Sat 19 Feb 2022
Polson Bridge braced itself for the tail end of Storm Eunice and also the visit of top of the table Old Redcliffians - in the end, both got seen off with the infrastructure in place and also from a clinical, determined display by the CABs. Whenever, a team is facing a real quality, confident outfit (Old Reds hadn't been beaten since the 2nd Oct) it is nailing the basics that is a must. By basics, we mean catching and passing, tackle height and completion and also support your team-mate when he carries the ball. It is also paramount when you're having to face tricky playing conditions, on top of a very good team. As with the past couple of games (Old Cents & Weston) it is about cashing in on favourable conditions and then battening down the hatches when the elements are against you. In those two previous games that was not fully achieved - yesterday it was. As a coaching group this is such a heartening aspect to witness - it means that you've got a super group of players, who are reflective on their performances and willing to do that extra bit for their playing mates.
The game started with Old Reds electing to face the conditions and within 15 mins the score was 10-0 (Pearce penalty and converted score from Shaun Crawford). The latter was extremely satisfactory as it came from a very patient build-up and then terrific exploitation of space and a mismatch. The defence, in this period, and throughout the first half was exemplary and it was no coincidence that Old Reds never got out of their half and the points kept on accruing (James Mcfarlane maul try, another Pearce penalty and to finish the half off a super kick chase resulting in James Tucker dotting down). 25-0 at half-time was a total reflection of the CABs performance, however, the acid test was to come - can we manage the conditions and the impending onslaught from Old Reds - something we hadn't done in the previous home game. This time it was very different as the CABs played very smart rugby. Close pick and go drives, forwards running in pairs off 9, scrum options at free kicks and penalties - eat up the clock and deny Old Reds possession and territory. Even though Old Reds scored after 10-12 minutes of the half, it was still 10-12 minutes gone. The defence was not letting up, tackles were not being missed and the Old Reds were trying everything to get that breakthrough. The next score was key and it came courtesy of some super controlled rugby from the CABs, resulting in offside, in front of the posts, for Daniel Pearce to slot another penalty and personal tally of 12 points. Although Old Reds scored again, via a penalty try (& resultant yellow for Adam Collings for collapsing maul) the clock was now well into the 70 minutes and Old Reds needed two scores just to tie the game. Another late score brought the game back to just the one score, but a scrum penalty resulted in James Tucker smashing the ball off the park for a super win and great day for the Club, especially for our farming community (as it was Farmers' Day) and many beers, ciders and rums being drunk! A word on young referee, Dan Evans, I thoroughly applaud decisions like the penalty try - if a team has driven the maul back 12-15 minutes and it gets collapsed 1-2 m out then there should be no reason not to award the full 7 points - far too many referees back off from those calls and do not award the attacking team their just rewards.
The challenge for the playing group now is to put another consistent run of performances (& hopefully subsequent scoreboards) together now for the remaining six fixtures and also give the Polson crowd something to enjoy for the rest of the Spring
