Cathays began their campaign in the unfamiliar territory of WRU Division 6, south central of 2013/2014 as champions. However that champion taste was not the lasting flavour of the day as Cathays RFC fell to a disappointing defeat against the Llanrumney first XV.
Having a number of current squad injuries and absences did not help the travelling men in blue, with the squad forced in to a couple of last minute changes. Simon Fry having to move to the bench, Mathew Hillier promoted to the starting line up, and Bing slotted in to fill the void left at fullback.

Llanrumney began the stronger of the sides, scoring very early on under the posts to disrupt the confidence of the Cathays team. The situation not helped by the early substitution of the Gigantic "I'd shove it up you" Gee through injury, replaced by the ever reliant Cully.
This was not a performance that will live long in the memory of Cathays as heads dropped from the outset.

Cathays had a half to forget as the Llanrumney men in red crossed the line 3 times in quick succession from the kick off. The defence of Cathays were unlike old as players fell off tackles and allowed the men in red to run riot. To sum up the half the Cathays men were shell-shocked and dare I say disheartened. This was compounded further shortly before the break with the Behemoth Bowder adding to his collection of yellow cards. - “I know I was rucking on the wrong side… BUT……” His pleas for mercy were not convincing to the referee and he was dismissed for ten.
Half time could not come soon enough. A rallying, and frank team talk from Skipper Ade (not to mention Coach Fish threatening to send us all to bed early with no tea, and very little booze!) sparked the Cathays outfit in to life, with Cathays getting in to the unknown territory of this game: the Llanrumney 22.

The Cathays pack stepped up nicely to the new scrummaging rules, leading to a combination between the creatures that are Mad dog and Badger culminating in a penalty within striking distance.
3 points to the better would all the Cathays cowboys could muster on this opening day, as the points on offer were smoothly slotted over by fly half Jez.

With the scores set at 17-3 another penalty opportunity arose for Jez, alas further out than previous, however much like the Cathays day the points slipped by the right hand upright.
The fiery redheaded Fooks demanded more from his fellow forwards, attempting to disrupt the Llanrumney pack with his craving of the ball, taking a wallop to his snout for his troubles earning some recoup time in the blood bin.

Llanrumney were quick to add their extra 3 tries through an interception score and sloppy tackling to put a resounding seal on the match. The jinky footwork of Bing, combined with safe hands of Hiller, and the introduction of Kyle holder in the centrefold (not a typo, the man is a forward/back/forward/back) could not capitalise on the pace that Cathays possess. Even the show and go swerves of the jock man Doddy could not help Cathays salvage any more from this game.

The 31 points to 3 defeat to open the season was not how the chronicles of Cathays in the WRU Divisions was meant to commence. However this is how it begins, a resonant wake up call for the men in blue. A call that will strike the hearts of the men of Cathays, who WILL readdress, recoup and raise to the plate. The team will conquer any pre season nerves and get this season on the right track - The winning track.

Cathays look to reignite their season, on hallowed home turf, Saturday 14th September 2013 against an old punchy foe Tongwynlais rfc.

“Victory is sweetest when you've known defeat” – Let’s get this season back on the winning track you Cathays beauties.