Dec 19, 20233 min read

Cobham close out the year with home defeat to local rivals Reeds

Losing away to Medway in the final minute last time out was disappointing for Cobham and meant that they had lost their last four games. They also went into this fixture were looking to avenge the defeat that they had suffered to Reeds earlier in the season (25-5).

Cobham had held their Christmas Lunch before the game and as a local derby, Old Reedonians were very well supported so this match was played in front of hundreds of supporters vying to gain the best view. Aside from looking to achieve victory away from home, Reeds were also smarting from having lost the previous week to London Cornish (26-23).

Cobham started strongly and retaining possession tested the Reeds defence, and it was apparent from those early incursions that breaking the line would be challenging. Davison and Captain Saunders led the way and following this pressure, Reeds gave away a penalty that centre Johnny Holmes slotted over for first blood (3-0).

When Reeds finally gained possession they sent it wide with centre Matt Stevenson launching their wing Marcus Clarke down the wing, but the Cobham defence ensured the try was averted although a penalty gave Cole the chance to draw the scores level (3-3). Cobham replied immediately following a trademark tap penalty from Saunders and the Reeds infringement enabled Holmes to restore the lead (6-3).

The Reeds Captain was yellow carded to give Cobham the man advantage to extend the lead but it was a break away from Reeds winger Moriaty, feeding Stevenson and then Corner to touch down against the run of play, with Cole converting that put Reeds in front for the first time (6-10). Cobham came back into the Reeds half and from a penalty for a high tackle, Stephen kicked for the lineout, which was secured and hooker Murphy drove over to restore the lead (11-10).

Reeds had been dominating the scrums to that point and Director of Rugby Billy Davison introduced subs Luke Bliss and Dave Stewart to the front row. But with Reeds restored to 15 men, Cobham lost centre Burnett close to the line and Reeds took advantage to run the ball wide for Corner to score his second try, with Cole adding the extras before the ref blew for half time (11-17).

Cobham will have been frustrated that they had not been able to turn their possession in the first half into more points and would be starting the second half a man down. Reeds took immediate advantage with full back Cole running through the defence to score with another try following in quick succession. Cole converted both (11-31) and a 20-point advantage was looking too much of a lead for Cobham to recover from.

Following a Cobham red card for an off the ball infringement, both sides looked to run the ball in the remaining minutes. Reeds substitute Milsom scored a converted try before the home side finally achieved some compensation when second row Felix Lowe went over (16-38). It was Reeds, however, who closed the scoring with a sixth try and a hat-trick from Corners in the final minute making the final score 16-45.

Cobham will have been disappointed with the final result and will lick their wounds over Xmas before the league season returns in the New Year.

Cobham 1st XV Squad:-

1. Chris Lippiatt

2. Andrew Murphy

3. Ryan Aujla

4. Felix Lowe

5. Doug Rodman

6. Louis Porter

7. Olly Fox

8. Tom Davison

9. Ryan Saunders ( Captain)

10. Will Stephen