Cobham fall to back-to-back league losses with defeat at Horsham

Cobham travelled to Horsham on Saturday (3 October) having to make several changes to their squad because of injury, illness or non-availability thereby providing an opportunity for debuts for Zac O'Connor and former Colt Henry Lunn. A proud moment for the Lunn family, with Dad, former 1st XV player and current Youth Chairman, Matt Lunn watching from the side line. Ben Keller came into the team for Tom Davison and Wilf Saywell started at scrum half following Ryan Saunders injury last week. Jordan Bond Captained the side from full back for the first time.

The Club's last visit to Horsham was in October 2022 where the result was a 32-all draw, when Ben Joyce, Andrew Murphy and Louis Porter all played. With both sides looking for their first points of the season, it was hoped that the game would be as competitive as the previous encounter.

Horsham had most of the possession and territory in the initial stages but an excellent 50:22 clearance kick from Bond relieved the pressure, although Cobham could not retain possession from the ensuing lineout. However, having achieved territory they applied their own pressure and although Horsham provided strong defence they could not withstand Murphy's pick and drive over the line. Burnett, picking up the kicking duties, made a tricky conversion look easy (0-7).

Slightly against the run of play you could sense Horsham were stung by that score and they responded strongly with several phases culminating in a tap penalty swung wide to their winger Eddie Grogan who scored in the corner (5-7). Buoyed by that score, a couple of minutes later Horsham split the Cobham defence in two as full back Archie Fox ran in under the posts for a try that fly half Joe Wilde converted (12-7).

Both sides were keeping their physios busy as they absorbed level 6 tackling. Following a substitution for the home, Cobham saw back row Porter escorted off with a head injury followed within seconds by Zac O'Connor. Those injuries brought no relation George O'Connor and Lunn off the bench. It was now Cobham's turn to shine with a lineout collection by Fielding, released Aujla and Murphy. Burnett was held up before Redknapp's darting run maintained the pressure. Murphy and Joyce showed their best back line skills as they put Springett into the corner, with Burnett edging Cobham back ahead with an excellent conversion from wide out (12-14).

Horsham responded immediately. Back row Jake Lovett found space to run in under the posts, before a deft kick to the corner by Wilde found Grogan. Back row George Howard was in support to pick-up and touch down. Wilde converted both tries and suddenly it was 26-14 to Horsham at half-time.

The half time talk from DOR Billy Davison was effective as Cobham came out determined to take the game back to Horsham. Evasive doesn't half describe Jordan Bond’s running style, as he led from the back, so to speak. Porter, having been restored to the fray in the first half, drove and tackled aggressively as though his head bandage was armour. Cobham's scrum had been effective all afternoon and the possession it provided enabled them to score their third try. Saywell's pass down the back line found Murphy, Aujla and finally Joyce to run into the corner (26-19).

Unfortunately that score provided a prelude for what was to prove, lets call it, a difficult ten-minute passage of play for the visitors. It started with a break and kick ahead from Wilde, which bounced back off the corner flag allowing him to pick-up and touch down (31-19), followed within minutes by Wilde finding space in a further foray to touch down and convert again (38-19). Two further tries followed in quick succession; a drive over before scrum half Morgan James finishing a fine break by back row Howard (52-19).

As disappointing as that period of the game was, Cobham displayed their resilience by not only resisting further incursions but taking the ball back into Horsham territory and securing a penalty try (52-26). Although Horsham’s dominance was reduced, there was still time for scrum half James to dart over and Wilde convert (59-26). Dellapina secured a brilliant tap tackle that avoided a further try for Horsham, he before Fielding claimed the final score of the afternoon (59-31).

With Horsham picking up yellow cards on a regular basis, they were probably relieved that the referee blew the final whistle to avoid Cobham picking up any further points. Saywell was deservedly named Man of the Match.

Cobham are at home this Saturday (10 October) to Battersea Ironsides, who have also lost their first two games of the season. All support welcome.

Cobham 1st XV Squad:

1. Ryan Aujla

2. Andrew Murphy

3. Lewis Joyce

4. Joe Harker

5. Ben Keller

6. Zac O’Connor*

7. Louis Porter

8. Ollie Fielding

9. Wilf Saywell

10. Connor Dellapina

11. Charley Redknapp

12. Taylor Burnett

13. Andrew Jones-Davies

14. Will Springett

15. Jordan Bond (Capt.)

Substitutes:

16. Ben Joyce

17. George O’Connor

18. Henry Lunn*

Scorers:

Tries: Murphy, Springett, Joyce, Penalty Try, Fielding

Conversions: Burnett (2)

* 1st XV debut