Sat 15 Oct 2022
Yesterday's match, at the Rectory, was pretty much a carbon copy of the previous visit to Weston Super Mare. The CABs could easily have nicked this game, at the death, and also conceded points either side of the half-time break, which in the end proved crucial to the result.
Playing against the stiff breeze and without Adam Collings (succumbed to illness in the morning), the CABs started off brightly. An early penalty enabled James Tucker to put the first, in a series, of Henry Sladesque touch finders and the CABs had a lineout close to the Services line. Unfortunately, they couldn't capitalise - which proved to be the case on a few more times. At the moment, this seems to be an Achilles Heel. The maxim that you must come away with points is ringing loud and clear. However, the CABs did take the lead several minutes later with a well constructed catch & drive that resulted in Fred Bulut crashing over.
Another key tenet is that a team is never more vulnerable than when they have just scored and straight from the kick-off, a strong run from Lloyd Duke results in penalty to Services, for side entry at the clear-out. Three easy points and for next period was played pretty much in CABs half with Devonport using the strong breeze to pin the CABs back. Eventually, the dam burst and a catch & drive from Services led to them taking the lead. As we know, the CABS are a different proposition to the start of the season and hit back in typical style. Strong running from the forwards and quick wide play put Devonport under good pressure. Another catch & drive created an opportunity for Ryan Westren to take a short ball and crash through two defenders for 10-14 lead with 6 minutes to play. It was now a question of holding on for the lead, or worst case not conceding the lead. Unfortunately, some rushed clearances enabled Devonport to have pressure and tighthead prop, Greg Thomas crashed over in the corner to give them a 15-14 lead.
The CABs were in a good place, one point down with the breeze behind them and lineout providing steady supply of good possession. The kicking game was pinning Services back and the CABs defence was also putting heat on - it was ironic that this pattern resulted in a super breakway score by Services, from inside their 22. A big defensive hit, created the dreaded bouncing ball and an opening for Services to create and finish an overlap and the score stretch to 20-14. A couple of penalties were traded between the teams going into the final 15 minutes. Services were now getting the edge in the scrum and spreading the ball wide which enabled second row Andy Hunt to dot down & a 25-17 scoreline. This kickstarted the CABs into an increase in tempo and intensity and a series of lienouts within the Services 22. Again, the execution (not catching, tight maul structure and decent defence) resulted in Services seeing the period out with the clock in the early 70 minutes. It wasn't until 78 mins that number 9, Corey Jenkinson, sniped through to bring the score to within a point. The last couple of minutes was pulsating with the CABs trying to make the clean break or get a penalty, for either slot at goal or better territory, but Services defence held out.
So, the CABs came away with a losing bonus point, rather than four points. This is always the minimum, that a team should achieve on their travels and the CABs have now had four away trips in their first six games - which certainly at this time of the season skews the league table. However, it is now up to the CABs to prove that Polson is a difficult place to come and that home wins become the norm.
