Playing their final match of 2024 there was absolutely nothing ambiguous about this result for Cobham, who scored 11 tries against a spirited performance from an Old Haileyburian team. Forced to make eight changes from the squad that defeated London Cornish, Director of Rugby Billy Davison, Captain Chris Lippiatt and their respective teams can enjoy Christmas in the knowledge they have now won their last seven fixtures, are joint second in the league and just one point behind league leaders Old Rutlishians.
There was a debut for Sandro Celebidachi on the wing and Connor Dellapina filed the gap at fly half following Knox O'Connor's return to Australia. Timon Botha came in at prop and Wilf Saywell at full-back, following injuries incurred by Ryan Aujla and Will Stephen respectively. Considering the shortest day of the season, kick-off was at 1.30pm and whilst the game wasn't played out in the customary storm, the wind and rain played their part.
Cobham started strongly and enjoyed possession and territory. The first scrum suggested a complete domination they would enjoy throughout the match, but despite breaks from Davison and Murphy, ably assisted by Celebidachi and Penfold, the OH defence held.
Their momentum was disturbed when they incurred a yellow card for a high tackle. Taking advantage of the extra man, Cobham ran the ball wide and Penfold raced over in the corner to touch down. Dellapina, taking over the kicking duties, could not add the extras as the wind swirled (0-5).
The wind also prevented the OH restart going 10 metres, which gave Cobham the benefit of the scrum. Number 8 Jake McQuade had returned from injury the previous week and relished the opportunities the forward drive provided, as he consistently picked up from the back to feed Saunders.
Cobham's second try came from a well-anticipated interception from Dellapina, passing to centre Palmer who allowed Celebidachi to secure his debut try in record time. This time Dellapina judged the wind direction very well for the first of his seven conversions (0-12). Celebidachi, who has played some of his rugby in the United States, also featured in the next try as he offloaded to centre Taylor Burnett to power over (0-17).
OH will have anticipated a difficult afternoon and Cobham's bonus point try demonstrated just what they were up against as Penfold ran down the line, passed inside to scum half Saunders who somehow pivoted to offload onto full-back Wilf Saywell, who scored under the posts. Dellapina added the extras (0-24).
For a short period, Cobham took their foot off the pedal and allowed OH back into the game. The home side benefitted from a penalty at the lineout, leading to a converted try for fly half Minty (7-24). As has been the case this season, scores against the run of play do not disrupt Cobham and as they returned into the home side half, a collective team effort featuring Burnett, Celebidachi and Davison provided Saunders with his opportunity to dummy and score a converted try (7-31).
Wilf Saywell‘s pace featured consistently all afternoon as did Palmers evasive skills and it was only great defence from OH that avoided further scores being added. However, a sixth try came from a completed lineout, which the wind did not blight, and the rolling maul enabled McQuade to drive over and Dellaphina converted from out wide (7-38). Despite the challenges that Cobham were generating, OH took their opportunities when they came and just before the break, their Captain Harry Clesham went over (12-38).
Soon after the second half started, Saywell tackling expertise was required to avoid a break from Clesham but it was Cobham on the scoreboard next as Porter tapped the ball back from a OH lineout. Davison continued to bemuse the opposition by his lighting pick ups from the ruck, before linking with Saunders and eventually putting McQuade over for back-to-back converted tries (12-45).
After the tense conclusion to the previous week's game, Cobham had an opportunity to provide their substitutes Tomsk Sherrington, Gabe Clark and Hugh Farmer with some extended game time, who all thrived on the opportunity. Penfold set-up by another blistering run by Saywell, who scored his second try. Dellapina converted to bring 50-points up before Sherrington ran through to take the score to 12-57.
Aside from the power that Farmer, O'Leary and Porter were bringing to the scrums, their open play provided numerous breaks and Botha was enjoying his second match against Old Haileyburians. Cobham continued to dominate the final quarter, with Clark's additional power and stability in the scrum and strong carrying skills earning him the players man-of-the-match award.
The final two scores saw Penfold secure his hat-trick and Saywell adding his second (12-69) as Cobham ratcheted up the second highest score in the league this season. There were some very proud parents watching from the sidelines.
For the 'statos' out there, 16 of the 18 man Cobham squad have come through the minis/youth and they have scored the highest number of points 516 (266 at home, 250 away) in the league so far, with 11 try bonus points and three losing bonus points from 13 games. Oh and coaches Gus Darroch-Warren and Matt Hawkes have a 100% win record this season! The season record for individual tries scored is 19 and Rory Penfold has now scored 18 tries with nine fixtures to play.
Cobham's next match is at the Memorial Grounds against Haywards Heath on Saturday 4 January. All support is welcome.
Cobham 1st XV Squad:
1. Chris Lippiatt (Capt.)
2. Andrew Murphy
3. Timon Botha
4. Louis Porter
5. Will O’Leary
6. Tom Davison
7. Oliver Fox
8. Jake McQuade
9. Ryan Saunders
10. Connor Dellapina
11. Sandro Celebidachi*
12. Taylor Burnett
13. Will Palmer
14. Rory Penfold
15. Wilf Saywell
Substitutes:
16. Gabriel Clark
17. Hugh Farmer
18. Tomsk Sherrington
Debut*
Scorers:
Tries: Penfold (3), McQuade (2), Saywell (2), Burnett, Saunders, Sherrington, Celebidachi
Conversions: Dellapina (7)
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