Perseverance at the Pghitle

This local derby had the spectators on their toes till the final whistle. PJRFC were slow off the blocks with Old Cats converting territorial advantage into 2 early tries through some excellent rucking and support play, aided by poor defensive tackling by PJRFC. PJRFC took this challenge on and came back with a well worked out try through a counter attack involving the centre pairing of Reem and Jamie, and George aka Cracker finishing it off with a 50 yard run to score. The inspired PJRFC pack took the battle into the Caterham half and were duly repaid through Jules stealing spilled ball by Old Cats to equal the score 10-10. The Big Cat was not ready to be subdued, and came right back to score again through their forwards to finish the half 15-10 ahead. There was much soul searching among PJRFC forwards, and a rousing half time team talk by many wanting to take up the fight. Old Cats came fighting off the blocks and camped in the PJRFC half for the next 20 minutes, utilising Mungo and others to penetrate the PJRFC line, though some excellent counter rucking by Mole, MacHugh and Harry the hoocker, gave PJRFC some breathing space. Old Cats converted this pressure into 2 further tries, despite some excellent ball spilling tackling by flankers Mawer and Ben. The Back row with Paddy put the referee's whistle to the test, at times even Shakespeare would have exclaimed to be or not to be!! This hankering led to some much needed reprieve for PJRFC. The kick-off after the latter try was utilised by the PJRFC forwards to make good ground into old cats territory and after some dogged phase's of forward play, Jamie crossed over to start the come back. Old cats were not about to fold, and replied with a bit of individual brilliance by their cool and collected mature number 8. This was very disappointing for PJRFC, who were inspired into action through a rousing speech by Captain in waiting Paddy O'Neill. The resolute PJRFC went on to dominate the scrums and open play through some excellent tacking by Reem, Ben and Jamie, to facilitate darting runs by Norm, Del and Tom. The newest addition (scrum half) Aiden marshalled the troops at the base of the scrum with patience, facilitating some hard faught yards by forwards with ball in hand, unleashing Reem to the line, followed quickly by a penalty try by Cracker George for a high tackle, both scored under the post for converted tries. The scores were now Old Cats 32-29 PJRFC. The momentum was now with the PJRFC forwards, who put the Big Cat to the test at each scrum, and break down, leading to many cracks appearing in the Big Cat's defence and culminating in a final minute converted try scored by Ben. The palpable thrill at the Pghitle was matched by the shock of "how did we win that one!". PJRFC Marlins have much to be proud of in the immense sense of self belief and team effort they have fostered and the drag your mates through tough time without hand bags on the pitch, all of which was celebrated into the late hours of Saturday. Five games to the end and everything to fight for at the top of the table.