Cobham are becoming accustomed to playing their rugby during storms and Saturday's match was played out with Storm Darragh as the backdrop. Inevitably, it played its part in providing wind advantage in each half. Cobham had last played East Grinstead at the Memorial Grounds in September 2012 when the eventual league winners came out on top 31-68.
Although having a difficult season, East Grinstead had come within one try of beating second placed Old Rutlishians the previous week. Cobham were able to field 12 of the squad that had defeated Trinity and welcomed back scrum half Ryan Saunders.
From the kick-off Cobham looked dangerous and although centre Fin Savill was brought down within metres of the try line, from the ensuing ruck Saunders sent the ball wide to put winger James Edmondson over. In difficult conditions, full back Conor Dellaphina wasn’t able to convert but Cobham were 5-0 up after only two minutes.
Stung by that early try, East Grinstead responded strongly and competed well in the scrum with possession and territory both even for the next quarter. The Cobham lineout was a strength all afternoon with back row forwards Fielding and Fox dominant, while O'Leary and Murphy carried strongly but credit to the visitors, whose defence prevented any further scores.
However, with the Cobham pressure inexorably increasing and after the forwards were denied a try, the ball was fed wide to Fin Savill to score in the corner; Dellaphina defied the conditions to convert well (12-0). Cobham continued to drive forward but, belying their league position, East Grinstead held firm until half-time.
The visitors had the advantage of the wind for the second half, to the extent that Cobham were running their penalty ball from their own half. They then went a man down to a yellow card infringement but against the run of play, Cobham collected a penalty kick from deep inside their half. Some deft interplay between the backs followed, which resulted in centre Will Palmer racing over to score and Dellaphina adding the extras (19-0).
Despite the conditions and East Grinstead pressure it looked as if Cobham would retain a second successive clean slate. The visitors deservedly broke the hosts defence for the ball to be fed wide and a try for their fly half Noah Roberts, which he successfully converted (19-7).
With the match drawing to a close, Cobham gained territorial advantage and a short kick forward by O'Connor enabled O'Leary to touch down under the posts for the bonus point try. Dellaphina added his third conversion of the afternoon and the match ended 26-7.
Cobham's winning streak continued and at the halfway stage of the season they are joint third in the league with the highest number of points scored (407) and try bonus points (9 from 11 matches). This weekend they have their second consecutive home match against long-term rivals London Cornish after the Xmas lunch, so it would be useful if Storm Eowyn could come midweek!
Cobham 1st XV Squad:
1. Chris Lippiatt (Capt.)
2. Andrew Murphy
3. Ryan Aujla
4. Louis Porter
5. Will O’Leary
6. Ollie Fielding
7. Olly Fox
8. Matt Frost
9. Ryan Saunders
10. Knox O’Connor
11. James Edmondson
12. Fin Savill
13. Will Palmer
14. Rory Penfold
15. Connor Dellapina
Substitutes:
16. Gabriel Clark
17. Luke Westgarth-Taylor
18. Will Stephen
Scorers:
Tries: Edmondson, Savill, Palmer, O’Leary
Conversions: Dellapina (3)
Match Gallery:
