Cobham slip to their first defeat as Vandals progress in the cup

ACobham ventured to their promotion rivals Weybridge Vandals in the last 16 of the RFU Community Cup on Saturday (31 January). Unavailability and injury meant changes to the team from last weekend’s victory but the entire back division were Cobham youth, while Sam Jones made his first XV team debut in the back row. There was a debut also for Ben Keller off the bench.

Cobham kicked off down the slope and into the breeze, as the first few minutes saw both teams feeling each other out, with Cobham running possession and Vandals using the breeze and the big boot of fly half James Wellden. This was nearly their undoing, as he had a kick charged down and Will O’Leary fed Matt Frost. He charged for the corner but was hauled down just short and Cobham were penalised for holding on. Vandals back row were mobile and contested most breakdowns and unfortunately this was to be Frost’s last action as minutes later in one breakdown he injured a quad and Sam Jones injured his ankle too. Losing two players in the opening stages would prove to be challenging, as George O’Connor came into the back row and Ben Keller into the engine room with O’Leary dropping one back.

Vandals continued their kicking game and it was to prove successful as a kick ended up close to Cobham’s goal line. Although it was collected by the defence, a loose ball provided Vandals with their first scoring opportunity as prop Lloyd Pullen charged over, which was well converted by centre Karl Hoarde (7-0) after 17 minutes. The next Cobham setback was soon to come as Wilf Saywell caught a Vandals kick and ran it back. Evading tackles he kicked for the corner, looked to be tackled fractionally late and had to go off injured as well. Sandro Celebidachi came on to the wing, with Ross Munro dropping to full back.

Twenty minutes gone and three subs on already, summed up Cobham's day. The next ten minutes were mostly Vandals pressure and although a kick through was retrieved, Cobham again tried to run it out, lost it and gave Vandals a good attacking position. Good defence held out initially but Will O’Leary was yellow carded for offside and from the pressure, Vandals Edgar drove over for the hosts second try to make it 14-0 after 31 minutes.

Cobham responded with a good spell and stayed in the Vandals twenty-two. Despite various knock-ons and various penalties, the pressure finally told as Ross Munro made a great run, Celebidachi took it on and Joe Harker charged through for an unconverted score, which made it 14-5 at half time.

Cobham needed to score next to get right back in the game but unfortunately it was Vandals who added to their tally. Their hooker Edgar made a great run down the left wing and was hauled down just short but their support play, which was good throughout, carried it on and Pullen scored again with the conversion making it 21-5. Cobham tried to respond immediately and great work by Ross Munro, who evaded tackles all game, and Joe Harker gave Cobham a penalty. However, the ball would eventually be knocked-on and the opportunity lost.

Cobham attacked the resulting scrum, shoved Vandals back at pace but a penalty was awarded to Vandals and a lineout on half way. Vandals then launched a decent attack and Fin Savill made a great try saving tackle, but ab excellent cross field kick by Wellden found winger Matthew Wilson for a crucial converted try (28-5). The game was slipping away and two minutes later Vandals nailed the lid shut when an up and under was taken and scored in the corner (33-5).

Ryan Aujla came on at tight head with Ben Joyce taking a well-earned breather. Cobham were playing for pride and the forwards for sure stuck at it with O’Leary, O’Connor and Harker to the fore. The next score followed a sustained period of Cobham pressure, resulting in a yellow card for Vandals after a high tackle on Will O’Leary, but the accuracy was missing and Vandals were surviving. Cobham kept at it and when Vandals received a second yellow card for offside on their line, Cobham reverted to a series of pick and goes, with Harker having the final touch (33-10).

With a matter of minutes to go, Cobham kept playing and resulted in a consolation score. Joe Harker made a great battling run that started in his own half, Ajula took it on and earned a penalty. Penfold tapped and went, before a series of rucks finally allowed Taylor Burnett to run through for the score, which Dellapina converted. Final score, 33-17.

A tough day at the office and the unbeaten run comes to end coming up against a young Vandals team, who wanted to avenge their league defeat. Vandals deserved their win and good luck to them in the quarterfinals. It means a week off for Cobham, before the league promotion battle continues at Fairmile Lane against Eastbourne on Saturday 14 February.

Cobham 1st XV Squad:-

1. Chris Lippiatt (Capt.)

2. Lewis Joyce

3. Ben Joyce

4. Joe Harker

5. Will O’Leary

6. Sam Jones*

7. Ben Yorke

8. Matt Frost

9. Rory Penfold

10. Connor Dellapina

11. Charley Redknapp

12. Fin Savill

13. Taylor Burnett

14. Ross Munro

15. Wilf Saywell

Substitutes:

16. Ryan Aujla

17. Ben Keller

18. George O’Connor

19. Ryan Saunders

20. Sandro Celebidachi

Debut*

Scorers:

Tries: Harker (2), Burnett

Conversion: Dellapina