Cobham RFC’s 1st XV gave new Director of Rugby Billy Davison the perfect homecoming on Saturday (9 September) as they romped to a 65-10 Regional Two South East success over Medway. The former Harlequins and Saracens lock returned to his boyhood club over the summer to replace Steve Pope, after he moved to Norfolk.
And having seen his side claim a 32-22 success at Old Colfeians on the opening day of the campaign, Cobham returned to Fairmile Lane to run in ten tries to make it a happy home coming for the former Chobham head coach.
Having fallen behind to a fourth minute penalty on a searing hot day, Cobham were quickly into their stride and scored their opening try in the 14th minute when outside centre Yannis Loizias powered his way through to score his first of the day. Niall Saunders added the extras.
Three minutes later, hooker Andy Muirhead crashed his way over after the hosts had gone through the phases close to the Medway line. Saunders again added the conversion.
The Kent men grabbed their only try of the day in the 27th minute, but Cobham quickly responded as fly-half Will Stephen went over for try number three after a kick and chase to make it 19-10. The hosts wrapped up the bonus point seven minutes before the interval when a fine break from Saunders created some space to play in Rory Penfold for his first try of the match.
After the break, second row Luke Westgarth-Taylor was driven over for a converted score before the visitors’ outside centre was sent to the sin-bin after he was adjudged to have deliberately knocked-on.
With Medway reduced to 14, Cobham piled on the pressure and Loizias bagged his second score after he turned the ball over and raced home. In the 67th minute, James Edmondson showed some great footwork to allow the winger to run in the seventh Cobham try to make it 44-10.
Medway did try to breach the Cobham line, but the home defence manage to stand firm before Loizias completed his hat-trick six minutes from time. The home side continued to push and two more converted tries from Penfold to complete his hat-trick in the final three minutes made it a day to remember for Cobham.
Davison’s men are back on the road this Saturday (16 September) when they make the short trip to Reeds Weybridge.
Match report courtesy of Michael Reeves
