Sat 21 Sep 2024
With the referee, George Berry, discussing the possibility of taking players off if there is thunder & lightning in the vicinity the match certainly produced a thunderous encounter between the leagues two early pace-setters. Exmouth rightly came out on top, eventually due to their ability to punish CAB mistakes and prevent the CABs from ever following up a score, with another one. The CABs kicked off, playing towards the river, and were 5-0 up after a couple of minutes. A 5metre lineout was driven across the field to open up the blindside and Cam Fogden, smartly put Ollie Bebbington away for a dive in the corner. However, straight from the re-start a misplaced pass, on the edge of the CABs 22, fell into Exmouth hands and the score was levelled.
One thing the CABs wanted to do was try to maintain a high level of tempo and pace to the game, but a number of unforced errors (11 turnovers in total) enabled Exmouth to have crucial breathers and control the pace at the one they wanted. It was also noticeable that Exmouth's powerful front row were causing issues to the home-side scrum. Exmouth were also winning the majority of the collisions and holding onto the ball. A couple of penalties for high tackle and not releasing enabled Exmouth to take a 5-11 lead. The home side then hit back. A lovely Jose Juarez break set up a 5m scrum for the CABs. The ball was recycled in field and Bebbington was on hand again to pick up from close range and dot over. Hillson adding the extras for a 12-11 lead. The lead was short-lived, an Exmouth chaser beat Lloyd Duke in the air and got held within 5m. A few phases later and the pressure eventually told, with the ball reaching the Exmouth winger to score in the corner. The extras added for an 12-18 lead to the visitors.
The half-time discussion was on the CABs being direct and ensuring that we played at the tempo/pace we wanted. Within a couple of minutes, the CABs were down to 14 men (Charlie Short yellow carded for high tackle) and despite some impressive defence, the Exmouth 8 picked up from the base of a scrum and increased the lead to 12-23. The CABS then showed the spirit that has been evident throughout pre-season and in the early games and hit back. A series of flowing moves, penalties and phases resulted in Lloyd Duke scoring by the posts (19-23) and the game was very much on with 20 minutes to go. However, the self-destruct button was pressed again and another misplaced pass off kick-off, gave Exmouth easy ball and another seven points to return their lead to 11 points (19-30). More CABs pressure & a full compliment of players led to Jose Juarez cutting lovely line on the edge of the Exmouth 22 and the lead was cut to 4 points (26-30) with 15 minutes to go. The pressure was building and Exmouth was now under the pump. A yellow card, for the Exmouth 8, resulted in the CABs having a 5 metre lineout. Unfortunately, it wasn't taken and Exmouth were able to clear and get into the CABs 22. A resultant Exmouth lineout produced a couple of phases before it landed in the Exmouth 15's hands and he somehow danced his way across the pitch and back to score and extend the lead to 26-37. For the final ten minutes the CABs pressed to close the gap and get within a score of Exmouth, but combination of smart play by the visitors and sloppy set-piece by the CABs ensured that the scoreline finished deservedly in the visitors favour.
For the CABs and the healthy crowd (supplemented by sponsors for the day, Harpers) it was another Polson cracker. For the CABs it is a case of understanding the value of the keeping hold of the ball (so as to maintain the tempo and pace they are most suited to profiting from) and also the crucial aspect of coming away with points every time they get into the opposition red zone (22m area).
