Old Cats U15 vs Edenbridge

A score line which really does not reflect the performance!

Old Cats U15 opened their 2017/28 campaign with a trip to Edenbridge. A team who are unrecognisable both physically and tactically from our last encounter a couple of years ago. In fairness, you look around the Old Cats squad, we are also unrecognisable with new faces, grown physically and hair gel! This was all set up to be a terrific encounter.

The boys did not disappoint. With Old Cats kicking off with a high hanging ball which allows our speed merchants plenty of time to get up field and challenge. Both teams were going for this and the tackles came in fast and furious. Unlike previous seasons this is something which Old Cats did not back away from and really looked like they enjoyed. Edenbridge started to consolidate ground into Old Cats half, but the defensive shift was huge. The Old Cats kept pushing Edenbridge back. Our line speed was putting them under pressure and drawing the errors. Restarts and our scrum was solid – the best we have seen in a long time. It gave the perfect platform for Paddy bringing the backs into the game and play our way up the field.

However first score went to Edenbridge with wave after wave of attack with a well worked try in the corner. Old Cats heads would not go down though everyone knew the game could go either way.

Restart of the second half and Edenbridge again started to build territory, then with an interception pass from Ross and a couple of defenders to go through, he went up the field for a great try.

All square. Edenbridge came back with a very well worked team effort for another try. 10-5.
Old Cats were now starting to chase the game, not getting to the rucks quick enough, then over committing when the ball was lost which left gaps. Edenbridge tries started to come in the last 15 minutes. Score 24-5. In fairness though, Old Cats would not give up and the last 5 minutes was spent camped on the Edenbridge 22. However with the combination of Old Cats chasing the game and Edenbridge solid defence, the score remained at 24-5.

Pulling people out for special mentions is always going to be difficult in this game as all 19 team members can look at themselves and their team mates knowing they gave it their all, however we do need to mention the following:

Our front row combinations of Alex D, Beau, Jonathon & Harry. Gave the scrum a solid foundation.

Our new and returning members. Ben had an excellent debut performance, accurate with the ball and superb defensive shift. Oli returning to Old Cats and was really aggressive in attack making the difficult yards in the middle of the field.

Paddy – great distribution of the ball and some great tackles (one of them try saving)!

Seb and Harrison, upping their skills in tackling.

Ross – great show of hands and pace for the try. Also trying out new positions.

However our man of the match has to go to Josh M-L. Endless work in the middle of the field, great tackles, controlled aggression and forcing the errors for the opposition.

A great advert for youth rugby, coming off the field with mutual respect in a hard, but fair game. With a couple of minor tweaks, (which the coaches will address ) this could of been a different score line. Well done boys