Sat 29 Oct 2022
Sometimes tight games are lost by a team and sometimes they are won by the other team. I know that may seem a profoundly simple thing to say, but there are occasions where a team is leading and they manage to throw it away with ill-discipline or some ridiculous passage of play and sometimes the opposition take the game by the scruff of the neck and dig themselves out of hole and play their way to victory. Yesterday's encounter was very much of the latter. Exmouth, facing a strong breeze and 12-7 down with 30 mins to play had no option but to play a lot of rugby and use their larger, heavier forwards and what seemed a massive backline to punch and batter their way up field to eventually draw level and then get into a lead.
There is no way the CABs should feel they let themselves down as the effort and application was there for all to see. The CABs faced the strong breeze and themselves, started strong. Forwards were carrying with good intent and especially running at shoulders and gaps with all forwards showing their want. This enabled the backs to move the ball around and stretch the Exmouth defence and lead to a string of penalties. Eventually, the CABs took the lead with Andy Knight crashing over in the left corner. Exmouth responded and were starting to use their larger bulk to play simple hit up rugby -but the CABs defence was equal to it (despite two yellow cards). One set of defence, when Exmouth were camped on the CABs line (for what seemed an eon) was the epitomy of the CABs; intensive, bodies on the line and making sure no-one let their team-mates down to ensure that the CABs only went in at half-time 7-5 down and with the breeze picking up.
The second half started exactly how the half-time focus identified. Kicks for territory, strong and aggressive defensive line, no penalties and wait for the opportunity to take the lead and after 10 minutes Lloyd Duke picked and went over. Dan Pearce converted and the score was 12-7 to the CABs. Another score then, from the boot or try would in all honesty have broken Exmouth. But, as pointed out at the start, the wind was giving Exmouth no kicking option so they had to use their handling game and batter their way up field. The impact of the two yellow cards (allied to a bout of sickness in some of the forwards the day before) was taking its toll. Energy levels were swapping over; Exmouth getting stronger and the CABs diminishing, meant that the CABs were struggling to get their hands on the ball or win turnover ball. 15 points on the bounce put Exmouth in a good position with 5 minutes to go. One final assault to get a losing bonus point came to nothing and it was Exmouth who came away with a consecutive win and the CABs with a home match v Ivybridge to continue consolidating a strong Polson record.
