- Sep 18, 2023
- 3 min read

Cobham suffer first defeat of the season at local rivals Reeds

Following two strong performances, Cobham’s 1st XV squad travelled the short distance to Whitely Village to battle Reeds Weybridge for the first time at this level. Tom Schofield identified that 15 of the 18 playing squad has come through the mini / youth section, which is a testament to the Club's development philosophy.

Reeds had also won their first two fixtures of the season, recording the same scoreline away at Old Colfeians (22-32) as Cobham, so a competitive match was anticipated.

Cobham played with the advantage of a significant slope in the first half and for the opening quarter of the game both sides tested each other's defences but neither could make inroads. Cobham's best chance came from the first of several breaks by centre Yanni Loizias, who fed winger Rory Penfold. He looked to have made sufficient space for a try in the corner, but possession was lost in the last few yards and the opportunity missed.

Reeds took their opportunity when it came, as winger Matt Stevenson intercepted a promising backline move by Cobham and ran in from the halfway line to score under the posts. Fly half Jesty adding the conversion (7-0). Whilst that score was literally against the run of play, Cobham then had their best period of pressure on the Reeds line. Despite a couple of penalties, the pressure could not be converted into points.

To almost confirm that this wasn’t going to be Cobham's day was when Reeds lost a player to a yellow card and fly half Tim Lamming wasn't able to convert the penalty. Play then moved back up-field and Jesty converted from the tee did to make it 10-0 at half-time.

Although Cobham were now playing up the slope, they had the advantage of the extra man but in much the same way Ford kicked England out of trouble against Argentina, Jesty did the same for Reeds by adding a further penalty within minutes to make it 13-0. Hindsight is always a marvellous thing, but it certainly would have been interesting to have recorded the penalty count in what was turning out to be a 'whistle fest' afternoon.

Cobham prop Luke Bliss nearly converted his interception into points, but the next score came again from Jesty with a long-range penalty (16-0). Having recorded their highest score in a league game since 2017 last weekend, it now looked like Cobham were not going to get on the scoreboard (and you have to go back to 2011 for when that last happened versus Tonbridge Juddians).

Then from halfway, centre Fin Savill evaded the defence and weaved his way to within yards of the try line. He offloaded to Louis Porter, who would score the points Cobham had craved all afternoon (16-5). The conversion went wide and there were no further opportunities for Cobham to add to their score. Jesty kept the scoreboard ticking over for Reeds, using the remaining time to slot over three more penalties. Final score 25-5.

Reeds were undoubtedly the better team on the afternoon, who took their chances. Suffice to say that the match is best summed up for Cobham as 'a tough day at the office’.

Director of Rugby, Billy Davison said: "I would like to congratulate a very talented, bright, hard-working and well-coached Reeds team on a well-deserved win. Respect.”

Cobham RFC 1st XV Squad:-

1. Chris Lippiatt

2. Dave Stewart

3. Luke Bliss

4. Doug Rodman

5. Wesley Van Der Ploeg

6. Louis Porter

7. Oliie Fox

8. Tom Davison

9. Ryan Saunders (Capt.)

10. Tim Lamming

11. James Edmundson