Cobham set-up Vandals showdown after ten try win over Trinity

8 minutes ago
5 min read

This is a rugby season that keeps on giving as far as Cobham players, management and supporters are concerned, as the First XV secured their sixth half-century win of the season. Additionally, the Second XV also won their friendly against Old Ruts (51-17) and currently sit top of their league. Cobham First XV have now won their last four matches against Trinity and this was their most comprehensive to date, featuring ten tries and seven conversions.

Cobham welcomed Louis Porter back from injury and it was also an excellent result for their former Captain Ryan Saunders, who was celebrating his 150th cap for the first team. He received a wonderful framed shirt and tribute from his Dad, ex-Ireland International Rob Saunders and his Mum, Jennifer after the match.

On a day when several records were set, Cobham achieved one of, if not, their fastest first tries when Joe Harker went over after just 41 seconds. Saunders featured twice, providing a quick throw-in that saw the ball go down the line for Stephen to kick into space. Saunders chased, tapped a penalty and fed Harker for the score. Stephen's conversion just went wide (5-0).

Trinity would have been stung by that early score and they responded positively. Scrum half Joubert broke the defensive line, which eventually led to a Trinity penalty in front of the posts. Declining that opportunity for points, Trinity looked to continue the offensive but when they received a penalty even closer to the posts, full back Benjamin Telfer took the points on offer (5-3).

Trinity maintained the pressure but could not break the line and from a couple of relieving kicks, Cobham edged their way back up the field. From a lineout take and rolling maul, Saunders delivered to Marcus Watson. Saunders collected from the ruck, dummied and crossed over for the hosts second try – a great way to celebrate your 150th cap. Stephen converted (12-3).

Thereafter, there was an extended period where Trinity were pinned in their twenty-two. Once the visitors had lost possession that provided Cobham with the territory to mount another attack, a try from Burnett was disallowed. Having threatened to break the line all afternoon, Tom Davison was not to be denied as he picked up from the base of the scrum to touch down, which and Stephen converted (19-3).

As Cobham finally returned to their half for the kick off, Director of Rugby Billy Davison was heard to encourage 'Let’s go again boys' and within minutes, Joe Patient had taken the encouragement as an instruction. Standing nonchalantly at the back of a lineout on the halfway line, he was not doubt surprised to receive a wayward throw-in from Trinity. He took the opportunity to run 50 yards through the Trinity defence to score a bonus point try, Stephen adding the extras again (26-3).

With Cobham now dominating, a lineout take from Harker went to Olly Fox who spun around to pass to Davison. He sprinted for the line but after he was held-up, Watson was in support to score his first try for Cobham (31-3). A rare incursion into the Cobham half by Trinity was brought down by winger Will Springett, but the momentum provided the opportunity to score and convert in the run up to half time (31-10). Indeed, Trinity thought they had added a further try just before half-time but it was ruled out.

Soon after the restart, Cobham lost Watson, full back Stephen and back row Noah Joyce to injury and with a substitute bench of forwards, Cobham started to demonstrate their positional versatility. Davison and Fox, moving from the back row to the back line and Porter, slipping into the back row, joined by Patient from the front row. Aujla showed his versatility to take a place on the flank, with Lewis Joyce and Hugh Farmer taking their places in the front five. The injuries temporarily disrupted Cobham's rhythm and in a match where more than a point was scored every minute, there was nearly 15 minutes where neither side could gain the initiative.

Eventually, Cobham regained the upper hand, with Farmer, Patient and Lewis Joyce combining. It was Captain Lippiatt who popped up to take the ball over for the latest try. Burnett, taking over kicking duties, extended the lead to 38-10. A great collect from the kick-off and a drive forward from Porter took Cobham back into the Trinity half. Saunders looked to have found space to put Springett away, but he was tackled into touch. Trinity came from nowhere to score under the posts (38-17) before Penfold, who moved to full back, slipped into the line to pick-up his 19th try of the season, which Burnett converted (45-17).

Within minutes, Penfold had his 20th of the season by chasing down his kick ahead (50-17). If that try was quick, the next was breakneck as Patient ran from one twenty-two to another, before passing inside to Bond to score under the posts, with Burnett converting again (57-17). Another quickly followed, as fly half Bond ran through the defence and timed his grubber kick finely for Springett to run onto. Burnett added the extras, meaning 26 points were scored in just seven minutes (64-17).

Needless to say Trinity were reeling, so credit to them that for the final ten minutes they took advantage of some Cobham errors and collected two consolation tries. Final score, 64-31.

So Cobham scored ten tries to make it 132 tries in the league (last season we scored 135), 18 wins out of 18, with two matches to play. The last time Cobham went unbeaten in a season was 2006/07 when they were promoted from London 4 South West League. The following season they won 21 out of 22 as they were promoted from London 3 South West, before their most recent best season was in 2015/16 when they topped London 2 South West with 20 out of 22 scoring 824 points.

Just to set the scene for the away fixture against Vandals in three weeks on 18th April. The match will be played following their Presidents' Lunch and they are looking to ensure it is the best-supported match for many years. Vandals won their 18th game against Hove (48-12) Saturday and meet Trinity this weekend, while our fixture will be their last of the season.

Cobham have a four-point lead and have scored one extra try bonus point. Cobham have a 459 points difference, while Vandals have 417. However, we know that our only defeat of the season was in the cup match on the Island, so there is everything to play for in the most eagerly awaited match of the season – if not decade.

Cobham 1st XV Squad:

1. Chris Lippiatt (Capt.)

2. Joe Patient

3. Ben Joyce

4. Joe Harker

5. Louis Porter

6. Noah Joyce

7. Olly Fox

8. Tom Davison

9. Ryan Saunders

10. Jordan Bond

11. Will Springett