Sat 4 Mar 2023, 14:30
The CABs claimed arguably their best win of the season in the circumstances as they ran out 27-22 winners at mid-table Lydney, a result which secures their place in Regional One South West for next season. This was also more impressive considering the number of personnel changes that followed last week's agonising defeat at Okehampton a week earlier. Probably, the most significant non-availability was of influential CABs captain, Lloyd Duke. The Head Coach team, of Ian Goldsmith & Ryan Westren had no hesitation in asking Brandon Rowley to step into the position for the game. Rowley was joined in the centre by Joe Stansfield (who along with Charlie Tummons) travelled the short distance from Cardiff University to play and created a more than formidable midfield. The game plan was set; use either centre to carry direct and hard and then use the forwards to come round the corner, and round the corner to take the legs away from the Lydney pack. This provided dividends early with the lead inside four minutes as Rowley picked the ball off Tom Sandercock, at 9, and ran a cut ball to score just by the posts. Winger Dan Pearce added the extras for 7-0.
Lydney are enjoying a good season back at Step Five under director of rugby Sam Arnott and were all square by the tenth minute as the rapid and elusive back three combined to enable Lydney to score.
The first half was now very much game of CABs forwards and direct centres against the dynamic Lydney backline and it seemed whichever team had a decent amount of possession would capitalise. Launceston’s pack had the advantage in the set-piece and went back in front on the half-hour.
Following lineout, a maul was formed that was brought to a halt illegally, with the referee awarding a penalty try. Within two minutes the visitors had a third score on the board as the pace of Pearce got on the outside before offloading inside to the onrushing James Tucker to go the rest of the way. Pearce’s boot was good again and they had a 12-point cushion.
The first half was a brilliant advert for Step Five rugby and Lydney scored for a third time on 36 minutes as more slick hands saw the ball get out to the right wing. So, half-time and both teams had three tries and surely it would be only a matter of when both teams got their fourth score. The key message for the CABs, at half-time, was to really savour the moment and the manner of play and to ensure that we keep possession for as long as possible; even if we weren't initially enjoying much gainline thrust.
Unsurprisingly, the home side came out determined to cut the five-point gap as quickly as possible, but despite being in the visiting half for much of the contest and with the bulk of the possession, Launceston’s defence held firm. All Lydney had to show for their efforts, was a three point penalty after 60 minutes and the gap was closed to two points. However, this seemed a turning point as it almost indicated to Lydney, that they were not going to get anything second half & to the CABs it was a case of 'no matter what they throw at us, we will keep them out'. The CABs restored the lead, several minutes later and as the half ticked on, the CABs were the ones now with the possession and winning penalties.
In fact the CABs had the chance for a further penalty or kick to the corner, for the fourth try, but maturely Rowley opted to end the game with a kick to touch and the visitors held on for a vital four points that means they can enjoy the final two games of the season against Camborne and Drybrook, knowing the pressure is off.
