Sat 1 Oct 2022, 15:00
The CABs made the journey to the north coast of Somerset to take on the formidable front five forwards of Weston-Super-Mare (WSM) with the question of character firmly on their minds, following the heavy home defeat from Okehampton and their scintillating backline. That question was very quickly put to bed with the manner that the CABs set about their task. The game plan was very simple; high numbers into own breakdowns and high numbers on our feet in defence -essentially make the game a very high tempo one. This led to an early score, with Jake Crabb barging over from short range. The returning Lloyd Duke and Andy Knight were showing what the pack had been missing for a few games and the introduction of Martin Kneebone, in the centre, was bringing some real directness to the CABs attack. The CABs were keeping really good possession and being managed terrifically well from the half-backs (Adam Collings and James Tucker) and marshalled superbly from the back with Thomas Sandercock at 15. The one area that WSM were proving themselves dangerous was the touchline and their driving maul and eventually this told with some drives and close play to give WSM a 14-5 lead. Another period of CABs possession gave Dan Pearce a little opening, which he took with both hands and went in under the posts and bring the score to within two points. The CABs then had 8 minutes to see the half out (conditions were certainly in the WSM favour) and deal with WSMs driving maul and kicking game. Unfortunately the last play of the half saw a series of penalties and driving lineouts for WSM to go over. 21-12 at half-time (with the strength of the wind) was a good showing and the CABs were very much buoyed by the scoreline and the manner in which both teams were; CABs feeling strong and fit, WSM pack just starting to flag.
As was pointed out, whichever team was able to score consecutively was likely to get the advantage and unfortunately a missed tackle on a kick-chase gave WSM an easy out and then kept ball well to go over in the corner and build a 28-12 lead with 35 to go. From then on it was pretty much CABs. High quality possession keeping, probing kicks from half-backs and also hooker Lev Bulut and a powerful and effective lineout - well led by Leion Cole. Another score from Dan Pearce and a penalty try for deliberate knock on resulted in a nail biting last 7 minutes. Unfortunately the CABs couldn't get a clean break or shot at goal and the WSM team ended up seeing the game out. Still two points away, against a team that was virtually unbeatable at home last season, and the best showing by the CABs is better place to be than last week.
The Launceston 2s (Castles) also enjoyed a super showing with a high scoring win, at home to Redruth Albany, and now sit atop the Cornwall 3 (old Cornwall 1 league) and host the second placed team in two weeks time. Please make a bee-line, if you cannot support the CABs at Devonport on 15th Oct, to see the next generation of CABs and some really impressive lower league rugby & at the same time enjoy a pint and some great food being supplied by The Coffee Pot, in the clubhouse.
