Cobham set-up quarterfinal tie versus Braintree after victory over Old Ruts

Following their win a couple of weeks ago against the League champions Twickenham, Cobham were drawn away in the second round of the cup against runners-up Olds Ruts. As Old Ruts ground is shared with their cricket team, there was a request to play the match at Cobham.

To recap, Cobham had secured their win in the final match of the league season 24-38, which denied Olds Ruts promotion chances, so they would want to avenge that defeat. However, Cobham, once again playing in their pink shirts, were able to improve on that scoreline as they ran in seven tries and passed 50 points.

Cobham came out of the blocks fast and their first try within five minutes came from a charge down by fly half Conor Dellapina, a name you will see mentioned many times in this report. From the ensuing scrum, Dellapina sold two dummies to run over and then convert his own try (7-0).

Old Ruts had hardly any possession in this opening passage of play and after driving charges from McQuade, Davison and Murphy, Penfold sent the ball out wide to full back Wilf Saywell who broke the line. Frost carried the move on, before offloading to Dellapina to score his second try within three minutes, again converting (14-0). Further pressure generated a penalty opportunity, which hit the post although Captain Lippiatt was nearly able to convert the subsequent possession into points.

With both sides being able to field seven substitutes, Cobham now had to use their first as Fin Savill hobbled off with a calf injury; George Moule coming on to replace but there was no substitute option when Ross Munro was yellow carded for an adjudged slap down. Using the benefit of the extra man, Old Ruts were finally able to turn some possession into points, as Corey Holland on the wing ran in wide out that centre O’Brien was able to convert using both the crossbar and post, to reduce the deficit (14-7).

Cobham were then to incur their second injury soon after as flanker Tom Davison suffered a concussion; Luke Westgarth-Taylor coming on to replace him. That could have checked Cobham's momentum but shortly after Saywell collected a clearance kick, took it into space for Penfold to chase down. Will Springett kick ahead and scored, which Dellapina converted (21-7) but Old Ruts showed their resilience by immediately replying with a well worked try in the corner for centre Dave Cecil, O'Brien adding the extras (21-14). That was the scoreline at half-time and although Cobham had dominated play, the result at that stage was too close to call.

After a period of Old Ruts pressure, a box kick from Penfold was followed up by winger Springett who benefitted from the bounce of the ball, collected and score under the posts. Dellapina converted and then added his sole penalty of the game to the total (31-14). As previously, Old Ruts don't look at the scoreboard, they just play the ball and they now scored an excellent try with scrum half Alexander O'Dell passing the ball down the backline, for Cecil to run over (31-19).

Cobham immediately responded when they collected a loose ball and Lippiatt provided Will Stephen with a short inside pass to skip through the opposition. Dellapina retained his 100% conversion record (38-19). Almost like clockwork, Old Ruts clawed their way back when, after Cobham originally held the ball up over the line but couldn’t avoid the follow-up up and their lead was reduced once again (38-26).

For the next 20 minutes, neither side could break through each other's defence, and Cobham knew that another score from Old Ruts could establish a tense finale. However, it was Penfold collecting a loose ball and darting over between the posts that provided the necessary relief (45-26). Two minutes later, he sealed victory for Cobham when he intercepted a pass to run in for his hat-trick and Dellapina added his seventh conversion and 27th point of the match. Final score, 52-26.

That victory sets up a quarter-final match against Braintree RFC from Essex, who won their Counties 1 Essex league. This game once again takes place at Cobham on Saturday (3 May), kick-off 3.00pm – all support welcome, as Cobham are now just two matches away from a Twickenham final on 17th May… but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Cobham 1st XV Squad

1. Chris Lippiatt (Capt.)

2. Andrew Murphy

3. Ryan Aujla

4. Louis Porter

5. Connor O’Byrne

6. Tom Davison

7. Matt Frost

8. Jake McQuade

9. Rory Penfold

10. Connor Dellapina

11. Will Springett

12. Will Stephen

13. Fin Savill

14. Ross Munro

15. Wilf Saywell

Substitutes:

16. Dave Stewart

17. Ben Joyce

18. Gabe Clark

19. Luke Westgarth-Taylor

20. Will O’Leary

21. George Moule

22. Marcus Watson

Scorers:

Tries: Dellapina (2), Penfold (3) Springett

Conversions: Dellapina (7)

Penalty: Dellapina