Sat 16 Nov 2024
Where does one start with this match?!! To quote Ireland Head Coach, Andy Farrell 'it seemed to be four games within a game' is probably a good start although the obvious point would be the final few minutes of the game. The CABS were 11 points down with 3 minutes on the clock and looking at finishing with no points, from the game, and any realistic chance of keeping in touch at the top gone. However, there is one thing that these players have and that is fight and spirit, especially with the Polson crowd behind them. Stand-in captain, Brandon Rowley rightly was awarded Player of the Match with a brace of tries (the final one to give George Hillson, the opportunity to nick the win) and also a stunning carry count of 17.
Referring back to Andy Farrell's four games within a game; the first part followed this pattern. The CABs, like they have in recent weeks started off with a bang and quickly got their noses in front, with a scrum penalty try and a brilliant run and score, from Cam Fogden, to take a 14-0 lead. Another scrum penalty brought a further three points from Hillson's boot and Royal Wotton Basset (RWB) really didn't know what was hitting them and to all intents and purposes it was looking like a runaway win for the CABs. However, the trend of turning over the ball, especially in the opposition third was making sure that RWB were not finished off and out of sight and a frustrating scrum penalty, 5m out in particular gave RWB some breathing space and led to part two of match. RWB were getting a little bit of possession and showing how dangerous they were with ball in hand. Their other major weapon the lineout was starting to give them some decent possession. This coming off an increasing number of penalties from holding onto the ball, in particular, resulting in RWB having their own foray into the CABs 22 for the first time and a catch and drive gave them an opening. This was compounded when prop, Alex Bartlett, was yellow-carded for throwing the ball away. The subsequent penalty gave another 5m lineout and RWB somehow were back in it at 17-14 at the half-time whistle and a shell-shocked CABs retreated to the changing room.
The main focus of the half-time 'discussion' was on re-establishing and wrestling back the initiative and momentum that they'd given to RWB during the first half and to stay calm, play direct and support ball carriers principally to reduce the penalty and turnover count. It was clear that attacks were on top and so having the ball was much more beneficial that not as both teams had pace and good skills in attack. Whereas the CABs started the match with a bang, for part three it was RWB's turn and two immediate scores, one from turnover ball in CABs 22 and then a combination of great running and woeful tackling, straight from a kick re-start, put RWB 17-28 up and the CABs were now staring down one huge barrel. It was time to see which players were going to take the game by the scruff of the neck and take it to RWB. Captain Rowley was continuing to have a high impact with his powerful carries. Not far behind him was Mitch Hawken, Daniel Goldsmith and replacement Seb Cox in the forwards. In the backs Fogden, Ben Bryant and Zerren Hammond were also causing RWB problems and getting the CABs good opportunities to go forward and win penalties. Possession and territory was pretty much all the CABs for the final part. The scrum was continuing its dominance and the CABs were probing and pounding away, but that crucial score was seemingly elusive. With the clock ticking down, even the CABs coaching team were discussing the post-match conversations, however where there's hope there's always a chance and a yellow card and a 5m lineout gave the CABs pack the chance to drive Rowley over and get them six points off RWB, with 90 seconds on the clock. It was now a case of could the CABs retain possession from the kick-off and then work their way up the field (without making any error) to get themselves inside the RWB 22. A RWB for taking Goldsmith, out of the air, at the kick-off and the CABs were now outside the RWB 22. The lineout won and a few phases later, RWB conceded another penalty and second yellow card and the ball was now 8m from the RWB line. A short drive was held up, the ball played and from the next breakdown, Rowley picked through the middle to give Hillson the chance to hit the winning kick. He did and for the home side and the increasingly noisy Polson crowd it was jubilation. How significant the manner of the win will be discovered in the next few weeks - for the CABs a week's rest and then another tasty home match with Cornish rival; St Austell visiting Polson on 30th November. First up, the Castles will be hosting Illogan Park and continuing their battle at the top of their league with Camborne, next Saturday.
