Sat 2 Sep 2023, 14:30
So, the 2023-4 season started with what seems to be the customary away fixture to open the campaign. However, this time the CABs managed to come away with a very hard earned, well managed win at the expense of Ivybridge. Both teams/clubs had seen some significant changes in their set-up. For the CABs it was a change in on-field captain (Tom Sandercock) and for Ivybridge it was a change in coaching with Navy and Albion hooker, Davy Macgregor, taking over the reins. There was also some notable recruitment (or more to the point returnees) turning out for the CABs which provided some significant strength in depth during the pre-season.
First game is always difficult to guage as to the effectiveness of pre-season. For the CABs, pre-season couldn't have gone much better (key wins, no injuries and re-focus on defence being the main areas) and Saturday was time to see if there were any fruits to the squad's labours. An early penalty was responded to emphatically with a well-worked converted try for Dan Pearce. However, this was quickly responded to by Ivybridge; a high tackle penalty (5 in total by the CABs) gave Ivybridge their opportunity to reply with a catch & drive. The CABs were a touch nervy with hand in ball and some inaccuracies were coughing up possession and not enabling any worthwhile sustained pressure. However, one area that was working well was the set piece and penalties were starting to come frequently to the CABs and from a 5m lineout, centre Cam Fogden side-stepped through a couple of defenders to restore the CABs lead. Another 5m lineout then provided a key moment in the game & presented the CABs with a very difficult proposition as a red card, for Leion Cole, reduced the CABs to 14 for the remaining 60 minutes. The next 20mins saw the CABs struggle to work out (in attack) how to deal with a man down. However, in defence it was very much a case of every man doing their bit extra to fill the gap and another scrum penalty saw Pearce extend the lead to 10-17 and take into half-time.
The key focus at half-time was revert to our strength, on the day, scrum and lineout and keep possession as much as possible. If we did those then opportunities would come territorially and also points. The other area that was asked to improve was the contact area and the CABs came out and made some real statements at the re-start. Again, lineouts were being hit and scrums were causing Ivybridge all sorts of problems. The re-entry of Charlie Short (not impressed with the heat coming off the 4G pitch) suddenly added an extra boost to the scrum and on 65 mins Brandon Rowley picked from the base of the scrum and charged over; Pearce converting to take to the score to 10-24. Despite some opportunities, Ivybridge could find no way through the CABs defence (debutant Jamie Chapman and Fogden in the midfield) and with excellent game management from Sandercock, Glenn Coles and late substitution Adam Collings the CABs saw the game out and a very, very handy win.
Next week sees the CABs on their travels again to Weston Super Mare
Ian Goldsmith - Coach
