Pitchero

London Media

Old Caterhamians

Tries

Unknown (2), C Neary (2), Z Uddoh (2), B Doney, M Wilson

Conversions

B Davidson (6)

la 17 helmi 15:00 - London & SE Division - Surrey 3 Full time

Report

Highlights

Selection

League round up

Match Report: Old Cats 1st XV vs London Media

By Harry Hopkins

Old Cats take over Battersea Park with crushing 59-7 victory

For the first time in a long time, the sun was out and the conditions were (relatively) good, as Old Cats travelled to Battersea Park to play London Media, a side who have struggled to get many wins, but have shown a lot of talent and power with a sizeable front 8.

The game began in Cats' favour with an early score from quick hands and precision moves from the OC backs, and we were off to a 7-0 lead with only a couple of minutes being played. This lead was stretch shortly after with another try, this time coming from the forwards with Freddie Page going over with a quick tap and go from short distance. The OC's front 8 were finding great form in the scrum, forcing the LM pack to retreat on almost every occasion, alongside stealing a handful of opposition lineouts, led by Alasdair Brown and Matthew Wilson, both imposing themselves in the air.

Having said that, a large majority of the first half was spent with the Cats effort being focused on defence in and around their own 22. Nevertheless the were able to shut out the opposition and prevented them from scoring in the first 40 minutes. After another OC score with inside centre Ben Doney (who was reeking havoc for his opposition back line with hard lines and crash balls) scoring yet again, the half time score was 21-0, and looking like Cats were well on their way to a great away win.

Second half brought with it more success for Cats with outside centre Matthew Maynard adding to his tally for the season and grasping the bonus point in the league table. Alongside these successes there were more challenges, and with a momentary lapse in the Caterhamians defence, the London Media number 8 was able to work his way over the line to close the gap slightly. This was a frustration for Cats, but they responded well with their very own number 8 Freddie scoring his second try of the game with power and surprising speed.

The forwards were practically an unstoppable force throughout the match, and they got the just-rewards with a lot of tries going down next to forward's names. Special mention to Conor Neary for finding himself in the opposition try area on not one, but two occasions! Substitute scrum half Zach Uddoh fought through an injury and played a useful role in the Caterhamian's second half domination and joined Freddie and Conor in the 2 try club, darting over from short distance from the breakdown to add an additional 10 points to his, and the teams' total.

At this point i'd like to congratulate Matthew Wilson for the 'Blooper of the season' award having worked hard to get over the line, and decided to leisurely place to ball nearer the posts to help Captain Ben Davidson convert an additional 2 points... BUT, he failed to consider a trailing defender who was in hot pursuit, who reached out and spiked the ball out of Willow's grasp, putting the ball dead and going away scoreless. A moment he would like to forget (but rest assured, we won't let him).

The final score was 59-7 to Old Cats, and this victory will hopefully lead them into a tough run in to the end of the season, with great momentum and desire.