Sat 5 Nov 2022
What a wonderful advert of Tier 5 Southwest rugby was on show, at Polson, on Saturday. Over 70 points, yellow cards and two teams really showing contrasting styles and fully committed to giving it their all, and the match wasn't really settled until the final ten minutes of the game.
Ivybridge arrived off the back of a thumping home win, over Okehampton, and the CABs following a strong away performance, but no points from their travels to Exmouth. The CABs knew that they had to put a strong performance in and try and create a little bit of breathing space between themselves and the bottom of the table. The challenge was also thrown down to the CABs pack in particular, to really dominate and bully the Ivybridge pack off the park. In recent games, the CABs pack has shown signs, in patches, and also been on top but not for full game and not to really drive home their ascendancy. The CABs pack was also fully aware that the Ivybridge pack was missing some of its main ballast and power players. The weather conditions also lent themselves to a combative and abrasive style of rugby, rather than Barbarians champagne style rugby. Although, Ivybridge had other ideas and a lost ball around the half way line gave Ivybridge an opportunity to play the ball multiple phases, some clean passing and strong running lines eventually created an overlap which they took and 0-7 within 5 minutes. Fortunately, the CABs pack responded and a penalty into the corner led to the first of a number of energy sapping maul drives with Fred Bulut benefitting from the power. Dan Pearce slotted the extras. For the next 10 minutes the two contrasting styles were on full show; CABs wanting a power pack, direct running game and Ivybridge looking at using their hands and passing games. Both teams traded tries, with Lloyd Duke powering off the back of another maul drive for 12-14.
Frustratingly, the CABs then got involved in the Ivybridge style of play and got themselves playing wider and offloading unnecessarily which resulted in some scrappy play. The introduction of Rhys Carpenter and Charlie Brown brought some directness to the CABs play and some battering runs, by the forwards, created a lovely overlap for Dan Pearce to scoot in by the Clubhouse and add the extras.
Half-time and the emphasis was on being direct, running hard simple lines at gaps or shoulders and not worrying about offloading, at this stage. The other crucial aspect was stay on the side of the referee. The second half started with the CABs succeeding in one of those objectives, but not the appeasing the referee and Ivybridge benefitted from ill-discipline (including a high tackle yellow for Rhys Carpenter) to close the gap. The next ten minutes saw both teams trade tries - the CABs with a power scrum for Brandon Rowley to dot down. By this time the CABs latest signing, Ethan Pearce-Cowley, on loan from Plymouth Albion was showing what a hot prospect he is. The CABs pack was now starting to dominate in all facets and push the Ivybridge pack around at will at set piece; penalties were coming at a regular rate and pressure eventually told when Fred Bulut peeled off a maul to gift Adam Collings with an unopposed walk-in near the uprights. the final act saw multiple phase and strong carries to release Ryan Westren in the scoreboard corner for a 44-27 win.
So a pleasing afternoon with five points won hard and Ivybridge not getting a losing, nor a try, bonus point and put the CABs in a good frame for the daunting visit to second place Chew Valley for the first time in their history.
(Remember kick offs at 2.30 pm from now on)
