Cobham’s 1st XV squad travelled to Grasshoppers RFC's ground at Isleworth on Saturday (10 February) to play their twice delayed fixture against Old Alleynians RFC.
Old Alleynians is the old boy's association for Dulwich College but, like Cobham, its rugby section is now an open club. Having won not only their league but the Papa John's Community Cup at Twickenham last May, they are enjoying a successful season sitting third in the league and with five senior teams, they enjoy a significant advantage over other teams in terms of the depth within their playing squad.
Louis Porter was Captain for the first time on a day where Max took over as the most popular christian name for a Cobham player, who started strongly. The performance of half back pairing of Max Franks and Ben Littlefair did not suggest this was their first match together. The home side defence had to be solid to withstand Cobham gaining the opening score.
Having withstood the pressure, OA's then took advantage of their possession and back row Hadley Eames ran in for the opening score that fullback Josh Winduss converted (7-0). Winduss came close to adding to that score soon after but loose passing was a feature of the early play from OA's, while Cobham's set-piece work enabled Littlefair to provide relieving kicks all afternoon.
Old Alleynians were able to double their score when their second row and Captain Gill Crouch drove over and Winduss added the extras (14-0). Max Macdonald, again playing in his new position at centre, broke the line. However, the ball went loose and was picked up by centre Dan Holmes who produced a searing run, before linking up with his midfield partner Charlie Austin-Groomes to touch down, which was successfully converted (21-0).
When the Cobham backline had the ball, they always looked dangerous but the defence was proving too strong. Then just before half-time, OA's collected their bonus point try when scrum half Briain Leonard scored and Winduss retained his 100% conversion record (28-0).
It is credit to this young Cobham team that despite the onslaught that came in the second half they did not cave in. After a brace of tries from second row Tom Grahamslaw and a try from Winduss to extend the lead (45-0), Littlefair got the chance to put Cobham on the scoreboard with a well taken penalty (45-3).
Despite hooker Alex Birdwell adding to the score line and bringing up the half century (50-3) the stage was set for Cobham to run in one of their best tries of the season. Full back Joe Wagg had been threatening all afternoon but on this occasion from deep inside the Cobham half he burst down the line and linked up with back row forward Max Hansen, which Littlefair converted (50-10).
Old Alleynians scored two further tries to close the game out (62-10), meaning Cobham now travel to bottom club London Cornish this weekend for a key game looking to take them out of the relegation zone.
Cobham 1st XV Squad:-
1. Richard Nunn
2. Ryan Aujla
3. Luke Bliss
4. Jonny Hudson
5. Hugh Farmer
6. Max Hales
7. Max Hanson
8. Louis Porter (Capt,)
9. Max Frank
10. Ben Littlefair
11. Will Hebbes
12.Taylor Burnett
13. Max MacDonald
14. Michael Osner*
15. Joe Wagg
Substitutes:
16. Joel O'Keefe
17. Sam Matcham
18. George O'Connor
Scorers:
Try: Hansen
Conversion: Littlefair
Penalty: Littlefair
*Debut
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