Cobham's cup run continues to the semis after victory over Braintree

Perfect conditions on a beautiful afternoon and a heavily watered pitch saw Cobham welcome Braintree to Fairmile Lane for this cup quarterfinal. Braintree won Counties 1 Essex this season and so will test level 6 waters next season, so Cobham knew they would be stiff opposition. We heard they had a few players missing, although Cobham had to make nine changes to the starting XV this week due to injuries and unavailability. The front row had an “experienced” look about it but the back five were young. However, their aggression and desire on both sides of the ball was to be a major part of Cobham’s success.

It was Braintree who struck first, when they won their scrum on the halfway line and went wide and the move was finished by the pacy winger Will Latta with a great run, evading two tackles in the process (0-7). Cobham struck back quickly, as Alcorn made a strong carry in the midfield, Bond took it on and a cheeky offload to Moule allowed Cobham to draw level (7-7). Bond and Moule down the right channel against Braintree’s last man was going to become a theme. Cobham then took the lead when a break down the left wing resulted in Saywell touching down but the referee disallowed the score and came back for a Cobham penalty. Jake McQuade tapped and scored to put the hosts ahead (12-7).

The next try was to follow quickly when from the restart, Braintree chased hard (as they did all day) but this time McQuade carried well, before the backs went right, recycled and then left, before back to the right where the Bond / Moule show struck again (19-7).

Cobham then had a period of possession but having created many opportunities, failed to convert any of them by either conceding penalties or not giving the pass. Braintree nearly made them pay when after a penalty to the corner and lineout take, saw their fly half Kempster attempt a cross-field kick but the bounce was unkind for their chasing winger.

McQuade then came off with a hamstring niggle and Noah Joyce made his debut. Cobham conceded yet another penalty and Braintree went for goal (19-10). Possession was definitely in Cobham’s favour but the scoreboard said otherwise, so it was to some relief to the home supporters that the half ended with two more great Cobham scores. First up, a great run from Bond got him to another two-on-one that gave Moule his hat-trick try (24-10). Watson was next to make a break, fed Bond who drew the last man and gave Moule his fourth score of the half in almost replica fashion, making the score 29-10 at the halfway stage in the contest.

The scoreboard now looked comfortable, but the game was far from over and some appropriate stern words from Coach Davidson to his troops in the corner would hopefully make the score safe; although it did draw an amusing comment from a young supporter: “Why is he shouting at them as we’re winning?!”

Braintree started the second half with a period of possession but if Cobham’s attack was fun to watch, it was periods like this where the pack just kept hitting and making tackles meaning their desire wouldn’t allow Braintree to get close to the line. It was easy to see why people say defence can win matches as much as attack.

Moule had come off allowing Celebidachi on to the right wing. Having held them at bay in open play, Braintree had a scrum just in the Cobham half and their substitute scrum half picked and went to score a great solo try (29-15). Braintree then felt another try would get them back into the game and a yellow card for centre Watson maybe gave them more hope. However, Cobham’s defence again came to the fore and they rode out this 10 minute without conceding. Following a penalty kick to the corner, a great catch and drive saw hooker Stewart go over, to the delight of the pack that made the 36-15 with just 15 minutes left.

Both props were now substituted, with Clark and Moss both coming on. A second catch and drive was attempted just as Watson returned, as a truck and trailer decision allowed Braintree off the hook. The last 15 minutes gave Cobham three further tries. Braintree lost a lineout on their line, allowing Harris on debut to pour through and score (43-15). A lovely run from Harris allowed Watson to take it on and a great miss pass to the new full back Millerd, who plucked it out of the before claiming the try (50-15). Substitute Kennedy was now on to the wing with Millerd moving to centre to replace Alcorn. Will O’Leary made a great break, substitute Harker took it on, before Harris claimed his second try of the afternoon to complete the scoring. Final score, 57-15.

Braintree were a good side and maybe the scoreline didn’t reflect the whole game and we wish them luck in their level 6 endeavours next season. However, on the day they met a Cobham side who despite all the changes, just kept going for the cause, both in defence and attack. Hard to single out some names following a performance like that, but the three lads on debut Harris, Lovell and Joyce, plus O’Leary and O’Byrne just went forward all game, with or without the ball. It should be mentioned that young Evan Williams slipped in at scrum half seamlessly and Dellapina’s goal kicking just kept adding points that should not be underestimated.

Cobham move to the semi-final against Brunel University on Saturday (10 May) who themselves had a big win over Pirates. Selection will not be easy with a few guys becoming available again, but it’s a nice problem for Coach Davison to have.

All support is welcome as Cobham look for one more win to get them to Twickenham and end the season in style.

Cobham 1st XV Squad:

1. Chris Lippiatt

2. Dave Stewart

3. Ryan Aujla

4. Jay Harris

5. Will O'Leary

6. Connor O'Byrne

7. Matt Lovell

8. Jake McQuade

9. Evan Williams

10. Connor Dellaphina

11. George Moule

12. Marcus Watson

13. Oli Alcorn

14. Wilf Saywell

15. Jordan Bond

Substitutes:

16. Gabriel Clarke

17. Ant Moss

18. Joe Harker

19. Noah Joyce

20. Sandro Celebodachi

21. Hugh Kennedy

22. Josh Millerd

Scorers:

Tries: Moule (4), Harris (2), McQuade, Stewart, Millerd

Conversions: Dellapina (6)