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So, hands up.
How many of you thought that the 63-59 score line the last time these sides met was a freak result? Lots would be the response,
So going in to last Sundays match up there was surely no chance of a repeat prescription for the players and fans of these two sides was there?
The game kicked off on the hottest day of the year with the Cats sporting new look jerseys from kit manufacturer Ben Sport, winning the toss and receiving the ball. The Exiles playing in to Coldhams familiar wind (from where it comes no one knows) kicked off short and confusion reigned, a short kick which held in the wind and landed between the front and second line was fielded by the Exiles in one of the strangest opening kick-offs likely to be seen this year.
Kinder Mann intercepting Kents 1st drive. |
The Exiles playing in to Coldhams familiar wind (from where it comes no one knows) kicked off short and confusion reigned, a short kick which held in the wind and landed between the front and second line was fielded by the Exiles in one of the strangest opening kick-offs likely to be seen this year.
From the turnover, Kent took to the air, driving in to the Cats red zone until Kinder Mann picked off a shot at the end zone. And then a collector’s item. Following a dropped pass The Cats were forced to PUNT!!! This was not what we came to see. Luckily normal service was resumed three plays later QB Aaron Griffiths hit his man over the middle for a 50yd score to get the ball rolling on what would prove to be another shootout.
Casey Campbell on another mazy run |
Cat’s newcomer Casey Campbell would respond only four plays later with a mazy run, breaking tackles and gliding in to the end zone from 35yds to tie the game at 7. Casey and fellow Running Back Josh Gilreath have added another dimension to the Cats this year with both there running ability and there hands out of the backfield, giving the Cats a formidable backfield pairing.
The scoring continued, Griffiths making the most of a broken play to score on a 4yd sneak, the extra point however was no good giving the Exiles a 13-7 lead, before his opposite number Tommy Durkin scrambled in from 20yds out in a way only Tommy Durkin can. Another long drive by the Exiles on the back of the safe hands of Clive Palumbo saw the Exiles re-establish the lead, this time on the ground through Sean Starwind. The Cats were then forced to punt giving the Exiles the ball with a chance to improve their lead however a fumble by Harry Innis saw the ball return to the Cats.
The Cats took full advantage, Gilreath scoring on the next play from a 60yd pass to return the lead at 21-20 at the half.
Mike Revell unable to hang onto the ball under pressure. |
It didn’t last long however the exiles scoring on another long pass.
The Cats promptly marched up field and looked to have scored again as Mike Revell found himself open in the end zone only to see the perfect pass slip from his grasp, his third drop of the game. Would this be the defining moment of the game? All was forgotten three plays later as Durkin again hooked up with Gilreath for a 3ys TD pass to give the Cats a breathless 28-27 lead.
The scoring showed no signs of relenting, only missed extra points separated the teams, TDs’ from Gilreath on another 40yd pass, Durkin on a 10yd scramble together with a two point conversion from Nate Ashby keeping the Cats in touch following a TD and Field goal for the Exiles.
The Cats, leading by 43 to 35, were starting to scent victory, however, the next kickoff was taken 69yds to the house to bring everybody on the Cats sideline back to earth with a resounding bump. Palumbo again proving too hot to handle snared the grab for two points to tie the game at 43.
The Cats however were keeping their nerve, and with great improvisation Tommy Durkin found Zach Harris Wide open down the side line to take the Cats in to the lead with only 3 minutes remaining on the clock. Surely that would seal the deal…
Zach Harris Wide open down the side line |
No. Palumbo took the ensuing kick back to the Cats 30, to set up a tense finish. The Exiles, trusting their passing game, got to within striking distance before Nate Ashby popped up again, picking off Griffiths on the 3yd line. One more first down would win it for the home side.
It would never be that easy though and following a three and out, the Cats punted in to the arms of Palumbo who steamed for the heart of the Cats coverteam, breaking tackles and racing to the end zone. A louder silence has never been heard on the sideline of a Cats home game. But it wouldn’t be that simple. A flag called the kick back. Cue sighs of relief. Under two minutes remained but the Exiles refused to lay down and three plays later tied the game at 50. Griffiths again connecting with Palumbo.
With 1:20 to play surely we were heading for a tie? Again No.
Mike Revell shows his metal with the game winning TD. |
The Cats looked to the leadership of Durkin and the play Calling of Coaches Shaw and Kuheana and came up with the goods for a final time, on a broken play, Durkin hit Harris down the sideline for a huge gain setting up first down inside the redzone, before a pass to Mike Revell who redeemed himself for earlier errors by Hauling in the TD to put the Cats up 57-50 with seconds remaining. Kent had one final shot at the tie but Griffiths pass to Palumbo fell short as four tacklers took man and ball to secure the win for the Cats.
This was a huge moment for Revell, for in the first fixture he had let slip a catch in the Kent end zone that would have given the Cats the game, although damaged fingers on his right hand may have been the cause, Mike will be certainly standing somewhat taller for the next game against the Cobras in London.
With this result the Cats move to 2 and 1 on the season and will look to improve on that in next weeks encounter with the side that knocked Cambridge out of last season play-offs.
All images courtesy of TW Photography |
