Sat 16 Mar 2024
The CABS entertained the league leaders, yesterday, on a damp, drizzly and very muddy Polson pitch with the intention of putting a dent in Devonport's progress to National 2 and also reverse a series of three losses on the bounce. Both teams were hampered by unavailability, but the outcome showed that Devonport not only have that slight edge in squad strength but also can play a strong, controlled, patient game and wait for the opposition to make mistakes and then punish them, extremely clinically.
Excellent strategic kicking by the Devonport half-backs and good use of hands to pull the CABs defence across the pitch led to the first points (an offside penalty). What was particularly frustrating was that the CABs defence was strong in the collision and also organised and gave Devonport no spaces to exploit; it also repelled the Devonport driving maul back (an area that Devonport use to great effect). The CABs hit back immediately with Devonport offside themselves. James Tucker adding the three points. The game was turning into a real blood and thunder occasion with nothing being given; Devonport using the conditions to pin the CABs back. The CABs responding with smart and controlled play to keep Devonport at arms length. The next key moment was the CABs being penalised for obstruction on a Tucker counter-attack. Devonport kicked onto the corner and a couple of mauls later managed to get the ball over the line for a 3-8 lead. Again, the CABs responded and forced the play into the Services 22. Unfortunately, a knee injury to captain Brandon Rowley, meant he left the field and Albert Horne moved into the 8 slot. Services managed to clear. The game was finely balanced at 3-8 going into the last few minutes of the half, when Dan Goldsmith was yellow carded for team penalty (offside). It gave Devonport the chance to go into the corner and capitalise on the CABs being one man short and extended their lead to 3-13 with another driving maul.
The half-time chat, for the CABs was straightforward; minimise the penalties and improve the discipline to give themselves a chance to forcing Devonport to defend for sustained periods of play, rather than sporadic moments. The CABs came out firing and despite being a man down, forced a penalty for Tucker to take the three points and close the gap. Unfortunately, the CABs lost a second player (George Bone) to the bin for a high tackle and it enabled Services to control the territory and possession again. Within minutes, Devonport made the one man difference pay and extended their lead to 6-18. Another penalty, was kicked to put the CABs two scores out of reach. The final ten minutes saw the CABs virtually in the Devonport final third, but errors restricted Devonport to having to defend with stress and in the final play, a lost ball was run the length of the field for Devonport to wrap up the game (& in all honesty the league) for a very well-deserved first win at Polson.
For the CABs, there has clearly been progress this season but the harsh reality is that the past four games have exposed a few Achilles Heels in the CABs play and squad and whilst that is fine for mid-table, to go the next step and compete with Barnstaple, Devonport etc those will need to be addressed in the off and pre-season.
In the meantime, the CABs host Exmouth next week with the firm aim of getting an all important win and build for the upcoming Papa Johns Cup.
