Sat 20 Jan 2024
What a way to bounce back from a desperately frustrating afternoon the previous week. This time out, the CABs managed to literally do that and manage the game in a mature and organised manner and come away with the full spoils in a 12-23 victory. The day started with everyone waking up scheduled to play the game at Polson, by 10:30 everything had changed and the fixture was switched (due to patches of frozen ground) for a 2pm kick-off at Exmouth's ground, as neither team really fancied re-playing it yet again at a later date. In one aspect, the game now became a 'free hit' for the players as there would be no expectation on them to put in a near perfect performance and come away with a win. Oned thing that did make the game a bit easier for the players to focus was the strong breeze that was coming straight down the pitch and therefore, it became a match of holding onto the ball, eating the clock up and having a good backfield defence formation one half and then using the breeze, having a super kick-chase defence and not giving easy penalties and give up the ball for a few minutes the other half.
Fortunately, captain Tom Sandercock won the toss and elected for his team to face the conditions. Right from the start, the CABs set out their intentions and the forwards were offering themselves up to carry, and carry with purpose into the Exmouth defence and enabling the backline to have the ball on their terms and use the width. Unfortunately, a penalty for holding on, followed by some backchat (which became a running theme in the first half) resulted in Exmouth being able to pin the CABs back to their 22. Lineout time was a lottery for both teams and even though the CABs managed to spoil the initial set piece, Exmouth gathered and a few phases later exploited some unfocused defence down the blindside for the Exmouth 8 to crash over (5-0). One thing that became a touch surprising was Exmouth not using the breeze and pinning the CABs back more, so the game was able to be played between the 22s.Time and again the CABs made little bits of ground in a very composed manner, until the crucial pick and go through the middle of the ruck, by Brandon Rowley, brought the CABs to the Exmouth 5m line. Some smart management, by Adam Collings, enabled the CABs to score with Rowley getting the honours (5-5). The set piece was also providing the CABs with a decent amount of possession; scrum time was solid and the lineout (which was always going to be a lottery on the day) was getting more ball than Exmouth. Eventually, the CABs high possession was beginning to create some disorganisation in the Exmouth defence and some strong carries by Horne, Bone, Duke and Pearce-Crowley resulted in Fogden going in for his first of the afternoon and the CABs take a 5-10 lead. It was now about, weathering the final ten minutes of the half and keep the scoreboard close. Another penalty gave Exmouth a rare attacking opportunity in the CABs 22. Another spoilt lineout, but gathered by Exmouth, gave them the ball and they started pounding the CABs line until eventually they ran out of defenders and the Exmouth right wing powered over. The score was converted for a 12-10 lead and it was a case of holding out for the remaining 2 minutes, which they did.
It was key, for the CABs to focus on the second half continuing the high energy (not resting on laurels of the wind giving them the win), not giving away penalties and just be patient and use the wind to pin Exmouth back and have a solid kick-chase game. Exmouth set about holding onto their lead and for the first ten minutes the CABs hardly touched the ball, however what was smart was that the penalty count was really low, so Exmouth had to keep playing and playing, rather than use penalty time to eat the clock. This was physically draining and it was beginning to tell, knock ons and desperate kicks enabled the CABs to get their hands on the ball and start to test the Exmouth defence. A penalty, for high tackle and James Tucker stepped up to knock his first points off the tee (for 18 months) and give the CABs the lead. Now, the question was could the CABs learn from last week and manage the remaining part of the game. Some smart kicking, ill-discipline from Exmouth (including a yellow for high tackle), solid lineout ball from Duke & Goldsmith and the CABs were now pinning Exmouth back. The pressure was building and building until the CASBs were able to profit and Fogden powered over for his second and give the CABs a bit of breathing space (12-18). However, the lead wasn't totally definitive and there was still the threat of a missed tackle, series of penalties or interception that enabled Exmouth to stay in it. The final minutes saw the CABs banging on the Exmouth line and smart play by Collings put Fogden in from a few metres for his hat-trick and 12-23 victory.
It was an incredible showing by the CABs (after the previous week and the circumstances of the day) and shows the players that when they stick to a game plan, they play to their strengths and continue to do all the unskilled stuff better than the opposition they are a real handful, especially on the road. Mention, must go to Exmouth for facilitating the change in venue at relatively late notice. It now leaves the CABs with only two away games, for the remainder of the season, and a handful of home games. The first of these is the Cornish derby against St Austell next weekend - which will be a proper physical contest and hopefully a really large vocal crowd.
