Sat 5 Feb 2022
The contrasting emotions at the end said it all - one team flat on their backs in exhaustion and jubilation, the other crestfallen and on their knees.
A fabulous game of rugby played by two teams demonstrating their current positions in the league and the spoils (just) going to the higher placed team. The game was played seven days later than originally fixtured and it led to a change in elements; with a very strong, blustery wind blowing down the pitch towards the river end - so the game was very much going to be tactical. Take advantage of the conditions as much as possible and when facing the wind try to limit any damage and stay in the game. Both teams executed the first part with each scoring 26 points so the difference in the end came to staying in the game playing up the hill and into the wind. In this aspect Weston fared better scoring 8 points to the CABs solitary penalty.
For the CABs it was very much a litmus test to see where the squad has come in recent weeks against a very settled, experienced squad that was bolstered by a couple of Bristol Bear Academy players. The main focus for the CABs (& for all teams that come up against Weston) is dealing with their powerful scrum and lineout drive play and the CABs pack very much held their own at scrum time, including winning some scrum penalties, and also showing real power and technique in the catch & drive - three tries being the result. It was also clear that the CABs had done their lineout homework and were causing real issues to Weston in the air. 26-5 with the last play of the first half and a slip by James McFarlane in the scrum gave Weston an easy three points and something to galvanise them for the second half.
The next 20 minute period was probably where the game got away from the CABs; a series of unnecessary penalties and some heat from Weston in the scrum brought them back into it too quickly for the CABs supporters liking. It is periods like this where experience tells and the CABs missed the opportunity of running through some phases (even simple ones like forwards off the 9, or pick & gos) just to take the sting out of the Weston momentum and build the right time to kick. The other slight difference between the two teams was that Weston secured their kick-off receipts better than the CABs, allowing the Weston half-backs to send the ball back into CABs 22 almost immediately, whereas the CABs made errors on three which gave Weston some crucial time and possession in the CABs half and not back in their 22.
So, the game came down to the wire and a couple of penalties right in the Weston red zone gave the CABs an opportunity to try and force anyone over and give Dan Pearce the chance to go for the win with a kick. In the end a drive was held up and the final whistle came much to the relief of Weston and the frustration of the CABs and their supporters.
