Sat 30 Sep 2023
What a finish to the game; for 2-3 seconds the home supporters were going crazy in celebration at the thought that the CABs had scored a last gasp try, through powerhouse prop Charlie Short (& set up a conversion to win it) when the ref raised his hand. Then it was the away supporters and Oke playing and coaching staff that were jubilant when he changed his hand signal and indicated that the ball had been held up over the line. And that moment summed up how close the game was and in true recent fashion this Tamar river local derby has been. In all fairness, Okehampton deserved the spoils for the way they dogged the game out and took the correct options when they were in Launceston's last third.
The game started off brilliantly for the CABs, with the pack showing why they have started to make a name for themselves. A scrum penalty was quickly followed by a driving lineout, that Okehampton couldn't stop, and Charlie Tummons was the beneficiary (5-0 after 3 minutes). Within a few more minutes, the CABs were in a similar position and a couple of lineout this time were stopped illegally, but instead of opting for a relatively easy 3 points (& extend the lead to 8-0) they opted for another lineout. A not straight throw, then a penalty against the CABs pack and Okehampton were able to kick to safety. Okehampton were now getting their hands on the ball and a penalty enabled Okehampton to kick deep into the CABs 22m area. A lineout drive was stopped, however, Okehampton were able to force their way over and take the lead (5-7).
The game now settled into a pretty scruffy period, with lots of errors and not much structure. Exactly what the CABs had been trying to avoid getting into all week. Okehampton extended their lead with an easy penalty, but the CABs struck back immediately. A kick-off receipt wasn't dealt with very well, the CABs regathered the ball and LLoyd Duke was on hand to power over, with Pearce adding the extras (12-10). Both sides traded a penalty each and also lost a player each to the bin, with the half ending 15-13 to the home side. The half-time focus was on sticking to the game plan of structure, using the pack to gain territory and possession and not get involved in chaotic, unstructured rugby.
However, it was Okehampton that responded well and were able to take the lead within the first 5 minutes of the re-start (15-20). It was now up to the CABs to respond and initially it didn't look like much was going to happen. The next 20 minutes the game followed the scrappy, scruffy period in the first half and territory was becoming the main area for both teams. A missed penalty kick, by Okehampton, then seemed to galvanise the CABs for the last 15 minutes. The pack started to getting control at both scrum & lineout time and penalties were starting to come regularly for the CABs. Okehampton lost another player to the bin, for a collapsed drive that went from the edge of the 22 to within a couple of metres of the line, but no penalty try was given. The CABs opted for more lineouts and scrums, rather than 3 point options, as the game was starting to ramp up in pressure and excitement. And then it came down to the last minute. More penalties were given away on the Okehampton line and a couple of quick taps by Brandon Rowley didn't get the initial score, so it came down to some gnarly, dogged, frenetic defence to stop the CABs close game from going over and those mixed emotions at the end when both teams thought they had got the spoils.
For the CABs, it will a painful defeat and means their unbeaten start has come to an end. The best lessons are, unfortunately, always learned this way and they will use the next few weeks to respond and work hard for their next game; a Cornish derby at newly promoted St Austell on 14th Oct.
