Cobham cement top spot following another commanding performance

It felt very appropriate that Cobham should be playing this fixture at their Memorial Grounds so that both teams could acknowledge a two-minute silence for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Cobham were very fortunate to have Cobham Allstar Alex Gaze as the bugler to provide the poignant introduction.

This match was played in front of an enthusiastic audience of ex-players following their annual lunch and the official opening of the new, fully accessible state-of-the-art spectator stand. This is an extraordinary achievement for Cobham, providing a blueprint for other sports clubs.

As if that was not enough, the Cobham squad celebrated the achievements of 100 caps for Captain Chris Lippiatt and second row Louis Porter, and 50 caps for utility player Taylor Burnett and full back Will Stephen. Cobham have been playing London Cornish over many recent seasons and all the matches have been tightly fought. Cobham won the last match back in December 40-34, but Cornish have a scalp this season that Cobham will want to emulate as they recently defeated Trinity.

Cobham were out of the blocks fast, scoring three tries within the first 15 minutes. The first came from a lineout rolling maul close to the Cornish try line with hooker Wilby throwing in, Porter collecting seamlessly and then tucking himself in as the maul drove over the line. After a series of scrums in the Cornish twenty-two, Davison picked up from the back row, fed Penfold, Bond and then Stephen, who scurried over in the corner (10-0).

Cornish were desperate to get themselves into the game and from the restart gained territory and possession. As the ball sped down the line, James Mitchell took an opportunity to intercept from inside his half and touched down under the post, presenting Dellapina with a simple conversion (17-0). The visitors knew that they had to make the next score to break Cobham's dominance, but first their defence needed to withstand the constant pressure from Penfold, Redknapp and Bond incursions.

Eventually, after defending their line, Cornish gained the territory they needed to give themselves an opportunity. After Cobham lost centre, Alcorn, following an altercation close to their own line, the visitors took immediate advantage as number 8 Niko Milo Miksevic-Sordo broke the defence to score under the posts for a converted try (17-7). Cobham withstood further pressure and that was relieved when Mitchell made another interception, this time passing to Wilby to run-in from halfway for his brace of tries before half-time (22-7).

Cornish regrouped after the break and although Cobham continued to pressure, no further scores could be achieved. With the bright sunlight fading, a tap penalty from Davison allowed him to score in front of the new spectator stand and Dellapina added the conversion (29-7).

Saunders had come on from the bench and put in a try saving tackle in the corner as Cornish aimed to fight back. There was a frenetic period of play as the game went back and forth, but it was Cobham who turned pressure into points. Wilby reprised his first try by turning a lineout into an unstoppable rolling maul, although Dellapina hit the upright with the conversion attempt.

Cobham's seventh and eighth tries were their best of the match as the time ticked down. Bond weaved his way downfield to set-up Dellapina (41-7) before Redknapp, back on for his second opportunity, set-up Alcorn, with both tries delighting the stand spectators. Final score, 46-7.

Cobham retain their lead at the top of the table having recorded six try bonus points in their six matches, having scored 325 points and average of over 50 points per game. After a week’s rest, Cobham are away to Old Rutlishians on 22 November.

Cobham 1st XV Squad:-

1. Chris Lippiatt** (Capt.)

2. Louis Wilby

3. Ben Joyce

4. Hugh Farmer

5. Louis Porter**

6. Ben Yorke M/Y

7. Matt Frost

8. Tom Davison

9. Rory Penfold

10. Connor Dellapina

11. Charley Redknapp

12. James Mitchell

13. Oli Alcorn

14. Will Stephen*

15. Jordan Bond

Substitutes:

16. Lewis Joyce

17. Taylor Burnett*

18. Ryan Saunders

* 50 1st XV Caps – Taylor Burnett and Will Stephen

** 100 1st XV Caps – Chris Lippiatt and Louis Porter

Scorers:

Tries: Wilby (3), Stephens, Mitchell, Dellapina, Alcorn, Davison

Conversions: Dellapina (3)

Man of the Match: Louis Wilby

Cobham’s 2nd XV recorded a fantastic 45–17 victory on the road against Bec Old Boys. It was an awesome all-round performance, where the team executed the game plan to the letter and took the match away from their opponents. Notable contributions came from Captain Gabel Clark, Freddie Joyce, Dylan Redford, Joe Harker, Ben Keller and Wes Old.

Scorers:

Tries: Dernbach, Draper, Old, Redford, Harker, Broom, Cox

Conversions: Draper (5)