Cobham complete unbeaten league season with victory over Old Cats

19 hours ago
5 min read

Saturday (25 April) was a day to remember for Cobham Rugby Club as it celebrated this extraordinary season in style. It was so very appropriate that the final game of the season was preceded by the annual Old Surbitonians RFC former players and Braemar Allstars lunch – an opportunity for past players of the Old Surbitonians and Cobham RFC to come together and recall seasons and tours gone by.

The Braemar Club was formed in 1985 as a focal point for former Old Surbitonian players and former pupils of Surbiton Grammar School so that they could to meet, socialise, reminisce and support the club at Cobham. Members of the Old Surbitonians were also responsible for the founding of the mini rugby section back in the early 1980s, which then led to youth rugby that now provides 15 to 16 former youth players for our 1st and 2nd team matchday squads every week.

Special shout out to Carl Lemmer, who had, within one week, organised Surrey/Sussex 2025/26 champions flags to adorn the pavilion, as Captain Lippiatt led his team out to a guard of honour and flares. The unbeaten record beckoned for only the second time since 2006/07 but following Old Cats extraordinary result the previous week, drawing 59-59, nothing could be taken for granted.

Cobham kicked off in brilliant sunshine with hundreds of supporters on the pavilion balcony and touchlines cheering Cobham on. Old Cats number eight Oscar Nye made the first of many impressions, but having kicked away possession it was Saunders who missed out two players to send winger Inis McDonagh on the first of many forays he would make.

Cobham's opening try came from a Porter take at the lineout on the Old Cat's twenty-two, a rolling maul fed to Noah Joyce who created space for Saunders. In turn he released Saywell who fed Tom Incledon, who timed his pass immaculately to Redknapp. Saywell, taking on the kicking duties, had no trouble adding the extras after four minutes (7-0). A kick-off into touch brought the first scrum where McQuade picked up. Saunders launched McDonagh again and although he was tackled into touch, from the lineout that followed a loose ball was picked up by Saunders who found second row Harker not marked on the wing to dive over. Saywell had a difficult conversion from the corner but as the afternoon would demonstrate, Saywell does difficult (14-0).

Old Cats will not want to play back Cobham's third try which took just 23 seconds from the restart. Porter collected, Saunders fed Saywell who passed to Redknapp to storm down the wing before finding Saunders in support, who withstood the tackle to score under the posts with just ten minutes on the clock (21-0). Three scores in such a short time frame will have rattled any team, but Old Cats fought back over the next 20 minutes, playing their best rugby of the afternoon that required solid defence from Cobham. After a period of constant pressure, the Big Cats in the form of second row James Scott, broke the line and although he was brought down, Nye collected and score. Full back Kristian Taylor added the conversion (21-7).

Old Cats now emulated Cobham's third try when they collected from the kick-off, charged into Cobham's territory and scrum half Zachary Uddoh scored a virtuoso try under the posts (21-14). That hadn't been written in the Cobham script and they needed the next score to steady nerves. With the first half drawing to a close, Cobham launched an attack on the line where Captain Lippiatt and Joe Patient featured. This enabled Saunders to find McDonagh for the score. Saywell converted again before the ref signalled half-time (28-14).

On a day where fast tries were obviously a thing, from the Old Cats kick off Porter collected fed to McQuade who battered his way into the visitors territory. Saunders fed Penfold, who was brought down, but Porter drove for the line, allowing Saunders to dummy and score after just 29 seconds (35-14). That try set the pattern for the second half, as Cobham chased down their 20th win but before doing so, Old Cats full back Taylor intercepted and, despite Saywell's best effort to chase him down, he scored an unconverted try (35-19).

Cobham's next try took them relatively ages at 65 seconds, when a scrum from the restart provided McQuade with the try he has been waiting for all season; brushing off four tackles to bull doze his way over for what was becoming another inevitable seven point try (42-19). Murphy Draper and Botha came on for Patient Saunders and Lewis Joyce, to provide fresh legs. Old Cats came close to another interception try, but they were prevented by a tackle close to the line and with dropped passes becoming a feature, they were feeling the pressure.

A tap penalty by Saywell set Redknapp loose down the line, only to be held up, but shortly thereafter when a loose ball at the foot of an Old Cat scrum was kicked ahead by Noah Joyce, he enjoyed a sublime bounce into his hands to touch down under the posts (49-19). Another fast try followed, as Porter collected and passed to Redknapp, who gained ground. From the ruck, Draper passed to Saywell, who provided a pinpoint cross kick to McDonagh for his second try. Saywell once again secured an excellent conversion from far out (56-19).

Old Cats had one last chance in the corner, but Redknapp recovered and provided a relieving run. With Director of Rugby urging Cobham for one more, McDonagh delivered under the posts for his hat trick, Saywell retaining his ninth conversion for a 100% record. Final score, 63-19.

As the team huddled for the last time to learn how proud DOR Billy Davison was, Carl and Team Manager Tom Schofield had also arranged Surrey Sussex Champions t-shirts for the extended squad group photo.

Unbeaten after 20 league fixtures, promotion to Level 6, 19 try bonus scoring points, with only Hove preventing a fourth try, and a 100-point final league tally, 920 points for and a 508 points difference. 145 tries in the season, 20 tries for Rory Penfold, 19 tries for Charley Redknapp in his debut season, 10 tries for Captain Lippiatt leading from the front with nine of the squad being under 23.

What a season to remember.

Cobham 1st XV Squad:-

1. Chris Lippiatt (Capt.)

2. Joe Patient

3. Lewis Joyce

4. Joe Harker

5. Louis Porter

6. Noah Joyce

7. Olly Fox

8. Jake McQuade

9. Ryan Saunders

10. Wilf Saywell