach and it was the wake up call they needed. At the restart Ruts started to get on the front foot. Retaining possession and making Old Cats work hard. In fairness Old Cats responded, tackles going in on the Ruts physically larger ball carriers and holding them up. However there is only so much defending you can do and Ruts capitalised on their possession to go over in a well executed team try. Half time could not come quick enough for Cats. They were on the ropes and they managed to get through the rest of the time without conceding. Half time it was 5-12 to Old Cats and the game was in the balance.

Half time pep talk from the coaches and Old Cats came out of the gates firing. Old Cats forwards, which was with a number of players playing out of position (not that you would know it) turning the screw. The backs getting into their stride with some impressive switch play. Breaking the lines of Ruts, which is where the next try of Old Cats came from with Seb powering over the line.

Ruts would just not let this game go though. They upped their game and made Old Cats work hard. With a large subs bench, all of them coming on with a fresh pair of legs and making an impact. Old Cats were now getting tired, you could see that their line speed was starting to diminish, making the tackles harder and the next try could only come from Ruts which it did. Restart and with Old Cats still trying to catch their breath from the previous 15 minutes of onslaught, missed a tackle and Ruts went over again and converted.

With 7 minutes left on the clock it was all tied on 17-17. Old Cats never panicked though (unlike some of the parents). They went back to basics, kept possession and make the opposition work. Patiently nudging Ruts back towards their try line. In the last few minutes of play and when the try line was in sight, Harry picking the ball up and nothing was going stop his first match try for Old Cats – a match winning try.
There was just time for a restart and then last play. Old Cats won 17-22.

Normally I would start to pick out performances and then man of the match. However it is just impossible to do this on such a strong 17 boy (playing like men) TEAM performance. Where could you start? Luke putting in untold tackles, Beau downing the largest Ruts team member like a sack of potatoes, Harrison proving to be a great all rounder playing in his third position in as many matches, Seb breaking the lines, Leo with a number of monster tackles, Harry for his first and match winning try. You can go through all 17 players and you would only see superb efforts which were all brought together like a 17 piece band playing their tune, entertaining the spectators for a great TEAM performance. WELL DONE BOYS!

Old Caterhamians RFC

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