Sat 25 Jan 2025, 14:00
Eventually, the much much anticipated game between two of the top three teams in the league was able to take place. The weather was kind to players and spectators and both teams were able to field strong squads. However, despite the predications that this was going to be close (like in the previous games) it was anything but, with the home side comprehensively sending the CABs home, after a chastening afternoon, with a 40-7 victory.
Barnstaple was looking threatening from the first minute when they found a weakness in the Black’s defence and made a break for the tryline but were tackled into touch, just short. Barnstaple was putting constant pressure on the Blacks, forcing them to make small mistakes that cost them meterage and possession. However, a penalty in the CABs favour gave them possession and territory and after several phases pounding the Barnstaple line, they were held up and Barnstaple were able to clear.
14 minutes into the game, Barnstaple’s number 2, Bertie Stretch, forced his way over the tryline to get the first points on the board and the conversion points were added, making the score 7-0, after a couple of penalties enabled Barnstaple to relieve themselves of CABs pressure and give themselves the go forward. 7 minutes after this, Barnstaple got over the line again but was held up but only a minute after this, Barnstaple passed the ball wider to Callum Morgan who dived over the line, exploiting the extra man over to make the score 12-0 as the conversion was missed. The Blacks responded to this and made stronger tackles, and the tempo increased, which soon gave Ollie Bebbington the chance to weave his way to the tryline and dive over, putting the first points on the board for Launceston. George Hillson kicked the conversion to make the score 12-7. However, right from the kick-off an offside for not retreating enabled Barnstaple to take advantage which resulted in another try only 2 minutes after Bebbington had scored, and their full back kicked the conversion, making the score 19-7. The CABs were now having to fight back into the game and not let it become an insurmountable scoreline. A missed kick to touch, gave Barnstaple a let-off and a subsequent penalty that allowed Barnstaple’s Callum Morgan to score another try by passing the ball wider for a 26-7 half-time lead. Going into half time, the Blacks were 20 points behind and were looking for a comeback. The key area was to keep possession and aim to get body heights lower so as to enable the ball to be quicker and also negate the larger Barnstaple pack and backline. Both teams received some hard hits, and the Blacks continued to hold them in the scums, refusing to let them gain yards and dominate. The play became more equal with Barnstaple managing to keep the CABs attack at arms length. 63 minutes in, a maul allowed Barnstaple’s number 4, Matt Gohl, to leap over the line and score a try making the score 33-7. Shortly after this, Johnny Carter, Barnstaple’s flanker, was yellow carded and sent to the sin bin. Barnstaple’s number 19, Cameron Grizzle Johnson intercepted a long pass from the Blacks and ran half the length of the pitch to score a try, making the score 40-7 and rounded off the scoring. Both teams played well and wanted the win to keep the hopes of promotion alive, but Barnstaple had a slight advantage in the scrums and exploited weaknesses while the Black’s couldn’t find anything to take advantage from. For the winners, it has given them the opportunity of keeping tabs on Brixham at the top; for the CABs it'll certainly be a short period of self-reflection, before the very tough assignment of Matson away and showing some good character and resilience.
Report by Lucy Beacham
