Sat 23 Mar 2024
Unfortunately for Exmouth they were the visitors to Polson Bridge this afternoon and had the backlash from the past few games (and the Devonposrt Services game in particular) with the CABs desperate to halt a run of four losses and additionally consolidate fifth place in the league. Exmouth also had to deal with a raft of unavailabilities and injuries, especially up front. For the CABs, a couple of enforced changes led to starts for Charlie Tummon, Mitch Hawken and Todd Crofts.
The CABs kicked off with the strong breeze behind their backs and the slope in their favour. They immediately set about dominating the collision and winning the race to the breakdown; the latter area that has been an issue in recent weeks and prevented the CABs from sustaining pressure on the opposition and putting points on the scoreboard at regular intervals. An initial James Tucker penalty gave the CABs an early lead. The forwards really showed some aggression and abrasiveness in their carries and also their breakdown clearouts, so that Tom Sandercock was able to give the ball to Crofts, Fogden, Bryant and Tucker at will and pace. This pattern enabled pressure to build up and space to attack and eventually allowed Fogden to break through and increase the lead to 8-0 after just 12 minutes.
The next period of play is where the CABs have got to learn how to play/manage the game and really take teams apart of they wish to move into those top couple of spots next season - lineouts not being executed in the opposition half, ball carriers on 22, wild Hollywood type passes going astray and ball carriers not holding onto the ball and trying to offload when not in correct position to execute it. The crowd was just starting to get restless at the CABs battering and breaking trhough but not adding to scoreline and it wasn't until Player of the Match, George Bone, really took the lead and showed what was necessary - just continue to carry and carry hard. A break along within the Exmouth 22, enabled Crofts to drive over and Tucker to add the extras. A few minutes later and Bone himself broke through from the Exmouth 10m line and powered over for the CABs to go in at half-time 20-0 up.
The focus at half-time was the game was going to be a touch easier to manage; the wind was against them (so no kicking game essentially), so it really was a case of keep the ball, carry with pace and power and support the ball carrier. To be fair to the CABs that was exactly what they did. Every CAB followed the instructions to a T and multi-phases enabled the CABs to regularly extend their lead with Tom Bottoms, captain Tom Sandercock and two more scores from George Bone adding to the scoreline.
Overall, it was great to see the players with smiles on their faces and enjoying their rugby. It also means that the CABs will have won more games, than lost this season (and that is with Ivybridge to come to Polson on 6th April). It also helps the players build towards their Papa John campaign, with a visit to Barnstaple on the 13th April.
