Cobham control the conditions to topple league leaders Beckenham

Cobham travelled to Beckenham for the first time in a couple of years having made nine changes to the starting line-up; some were coming back after a week’s absence, alongside three debutants, number eight Sam Reynolds, winger Ben Cox and Seb Pugh from the replacements bench. Thirteen of the 18 players represented Cobham at Youth or Under 22s, but there were going up against two key challenges. Firstly, the hosts were four from four and top of the league and secondly the weather, with heavy rain and a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch.

Beckenham kicked off with the wind behind their backs, so Cobham's task was to keep the score as close as possible going into the second half. The opening minutes highlighted the issue, as Cobham struggled to exit their own half and the first points went to Beckenham from a penalty kicked by their fly half Liam Caddy (0-3).

From the restart, Cobham won the ball and a great break by Bond saw him kick through for wing Leo Hales to chase but the defender won the race and secure a goal line drop out. Unsurprisingly, the hosts kicked it way downfield and Cobham were forced to kick to touch and Beckenham had made 80 metres with one kick. From the lineout, Beckenham ran the ball but lost possession and an attempted fly hack up-field by Cobham was missed. The ball popped up for full back Lewis Bunton to run in under the posts and open up a two-score lead after ten minutes (0-10).

Given the conditions, next up was a brilliant Cobham try. From their own half, a chip ahead was caught by Davison, resulting in a penalty and a scrum. McQuade carried it to halfway for another penalty and a scrum again. Reynolds carried, before a break by Dellapina saw Bond got on the end of a kick into the corner that halved the deficit (10-5).

The restart went dead, so a scrum back on halfway and entry into the Beckenham half. A good chase gave Cobham a lineout resulting in a strong carry by Turpen but the ball was lost, allowing Beckenham to kick deep. The visitors tactics were now pick and go that were perfect for the conditions, keeping the ball after a series of drives. A high kick from Connor was dropped by the hosts, Cobham ran it and an equalising try was called back for a forward pass. The visitors won the ball back, allowing McQuade to barge through but another scoring pass to Bond was called forward once again.

Another kick downfield into the Cobham half, saw the visitors try to run it back but a pass was dropped. Fortunately, a penalty was awarded for an early tackle and after a series of set pieces, a kick through was put down by the hosts on halfway. Reynolds picked up the loose ball, passed to Saunders who ran in from 40 metres out to level the score (10-10). Despite Westgarth-Taylor picking up a yellow card, more excellent pick and go work allowed Cobham to see out the half with no further scores.

The tactics were surely to play in Beckenham's half from here on in and Cobham made a decent start when a penalty in front of the posts allowed Millerd to add three points (10-13). It got better when Cobham returned the restart into Beckenham's half and a great turnover by McQuade gave Cobham possession. With no one defence at home, Saunders slotted a lovely kick over the top and Bond won the foot race to open up a two-score lead (10-18). Cobham then sat deep in the home sides twenty-two, with further pick and goes looking after the ball. Eventually the pressure told and McQuade drove over which Millerd converted (10-25).

That left 25 minutes to go but nothing really happened in that time except for Seb Pugh came on for his debut, alongside Ben Joyce and Hugh Farmer. Cobham kept Beckenham in their own half with the visitors defence and the wind making it near impossible for the league leaders to get out. A scrum penalty with two minutes remaining was slotted by Millerd to completed the scoring. Final score, 10-28.

This was an amazing performance and five points away from home. Given the changes and the top of the table opposition, a potential tough day was one on the cards but Cobham played the conditions perfectly. Into the wind they held onto the ball and with the wind, played in Beckenham's half. The scrum was dominant and all the forwards were fantastic, with plenty of driving play from debutant Reynolds, while in the backs McQuade got the team over the gain line, while Connor Dellapina and Bond's kicking games ensured Cobham played in the right areas. A great team effort.

Dartfordians are next up at home on Saturday (31 October), with all support welcome.

Cobham 1st XV Squad:

1. Chris Lippiatt (Capt.)

2. Andrew Murphy

3. Ryan Aujla

4. Luke Westgarth-Taylor

5. Louis Porter

6. Abe Turpen

7. Tom Davison

8. Sam Reynolds*

9. Ryan Saunders

10. Connor Dellapina

11. Leo Hales

12. Jake McQuade

13. Josh Millerd

14. Ben Cox*

15. Jordan Bond

Substitutes:

16. Ben Joyce

17. Hugh Farmer

18. Seb Pugh*

* First 1XV debut