This was the first fixture between Cobham and Eastbourne, played out in front of a packed clubhouse following the annual Cobham Ex-Players lunch. The home side welcomed back Tom Davison in the second row following his recent hand injury, with Jordan Bond returning after seven seasons away.
Cobham had enjoyed their win against KCS the previous week winning a tightly fought contest 22-25. In contrast, when Eastbourne played KCS at their home ground a month ago they had recorded the second highest score in the league so far (74-7). Although Eastbourne had lost some close encounters in recent weeks, this was anticipated to be a tight match and so it proved to be in the opening quarter after a breathtaking start by Cobham.
It was a full five minutes before the referee blew his whistle for a Cobham penalty in front of the visitors' posts; during which time the passing between backs and forwards was a foretaste of how the home side would take the ball forward all afternoon. Stephen successfully slotted over the penalty to put the hosts on the scoreboard (3-0) but they then had to defend their line as a larger Eastbourne team threw the ball around and took the game into Cobham's half.
It has been apparent in the last few games just how solid Cobham's defence has become and although it would be their attacking game that was clearly on display, without the tackles from across the squad the scoreline would have looked very different. After twenty minutes of even play, Eastbourne did convert an equalising penalty from centre Jake Howe (3-3). Knox O'Connor, still seeking his first try after a string of assists, seized a loose ball in Eastbourne’s twenty-two and raced under the posts for a well-deserved try, which Stephen converted (10-3).
Howe converted a second penalty for Eastbourne (10-6) and they were on course to take the lead as their backline broke the Cobham defence, only for the final pass to go wide. Rory Penfold collected, fed Saunders who set-up centre Will Palmer to acrobatically touch down under the posts to assist Stephen, who added the extras (17-6).
Eastbourne have lost their last three matches by small margins and they forced their way back into the match with what would have been a trademark Cobham try. A penalty kicked close to the corner, a well taken lineout and a rolling maul provided hooker Conrad O'Neill with the touch down. Howe slotted over the conversion to close the gap to 17-13. Game on.
The next Cobham score just before half-time set the tone for what was to happen in the second half, which was essentially breakaway tries reflecting the speed and agility of Cobham's backline. Penfold linked with Edmundson to gain territory and for Saunders to score his 50th Try for Cobham. Stephen retained his perfect kicking record and Cobham led at the break 24-13.
Cobham have had something of a reputation for taking their foot off the pedal in the second half but not in this match. Fin Savill, now on the field following an injury to Palmer, made an immediate impact, breaking through the Eastbourne defence and setting up Saunders for his 51st try and the bonus point score. Another Stephen conversion extended the lead to 31-13.
With strong crowd support, the home side continued to raise their game and the forwards who had been providing the ball for the backline now wanted a piece of the action, with Ollie Fielding racing over for an unconverted try (36-13). Fox was securing great lineout ball and White delivered one handed offloads, only for a number of final passes to go astray meaning Cobham lost a little of their momentum. However, that was soon revived for their sixth try which saw Davison link with full back Dellaphina to put Matt Frost in for the score, which Stephen converted for a 30-point lead (43-13).
Eastbourne had started to incur injuries during this period which saw them utilise all their substitutes. The tries kept coming for Cobham as winger Penfold utilised his speed and a neat dummy to go over for another converted try that brought the half century up (50-13). Showing great resilience, Eastbourne came back into the match as their stand off Aaron Hossack finally found a gap in the Cobham defence and scored, with Howe converting from wide out (50-20).
Unfortunately, Eastbourne suffered a further injury which required both teams physios supported by Dr Dave Silver; this took them down to just 13 players and although Cobham lost Bond to a yellow card, the numbers advantage enabled Penfold to score his second (55-20). In the closing minutes, Captain Lippiatt found himself on the wing, slipped the ball inside to centre Stephen for the ninth try that completed the scoring (60-20).
14 of this 18-man squad had been through the mini/youth section at Cobham and for Maggie and Stevie Burton, who were on the touch lines, this must be a wonderful tribute to Dave Burton who championed mini and youth rugby at Cobham for so many years.
Ian Thomas, Chairman of Cobham RFC, said after the match: “The lunch was very well enjoyed by close to 80 former players from across the 34 seasons we’ve been at Cobham. It was also great to see some of the Old Surbs present - some of whom played at Fairmile Lane in the early years of ownership of the ground, which was bought 75 years ago.”
We have heard from the Eastbourne President to say their player had a fractured fib displaced and is now in a cast; he thanked all Cobham medical team for their fast action and for being a very welcoming club and for being great hosts.
This weekend (23 November), Cobham face unbeaten league leaders Trinity away at their ground in South Croydon: https://trinityrfc.com/contact/. All support welcome.
The other results saw the 2nd XV pick up a great win against Haslemere, who were unbeaten in their respective league. Thanks to Haslemere head coach and former Cobham girls coach Vicky Alexander, who refereed the match. The Cobham All Stars went down 5-34 to a strong Weybridge Vandals Vets side.
Cobham 1st XV Squad:-
1. Chris Lippiatt (Capt.)
2. Andrew Murphy
3. Ryan Aujla
4. Tom Davison
5. Jamie White
6. Ollie Fielding
7. Olly Fox
8. Matt Frost
9. Ryan Saunders
10. Knox O'Connor
11. James Edmondson
12. Will Palmer
13. Will Stephen
14. Ryan Penfold
15. Connor Dellaphina
Substitutes:
16. Gabriel Clarke
17. Fin Savill
18. Jordan Bond
Scorers:
Tries: O'Connor, Palmer, Saunders (2), Fielding, Frost, Penfold (2), Stephen
Conversions: Stephen (6)
Penalty: Stephen
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