Cobham fight back for victory at Eastbourne to take top spot

Cobham travelled to Eastbourne's The Saffron's ground where they have been playing their rugby since being founded in 1892. The last away fixture at Eastbourne back in March saw Cobham play most of the match with 14 men, as they incurred three yellow cards, and despite playing some great rugby, the home side won a close encounter 24-17.

Eastbourne's league results in recent weeks meant Cobham knew they would not be repeating their 15-try fest from the previous week against this opposition. There were changes in the pack as a Joyce father and son combo came into the front row and Jordon Bond started at fly half. There was also a first start of the season for Will Stephens at full back.

Of all the matches Cobham have played so far this season this game had some very different patterns of possession, territory and dominance. Indeed, the visitors found themselves two scores down (31-19), before fighting back to win and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

The initial 20 minutes saw Cobham pressurising Eastbourne in their half. There was some great defence from Cobham, in particular centre Mitchell, and whilst opportunities were created, they could not be converted into points. Bond had settled into his new position and came close with a kick through to the Eastbourne line, but could not touch down. However, the next opportunity soon followed, as he evaded numerous tackles to get over the line, with Stephens converting (0-7).

Despite their dominance, that was the only time Cobham would be in front until the final quarter of the match. Eastbourne upped their game resulting in a try in the corner for winger Dylan Viles converted from far out by fly half Jake Howe (7-7). The previous week Cobham had enjoyed tries straight from the restart, but for once their defence could not prevent Eastbourne doing the same as centre Tom Marchant set up the backline to connect with, Viles run through and Howe converting again (14-7).

Cobham needed the next score and that came within minutes, when Farmer took a great take at the lineout. The ball went across the field, before Bond weaved through the opposition and fed Edmondson on the wing for touchdown (14-12). A Davison, Farmer, Penfold play could not be developed, meaning the first half ended with Eastbourne narrowly ahead. Despite the possession and territory Cobham had enjoyed, they had not fully taken their chances.

The host’s lead was extended just four minutes into the second half. Whilst Marchant couldn't scramble over the line, Howe did before adding the conversion (21-12). Cobham needed to restore momentum and that came through a double sidestep try under the posts from Bond, which Stephens converted restoring the two-point difference (21-19).

However, Eastbourne responded again, first with a try under the posts from a scrum five metres out, with number eight Owen Davies powering over. Howe converted (28-19) before converting a penalty in front of the posts, after Cobham were offside, making it 31-19 with the final quarter left to play.

The visitors hadn’t faced that sort of deficit all season, so credit to their resilience for what followed. They created pressure from the kick-off, camped on the Eastbourne try line and eventually Captain Lippiatt claimed the much-needed score (31-24). Cobham's next try was their best of the afternoon. It involved many different phases of play that looked too involve the whole team, and from the pressure created, Lippiatt went over again. Stephens converted to draw the scores level (31-31).

From the restart, McQuade collected and Penfold fed the ball down the line. Oli Alcorn showed his skills and it needed a try saving tackle to stop Celebidachi scoring in the corner. However, it was Bond again who stepped inside to finally take Cobham back into the lead with a converted try (31-38). With time ticking down, a smart decision to kick a penalty and add three points create a two-score buffer and another victory. Final score, 31-41.

Well played Cobham for coming from behind and to secure their place at the top of the league with five wins out of five.

There is a pause to the league campaign, with a second-round cup game against Andover at Cobham this weekend (25 October).

Cobham 1st XV Squad:-

1. Chris Lippiatt (Capt.)

2. Lewis Joyce 

3. Ben Joyce

4. Hugh Farmer

5. Will O’Leary

6. Louis Porter

7. Tom Davison

8. Jake McQuade

9. Rory Penfold

10. Jordan Bond

11. Sandro Celebidachi

12. James Mitchell

13. Oli Alcorn

14. James Edmondson

15. Will Stephens

Substitutes:

16. Gabe Clark

17. Ben Yorke

18. Nick Draper

Scorers:

Tries: Bond (3), Lippiatt (2), Edmondson

Conversions: Stephen (4)

Penalty: Stephen