Match Report Sunday 15 November – Surrey League Game A Team vs. Warlingham

A mild, mid-November morning in Warlingham; a crack squad of talented junior rugby players and our first league game of the season (following a number of successful ‘friendlies’). We could not have hoped for a better start than to meet our local rivals, Warlingham, even if it was an away fixture.

Preparations had gone well and the players arrived at the pitch resplendent in their new kit, kindly sponsored by Davies Enforcement and Park & Bailey. At the whistle, both teams – and the score – were even…. but that would change dramatically: Old Cats fielded the ball from the kick and drove using the forwards to make immediate progress, before moving the ball to the backs. Ollie Henke spotted a gap in midfield, rounded the full-back, who had a torrid afternoon before being replaced, and touched down over the line after no more than 2 minutes had elapsed! The vast Old Cats Barmy Army went wild, then muttered about last year’s fixture before Ali Connor converted and the crowd hushed for more.

Within 10 minutes Old Cats had gone over twice more with tries from Andrew Fanthorpe and Asher Stephens, both resulting from superb forward control and flowing back movements. Ali converted Asher’s try from the touchline, to the amazement of those in the crowd, who had not witnessed Ali’s kicking prowess in training. Andrew Fanthorpe went over again, as did Kyren Ghumra, Kieran Pacey, Ali Connor, Ollie again and Liam Chambers. During this time, Warlingham had taken the ball in to Old Cats territory just twice and the defence had held firm – the coaches were unable to find fault at this stage as the forwards dominated at set-pieces – Messrs Jackson and Burke reigning supreme at the line-out and collectively putting on pressure at the scrum - and at the breakdown; the backs found that they were able to create at will with such good, clean ball.

At the 20-minute mark the coaches started to miss the names of the 7 tries scored, but realised that we had exceeded the magical 40-0 scoreline. The league game was effectively over as the ref blew early for half-time on the agreement that all of the travelling players would play a full second half, which would revert to a ‘friendly’ fixture (against Warlingham?). It was more of the same in the second half with further tries from Christian Becksmith, Will Holmes, Kyren G, Liam C, Asher, Alfie (and if I have missed anyone out out, I apologise!). Whilst the final score was 81-0 after a much reduced game (20 mins each way), it was the manner of the victory and the style and intent of the players, which will stay with the fantastic supporters and coaches. Old Cats defence was resolute, when called upon; our technique in every facet of play was exemplary; our aggression at the breakdown and communication in attack and defence was all that we had worked on in training. Above all, the pace of play and interaction between forwards and backs should leave us with confidence – rather than complacency – for the tough games ahead. Not a single player could be selected to rise above the following as ‘Player of the Week’:

Team:
Liam Chambers, Christian Becksmith, Tom Thornley, Sam Herman-Wilson, Gavin Jackson, Sam Bushell, Kieran Pacey, Alfie Vincent, Ed Merrett, Will Holmes, Ali Connor, Ryan Highgate, Ollie Henke, George Perry, Asher Stephens, Andrew Fanthorpe, Ryan Norman, Kyren Ghumra