Cobham end the season with impressive win on the road

There can be no doubt that this has been a wonderful season of rugby for Cobham's 1st XV, who finished fourth in the very competitive Surrey/Sussex 1 league. In many ways, Cobham saved their very best for last by defeating the joint league leaders Old Ruslishians at their home ground. This was Rutlish's only home defeat they suffered all season and inevitably it will have been a disappointment for their large crowd of supporters.

Having lost their opening match of the season 31-48, Cobham ran in six tries to finish the season with this 24-39 victory and secure the highest points tally of the league 871, at an average of 39 points per game. Congratulations also to 26 year-old Ryan Aujla, who led the team out in his 100th cap for the first team.

Director of Rugby, Billy Davison knew that this would be a physical match against a strong team and elected to select a 'Bomb squad' of three forwards on the bench, relying upon the versatility of his back row to provide support in the back line as necessary. Without any recent rain, Rutlish's pitch was hard and dusty, making for a running game with plenty of tap penalties from both sides. After initial Cobham pressure, Rutlish's full back Dave Cecil ran from deep and having passed inside to their scrum half he looked to be clear before Davison tackled him and provided respite.

After that early incursion, the next 20 minutes saw Cobham dominating in the scrum. Captain Lippiatt chose that option in front of the posts where three points would have been there for the taking. After two quickly taken penalties, McQuade fed Palmer who was held up over the line. From the subsequent drop out, Fin Savill weaved his way through the defence before touching down for the opening try, which Dellapina converted (0-7).

Although the home side initially rallied, Cobham took the ball back into Rutlish territory where Davison came close, only to be penalised. Finally, after nearly 30 minutes of play, Old Ruts went over when centre Ollie O'Brien evaded tackles to score an unconverted try (5-7). Game on.

The end result of this match was defined by how quickly Cobham responded to Rutlish scores and this one took just two minutes. From a scrum and just two phases, the ball was worked down the line for winger Sandro Celebidachi to run in, which Dellapina converted from far out (5-14). With the half coming to a close, winger Burnett was adjudged to have been impeded by a high tackle. The referee awarded a penalty try (5-21) and the home side incurred a yellow card.

Cobham will have been delighted with their first half display, especially from their scrum which could boast 293 caps in the front three, 602 caps in the pack in total and 135 caps on the bench. However, they knew the joint league leaders would respond strongly. Great drives from McQuade, Lippiatt, Aujla, Westgarth-Taylor and Davison couldn’t be turned into points and it was Rutlish who claimed the first score of the half. O'Brien broke the defence and set-up winger Tom Checkley to score in the corner, which O'Brien converted (12-21).

There followed some great rugby from both sides who knew the next score was key. Fin Savill ran the ball out of Cobham's twenty-two, but when he tried to intercept a later pass, he was penalised and received a yellow card so Cobham were now a man down. However, a great positional kick from Penfold provided the territory for a turnover at the lineout that McQuade turned into a bonus point try (12-26).

Rutlish responded by turning a take at the lineout into an unopposed drive for the line (17-26). With Savill back on the pitch and a scrum close to the line, provided McQuade with a pick-up to Penfold who fed Taylor Burnett to crash over on the wing for Cobham's fifth score (17-31). An infringement by Rutlish soon after gave Cobham the opportunity for their first penalty kick, which Dellapina converted (17-34).

Full back Wilf Saywell then saved what looked to be a certain try and the ball was cleared by Penfold to relieve the pressure. With time running out, there was an opportunity for Savill to score his second try and he chased down a kick ahead (17-39). There was just time left for Rutlish to score a consolation converted try (24-39), before the referee blew his whistle to conclude the league season.

This final match saw Cobham support from their peer group and recently retired players, who congratulated them, the playing and coaching squad, on winning 14 and drawing one of their 22 games. In doing that, they scored more points and achieved more try scoring and losing bonus points than any other team in the league. However, for their supporters, it will be the exciting manner in which they played their rugby all season that will be the lasting memory.

This weekend, Cobham are at home to Twickenham in the first round of the Papa John’s Cup and all support is welcome.

Cobham 1st XV:-

1. Chris Lippiatt (Capt.)(M/Y)

2. Andrew Murphy

3. Ryan Aujla* (M/Y)

4. Luke Westgarth-Taylor

5. Louis Porter (M/Y)

6. Ollie Fielding (M/Y)

7. Tom Davison (M/Y)

8. Jake McQuade (M/Y)

9. Rory Penfold (M/Y)

10. Connor Dellapina (M/Y)

11. Taylor Burnett (M/Y)

12. Fin Savill (M/Y)

13. Will Palmer (M/Y)

14. Sandro Celebidachi

15. Wilf Saywell (M/Y)

Substitutes:

16. Ant Moss

17. Will O’Leary (M/Y)

18. Olly Fox (M/Y)

MY - Mini/Youth

100th Cap*

Scorers:

Tries: Savill (2), Burnett, McQuade, Celebidachi, Penalty

Conversions: Dellapina (2)

Penalty: Dellapina