Sunday saw the cross Cambridgeshire rivalry recommence, for the first time in Division 1 of the BAFL. The Saxons looking to rebound from successive defeats took on the Cats whose offence ranks second in all of Britain.

For the first time this season, the Cats were without Defensive Captain Martin Brown, and his absence was felt before the first whistle as the coin toss was lost for the first time all season. The Saxons however could not take advantage of starting with the ball as the Cats Defence maintained the momentum from last weeks shutout of the Norwich Devils, forcing the Saxons to punt the ball away. 

Josh Gilreath runs in to score.

The Cats first drive of the day set the tone, with hard running from Josh Gilreath and the laser guided arm of Tommy Durkin. In a matter of moments Durkin found Gilreath with a pass over the middle to put the Cats in to the lead. Cats Kicker Steven Bright however could not add the Extra point.

The subsequent Saxon drive was typified by brutal running, on every down, until Adam Gumbs rumbled in to the end zone to first, level up the game, and then take the lead on another run for a two point conversion. The Cats would start the Second quarter behind, , although in typical cats fashion it took just 7 plays for Durkin to hook up again with Gilreath for a 20yrd score. The Cats were forced to take a gamble on the 2pt play, and came good, this time Durkin found Brandon Schooley from 3yrds out to grab the lead back.

Tommy Durkin links up with Brandon Schooley

From the Resulting kick off the away side caught a huge break as the Saxons returned the kick off deep in to Cats territory only to see a penalty flag way back on their own 45yrd line, moving the ball backwards. The Saxons however still sticking to their smash mouth football pounded the ball all the way to 6 points, Cats old boy Tim Johnson getting the crucial yards and tying the score up yet again.

Spectators at this years cats games would not have been surprised to see Gilreath storm the kick off to within 30yrds of the Saxons end zone and on the next play Schooley snaffled the Durkin pass to restore the Cats lead only seconds after relinquishing it. Durkin added two more by scampering to the end zone on the conversion and the lead would be 22-14 at the half as on the following Saxons drive, Kinder Mann picked off the Saxons QB to foil any attempt to hit back before the break.

After adjustments at half time the Cats took to the field determined to put the game to bed and looked almost certain to have done this following the 60yrd pass from Durkin to Gilreath, unfortunately the flying Cats Running Back was hauled down at the 3yrs line to prevent a classic touchdown and leave Gilreath seething at the missed opportunity. He made amends three plays later however by trucking the ball home for the TD and extend the Cats lead to two touchdowns.

A scorching game on one of the hottest days of the year.

TFans at this years Cats games have been treated to some amazing feats of skill, however few match the amazing 85yrd kick off return Dervan Alleyne served up on the kick off. Alleyne made player after player miss as he danced his way to the house and cut the cats lead in half. Another long day was in store for the Cats travelling supporters as the points began to mount up, although the Offence seemed to want to get out of the Fierce heat as on the next play from kick off, Durkin found the increasingly impressive Gilreath for his 4th TD of the day.

The Saxons would respond , again through Alleyene but the shackles would be broken as the Cats took over with a 35 yard TD from Durkin to the hero of the Kent Exiles game Mike Revell to make the score 42-28, the touchdown would force the Saxons to scrap their run first attack and go to the air, which played in to the Cats hands. The Saxons were forced to punt and pinned the Cats at their 3yrd line. Thinking the game won, Coach Shaw of the Cats sent in new signing Josh Bartimus at Quarterback to rest Durkin. However he was unable to move the ball and the Cats would punt again giving the Saxons the ball.

Jonny George comes away with the fumbled ball

On the next drive the Saxons moved the ball to the cats 3yrs line before fumbling the ball, Cats Linebacker Jonny George pouncing on the loose ball, surely killing the game. But as the Cats fans will know, its never that simple, the next play, Gilreath ran the ball 85yrds for a touchdown to cap a magical MVP performance, the game would finish 50-28 in favour of the Cats, maintaining their unbeaten record over the Saxons. With the Victory the Cats move in to 2nd in the South East conference behind the unbeaten London Cobras and 6th spot in Division 1 Nationally, with a huge chance of a place in the playoffs for promotion the Premier League.

The Cats next fixture is at Coldhams Common in Cambridge on the 19th of July against the Ipswich Cardinals who will look to bolster their own play off hopes with victory. Every game on the schedule is now a must win, and fans will be sure to be given an exciting, thrill a minute ride that is this seasons Cambridgeshire Cats, and as a warm up, the Cats Junior Team will play before the Senior side against the Tamworth Phoenix, one of Britain’s most successful youth programmes.

Game report by Dougie Andrews, All images courtesy of TW Photography