Sat 12 Mar 2022
There was only question on everyone's lips 'which CABs team will show up today; the dynamic, accurate, cohesive version that overpowered Old Reds, or the insipid, inaccurate, argumentative one that travelled to Royal Wootton Bassett last week?'
The answer was a bit of both and probably explains why the Club is sitting in its league position of 6th. One thing that was consistent was the weather forecast, for the day, and that had a huge bearing on the decision at toss time. The agreed thinking was to benefit from the conditions in the first half, (unusually a gale blowing up the pitch, towards the scoreboard) as we didn't want to be the team chasing the game in the wet, mud and gale winds. Handling was likely to get more & more difficult as the afternoon went on. That was the theory and it was based around building up a lead, so to go in at half-time with the scoreboard showing 3-3 was not in the script and probably the majority of the crowd was anticipating Bournemouth making more effective use of the conditions and pull away.
The CABs didn't play poorly in the first half. There was plenty of possession, in the Bournemouth half, plenty of stretching the Bournemouth defence. The issue became that we tried playing rugby as though it was a sunny, dry day. The set piece was having the edge in the scrum, but was a touch inaccurate at the lineout so the platform was not what was hoped for. Bournemouth were having the better of the air and using their possession sensibly; slowing the clock and keeping the ball away from the CABs. It was exactly how we expected them to play; play the basics, wait for an opposition error and have an effective kicking game - very much like Barnstaple a few seasons back. The times that the CABs did get in the red zone we showed our impatience and just didn't slowly crank up the heat. Frustratingly the ball was spilt, or lost over the line and enabled Bournemouth to clear their lines. Half-time and time to re-set. The key discussion was around solving the aerial battle, embedding the value of discipline (no competing at breakdown, give an extra half metre on the backfoot) and counter-attacking in the right places. Fair play to the players, that was exactly what they did. The defence was stunning, time and again players got up off the floor, into & off the line and into the faces of the Bournemouth attack leading to knock-ons and possession returns. The lineout was now functioning and the touchline was steadily becoming our friend and the enemy of Bournemouth. The scrum became interesting, with the unusual step of both packs agreeing to go uncontested due to the underfoot conditions. The crucial score came with 15 minutes to go and a wonderful counter-attack putting Dan Pearce into space and he does what he does best; find the tryline. A kicking tee left in the changing room made the kick impossible and the game poised with only a 8-6 lead to the CABs. One error and it could lead to Bournemouth knocking a penalty over and re-taking the lead. The remaining 15 minutes was what embodies the CABs ethos & it what the club has been built on over the years; character, guts, willingness to go that extra bit for your team-mates, dynamic ball-carriers and skilful play. The Past Players, who'd been invited over for the day, will have been purring at the manner of end game - well those that managed to leave the bar!!!
A perfect day for the Club, with the 2s having a strong win, and the gap closed on Exmouth. Wins for the first and seconds, winning formula too for the brilliant Ladies Day and the Ex players reunion - both of which will have bolstered bar takings as well as great social crack. All topped off with some lively music. Next week, sees the Club host Pirate Amateurs in the quarter-final of the Cornwall Cup and the 2s visiting Helston all on Six Nations Super Saturday. Should be another great day down at Polson
