3 days ago4 min read

Cobham leave it late to defeat Cornish is thriller

This fixture was preceded by the traditional Christmas lunch where the travelling London Cornish President Tony Lander and supporters, including Tom Davison's grandfather Bill Davison Snr, led the audience on the ‘12 Days of Xmas’ ala Fisherman Friends. President Tony then gave a great speech, where he nearly put the mockers on Cobham by suggesting they were now the league team to beat

London Cornish have been long standing rivals for Cobham and recent matches have always been close fought encounters with just one or two scores between the two teams. In September, Cobham had lost away by just a single point (37-36), so inevitably they wanted to provide post-Xmas lunch cheer to a large crowd of Cobham supporters. Played out in brilliant sunshine, what followed was possibly the most dramatic and exciting fixture these clubs have enjoyed for some time.

Jake McQuade made a welcome return to the bench after 10 weeks out; his last match having been against Cornish. This was also gap year student Knox O'Connor last match for Cobham before returning home to Australia. With both teams having recently beaten the previous league leaders Trinity, without conceding a point, there was nothing to choose between them and so it proved as both sides enjoyed distinct periods of domination.

Cornish's opening try, after just three minutes, came from a Cobham lineout adjudged to have not been straight; from the subsequent scrum, Cornish full back Ben Boorman came into the line to feed winger George Bromage, who scored in the corner (0-5).

Great tackling from Fin Savill gave Cobham a scrum and a pick-up from Number 8 Tom Davison provided Cobham with their first attack of the game. Winger Rory Penfold was brought down close to the line, but from a subsequent lineout, hooker Andrew Murphy looked to be on a mission to add a try before Xmas. Davison also came close to crossing the line, only for the ball to be dislodged in the tackle before he could touch down.

However, from the restart from under the posts, Penfold collected, passed to O'Leary who set-up the ruck. Saunders fed O'Connor, who kicked ahead for winger Jordan Bond to evade the defence and touch down for the try that Stephen converted. Cobham were in front 7-5 and we were back on script.

Cornish regained the lead when fly half Mike Edworthy kicked a penalty (7-8) before Stephen just missed an equivalent chance. Soon after, Cornish centre Dan Phoenix broke through and fed full back Ben Boorman to touch down under the posts for a converted tr y (7-15).

It was apparent how frustrating the missed try opportunity was to Davison, as he continued to create chances with his distinct pick and go move, but it was Cornish who extended their lead when centre Phoenix collected from a maul and put in a box kick for winder Bromage to collect, break the tackle and score (7-20). The crowd went quiet.

Cobham had not conceded three tries in a first half since losing to Hove and whereas in past seasons that could have resulted in heads going down, the resilience and skills of this Cobham side ensured they responded. O'Connor fed Penfold who, although heavily strapped, soared through the defence to score (12-20).

Within minutes of the Cornish kick-off, Cobham came again when a quick tap penalty from Davison set-up a backline move. Savill utilised his basketball skills to pass the ball to Bond and then Penfold, to score in the corner (17-20). Three tries apiece at half-time and game on.

Cobham started the second half as they finished the first and were in the ascendancy. Bond came close to scoring his second but was denied, although Cornish incurred a yellow card. With play close to the posts, Cobham chose the scrum. After Savill could not get through, Will Palmer sent a wide ball to Bond to reprise the assist to Penfold with a great offload for his hat-trick and the bonus point try. The lead was finally regained (22-20).

Maintaining the momentum and with possession coming from set-pieces, Cobham chose a scrum in the Cornish half. O'Connor sold an excellent dummy to race over and celebrate his last game with a try that Stephen converted (29-20). There were a few handbags thrown as frustration grew, but Cobham's sixth try came after several phases of play which involved virtually the whole squad. Full back Stephen created the opportunity, with prop Ryan Aujla going close. From the ensuing ruck, Palmer throw a long pass out for Penfold to score his fourth try of the match, Stephen hitting the crossbar with the conversion (34-20).

Restored to 15 men, it was now time for Cornish to show their fortitude as they battled back and benefiting from an extra man, after scrum half Saunders was yellow-carded, they took their opportunity to convert scrums into tries with substitute Will Spring going over and Edworthy converting (34-27). With the crowd once again checking the script, Cornish then scored a run away fifth try as winger Bromage ran from deep inside his own half to set up full back Boorman to score under the posts that levelled the score (34-34). Once again, with ten minutes to go, the Cornish, Cobham finale was set-up with no one able to call what the final result would be.

However, with Saunders back on the pitch, Cobham resumed their attacking intent and the pressure and excitement within the crowd was relieved when Stephen converted two penalty kicks, the latter being the last play of the match. Final score, 40-34.

An absorbing rugby match as always and Cobham are now fourth in the table with 45 points tied with Trinity, just two points off the new league leaders Old Rutlishans. Cobham have scored 447 points, claimed 10 try bonus points and ware now on a six-game winning streak. They finish the year away to Old Haileyburians on Saturday (21 December) and say goodbye and thank you to Aussie gap year students Sam Meehan, who played five games for the First XV, and Knox O'Connor, who has played in 11 of Cobham's 12 games.

Cobham 1st XV Squad:-

1. Chris Lippiatt (Capt.)

2. Andrew Murphy

3. Ryan Aujla

4. Louis Porter

5. Will O’Leary

6. Ed Jackson

7. Olly Fox

8. Tom Davison

9. Ryan Saunders

10. Knox O’Connor

11 Jordan Bond