Mighty Marlins set pightle alight with spirit and pahnash

This game had all the hallmarks of a local derby , with bragging rights over the holiday period. Marlins took to a part frozen pitch with a depleted squad of 13, though stand in captain Will Walters, was clear from the outset that he would only settle for a victory. This self belief inspired the squad and cajoled the team into action.

Old Caterhamians- “Old Cats” set out to exploit the extra man, and stretched PJFRFC in defence, this exposed the blind side, with no wing in defense, Old Cats put the full back- Marc Trumper under pressure, though excellent tackling by Trumper, kept the score line at bay. PJFRC were caught off side in defence, and Old Cats set up subsequent rucks from which they utilized the blind side space to score their first try, and lead 5-0. A determined Marlins side, stepped up to the mark and competed well in loose play, throwing bodies at rucks and into decisive tackling, with Back row forwards Ben Tompkins and Dan Wright leading the way. Though again, Old Cats spread the ball wide and found an over lap, to score their second try, and lead 10-0. This seasoned Marlin side, have learnt to keep their heads up in adversity, and so they went about throwing their weight about in the Line outs, with new found towering Tony Mawer, spoiling opposition ball and securing a good platform for the backs to start attacking rugby, and this paid off, when PJRFC marlins made the hard yards in mid-field through their centre combination-Jamie Velderman and Kareem MacKenzie, akin to the Kiwi pair, Bunce and Little, to set off new winger Alex to score their first try, and pull the game back to 10-5. Old Cats were pegged in their own half for the next 15 minutes, through some excellent counter rucking to steal opposition ball, and some excellent support play to keep the ball alive. Again good attacking ball from the base of the scrum was guarded well by Ben Tompkins and Dan Wright, allowing Will Walters, playing scrum half, to make some incisive runs through the defence. Will was aided by Jules, Del, marauding Mawer and Bilchy, who kept the ball alive to set the backs in motion again, and this time Kareem broke through the line to score and level 10-10. This seemed to rouse PJFRFC spirits, and from the restart, veteran Bilchy and Tony Mawer, took the fight up to Old Cats territory, the ensuing ruck was won, and a spark of magic from Tom Parker, playing fly half, saw the ball kicked over the opposition back line, to be picked up and scored but Reem, for his second try, and Marlins led the half ahead 15-10. A difficult conversion by Dan Wright, from the corner, added 2 more points, and the Marlins led, 17-10.

The second half was going to be tough, with a man down, though Old Cats lost a player to the Sin Bin, and this evened up numbers for a short spell. Old Cats were determined to make a come back, and tested PJFRFC repeatedly through several break through’s, though Marc Trumper, remained an impenetrable wall, in defence, aided by some excellent cover tackling by Ben Tompkins, Jules, Tom White and Del. Old Cats were able to add a penalty to their score due to the offside trap, catching out returning veteran-Jules, on at least a couple of occasions! With the score at 17-13, PJFRFC sought to close the game with a further score. PJFRFC forwards did well to secure good ball off line outs and win opposition ball from excellent counter rucking to force errors, and win penalties in succession, this enabled Will Walters to marshall his troops and link backs and forwards in open play. Will was rewarded with a try to lead PJFRFC 22-13 Old Cats. Old Cats Made several forays into PJFRFC half, though came up against an impenetrable defence, with backs and forwards throwing bodies at, what seemed waves of attacking forwards. This ferocious tackling saw Old Cats lose 4 players to injuries. PJFRFC Marlins will be pleased with this win, against all odds, with men down and fighting to the end. This win makes it 5 games undefeated for the Marlins, and a growing belief that, as always it is mind over matter.

To finish the day in style, there was a charity cake sale at the club, in aid of Lepra- picture enclosed. Till next year