Sat 25 Feb 2023
So the much anticipated re-arranged game between local rivals, Launceston & Okehampton, certainly lived up to its billing and it boiled down to the final kick of the day and Dan Pearce having the opportunity to snatch the victory from the hosts, from a tricky spot and for the CABs it wasn't to be as the ball struck the posts flush and bounced to safety for Okehampton to hang on for a fair result and win. For the CABs it was the third one point loss in four games, but a crucial two away bonus points.
The game was played in pretty decent conditions; dry and slight breeze up the slope which negated somewhat the clear advantage the slope gives to teams and with two teams in pretty good form and consistent selection able to make it a real humdinger of a game. The CABs were looking to use their forward power and direct running; Okehampton their elusive back three runners and sharp half-backs (particularly scrum half Richard Bolt) and in the end it was the skills and sharp mind of Bolt that made the difference. His sharp thinking at penalty time led to Okehampton taking a 14-0 lead after twenty minutes. The CABs were starting to get dragged into the Okehampton game and playing a touch too risky and flinging the ball around a bit too much for the game plan for up the slope. This enabled Okehampton to thrive off unstructured play and keep their partisan supporters in good humour. However, the CABs then started to get their lineout functioning and the drives were making life difficult for the Oke forwards. One such maul, going towards the Oke line was adjudged to be illegally pulled down. Play continued and the CABs scored in the corner by Conrad Burne. A yellow card was brandished but the ref opted not to award the penalty try and the guaranteed seven points. Pearce missed a really difficult touchline conversion and the score was 14-5. A late penalty in the half gave Oke a 17-5 lead and as everyone knows 10-14 points is roughly what the slope is worth. The CABs felt in a good place as their forwards were now showing real dominance at scrum time and the drives were causing problems, so now it was a case of playing structured, controlled rugby and just keep pressure on and build the scoreboard. The one area that was still not providing clean ball was the lineout; Oke clealry had done their homework and the CABs were being a bit slow to react and change their lineout target areas, or execute them - and in the end, like the Brixham game, not executing in the opposition 22 came back to hurt the CABs.
Converted tries by both teams (& Oke penalty) within the first 15 minutes of the re-start (Dan Pearce finishing off a lovely counter-attack and pass by James Tucker) meant the game was now 25-12. The next crucial phase was a second yellow for an Oke prop (leading to a red card) for a deliberate knock on. The resultant scrum demolished the Oke pack and Adam Collings was able to dive over and the score was now 25-19 with 9 minutes to play. It was now whether Oke could use their kicking game (scrum half Bolt and the Oke 15 were playing corners and territory very effectively) to keep the CABs at bay, or whether possession and penalties would give the CABs the opportunity to get into the Oke 22 and get the score. It boiled down to the last minute and another yellow card, for another Oke prop, now meant that the scrum had to go uncontested (taking away the clear advantage the CABs pack had). The CABs opted for the scrum, as it meant that Oke had to put a couple of backs in, and so now it was a case of wehther the CABs can take advantage of the numbers up. Brandon Rowley took the ball and drove within a couple of metres, the ball was recycled and George Bone was on hand to score in the 5 metre channel and the result rested on the boot of Pearce.
So, another close game and a brilliant local derby and for the CABs it would have been a game that they would have snatched, from the opposition and only led if the kick had been successful. Some tough questions for the CABs to answer re: execution of lineout in the opposition 22 and having the self-discipline to stick to structure, rather than get caught up in the oppositions favoured way of playing. However, what cannot be questioned is the heart and desire to fight for each other and for the CABs shirt
