A hat-trick for Penfold as Cobham defeat Hove and extend unbeaten run

Although Cobham came out on top in the November fixture (21-10), Hove had made Cobham work hard for that victory and in the equivalent away fixture in October 2024, Hove secured a 39-33 win . Director of Rugby, Billy Davison and the management team are well aware that Cobham cannot afford to slip up as the season reaches an exciting finish. Captain Lippiatt was back from injury, while Tom Davison and Jordan Bond also returned.

After Cobham kicked off in bright conditions, Hove enjoyed possession and territory for the first ten minutes with fly half Jordi Southgate putting the home side in front with a well taken penalty (3-0). Cobham haven't been in that situation many times this season and following an excellent lineout take from Harker, the ball travelled down the line for Davison to offload backhand to Dellapina. He passed to Bond, who provided Penfold with space to run in for a try in the corner that Redknapp couldn’t convert (3-5).

Davison secured possession from the restart, but Hove withstood the pressure and took the ball back down to the Cobham half. Hove won another penalty and Southgate put the home side back in front with another excellent kick (6-5). Almost immediately, Cobham won a penalty and Redknapp stepped up to restore the lead (6-8). It’s difficult to recall when the predominant scores in a game this season were coming from penalty kicks, but perhaps an indicator of how finely balanced the game was being played out.

A great run to the line by the Hove full back was held-up, a trademark line break from MacQuade followed. It was a Dellapina cross kick to Penfold that provided him with the space to step inside the defence and touch down (6-13). It was Penfold, this time in defence, who prevented what looked to be a certain try for Hove. Slowly but surely Cobham were responding, turning defence into attack and but for a high tackle, centre Fin Savill might have scored. Hove were penalised and received a yellow card for the infringement.

Cobham took advantage of the extra man as the half drew to a close and with McQuade gaining the yards, Saunders looked to have broken for the line only to be held up. He was supported by Captain Lippiatt, who celebrated his return with his ninth try of the season, with Dellapina adding the conversion (6-20). Hove started this fixture averaging 35 points per game, so being restricted to six in the first half demonstrated just how well Cobham were defending.

With no breakthrough for either side in the first 12 minutes of the second half, Cobham took their chance to extend their lead when Redknapp was given the opportunity to convert his second penalty (6-23). Maintaining the pressure, Cobham spun the ball wide after taking a tap penalty, resulting in Penfold scoring his hat-trick of tries and move to 18 for the season (6-28). However, Cobham then lost Dellapina to a shoulder injury and MacQuade, so often found in the backline, took a permanent position in the centre as Aujla came on in the scrum.

From the kick-off, Lippiatt and Davison looked to have broken the line but the final pass could not find hands. However, on an afternoon where final kicks and passes made the difference, Jordan Bond chased down a kick ahead to score (6-33). Hove have never had to wait so long for a try this season and when it eventually came there was relief from their supporters (11-33). There was just time left for Savill to score the try he was prevented from claiming in the first half, as he evaded the Hove defence. Burnett converted to complete the scoring (11-40).

This was a good solid performance from Cobham, who held firm against a strong Hove team. It was their 17th consecutive league win. Cobham now play third-placed Trinity at home this weekend (28 March); all support will be hugely appreciated.

Thanks to Drop Kick Brewing and Dawg House Pizza for looking after the team on Saturday night.

Cobham 1st XV Squad:

1. Chris Lippiatt (Capt.)

2. Joe Patient

3. Ben Joyce

4. Joe Harker

5. Hugh Farmer

6. Noah Joyce

7. Tom Davison

8. Jake McQuade

9. Ryan Saunders

10. Connor Dellapina

11. Charley Redknapp

12. Fin Savill

13. Taylor Burnett

14. Rory Penfold

15. Jordan Bond

Substitutes:

16. Ryan Aujla

17. Lewis Joyce

18. Louis Porter

Scorers:

Tries: Penfold (3), Savill, Lippiatt, Bond

Conversions: Dellapina, Burnett

Penalties: Redknapp (2)

Man of the Match: Joe Patient