Director of Rugby Steve Pope was able to put out a strong side for this mid table clash. James Clement returning from injury on the wing and Ross Jones Davies coming in at fly half strengthened a back line that hadn’t ever looked particularly weak all season. On paper Cobham should have been able to edge this game, which the final score confirmed, however that should not take anything away from Chobham who, in the second half in particular, displayed a strong comeback and never gave up.
If Cobham’s backline was strong the first couple of scrums demonstrated that the pack were going to be dominant all afternoon as well and after twenty minutes of probing by each side the first score went to Cobham number 8 Matt Koep with a well taken pushover try. Ross Jones Davies converting 7-0.
Within a few minutes Cobham were again over the line this time as a result of excellent running and support play by full back James Clement and winger Max MacDonald ultimately providing Clement with a score on his return to the squad. With Jones Davies adding the extras Cobham were developing their lead .14-0.
Chobham were to show resilience all afternoon and just when the home side would have been feeling comfortable with their efforts the Chobham pack provided Ex Cobham player Joe McVey with his own pushover try 14-5.
Ross Jones Davies who started his career at Cobham in the mini section was enjoying his return to the Memorial grounds and with one of many breaks provided hooker Jake McQuade with the next score 19-5 . As if to compound Chobham’s woes they then proceeded to lose two key players in two minutes as first scrum half Ian Barnes was yellow carded and then winger Josh Devitt went off for a shoulder injury.
Chobham were able to just prevent a further pushover try but they could not stop Captain Robbie Kennard 'spinning' his way over the line for a try that was converted just before half time 26-5.
With the prospect of playing the first ten minutes of the second half against 14 players Cobham would have fancied their chances but it was Chobham who started stronger just failing to go over in the corner. If it hadn’t been for a second yellow card that prevented the visitors playing with a full team for twenty minutes this might have been a closer contest and although Koep scored his second try to take Cobham to 33-5 Chobham dug deep and scored two tries in quick succession 33-17, leading their supporters just wondering...
Whilst inquisitorial questions could be posed of Cobhams defence in providing Chobham with a way back no such questions arose when the home side had the ball in hand. Strong running from Koep and Jones Davies linked with Rooke to take the score to 38-17 and with dominance restored McQuade got his second score to make it seven tries and a final score of 43-17
Director of Rugby Pope said 'It's been an eventful week at the club...first and most importantly congratulations to Dave Silver and his wife Jenny on the arrival of their baby daughter. We are all delighted for you .
- Josh Brown
- Jake McQuade
- Ben Joyce
- Tom Hilton Stevens
- Joe Goddard
- Doug Rodman
- Ali Porter
- Matt Koep
- Robbie Kennard
- Ross Jones Davies
- James MacDonald
- Charlie Rooke
- Matt Goddard
- Max MacDonald
- James Clement
Subs
- Andy Alexander
- Nathan Spratt
- Ollie Weir
Tries :- McQuade (2) Koep (2) Rooke, Kennard and Clement
Conversions Jones :- Davies (4)
