Cobham withstand Eastbourne's second half fightback to retain top spot

In the 1980's, Commercial Union, the insurance company, coined a slogan “We don't make a drama out of a crisis.” Whilst some of Cobham's matches this season could well be described in those terms, this game probably fits more into the category of “We do make a crisis out of a drama.” It's difficult to put into words the excitement, intensity or indeed sheer panic the second half of this match generated for the supporters, but it will definitely be remembered by those who witnessed the events unfold.

On the same day England were playing Scotland in the Calcutta Cup, there were many similarities to their epic 2019 encounter when England went ahead 31-0 only to eventually draw with Scotland 38-all. After six weeks of rain, it was a pleasant relief to be watching a match in sunshine and Cobham provided league debuts to second row Ben Keller and Cobham colt Jack Firebrace at fly half.

The away fixture in October had seen Cobham come from 31-19 down to win 31-41 in the last quarter, so in that respect the script was provided for Eastbourne to emulate but with Cobham dominating the first half to lead 31-7, no one could have anticipated the ending.

Eastbourne had lost their last two matches 51-15 to Hove and 45-7 to Old Ruts, so Cobham did not anticipate that Eastbourne would dominate the initial stages of the game. The first scrum suggested that Cobham might dominate upfront but quick ball down the Eastbourne backline required a try-saving tackle from Firebrace and strong defence. A shaky start for Cobham.

Firebrace, having provided a relieving kick, took Cobham out of their twenty-two. From a scrum on the halfway line, Saunders fed Savill, Firebrace offloaded to Redknapp, who had come in from the opposite wing and tore through the defence to touch down under the posts. Stephen converted (7-0). Eastbourne responded immediately, regaining possession and territory, before pressure on the Cobham line saw centre Jake Howe recover a high pass to dive over and then convert to tie the score (7-7).

Domination in the scrum now provided Cobham with their next scoring opportunity. As they pushed forward into the Eastbourne twenty-two where Saunders fed Savill, who expertly side stepped to give Burnett space to run over, with Stephen converting (14-7).

A further Cobham attack from Penfold was held-up, before Firebrace cross-field kicked to Savill, but it was adjudged offside. Both sides then sparred with each other for the next 15 minutes with forays from McQuade and Davison, but no breakthrough. Then in a recap of the previous try, an advancing scrum provided momentum for Saunders to launch the backs and this time it was Stephen running into the line from full back position to score and then convert (21-7).

Eastbourne responded and took the ball back to the Cobham line, but scrum half Saunders provided more like a 70:22 kick that gave Cobham the lineout. Murphy's throw-in was well taken by Harker and the rolling maul enabled Murphy to finish the move he had started (26-7). With the first half coming to a close, a penalty kick set up a further lineout and this time Davison collected Murphy's throw but with the same result, as Murphy ran though from the back of the maul to score back-to-back tries (31-7).

Based on Eastbourne's recent form that half-time score could have been predicted, but as we have seen in all the second fixtures that have been played since Christmas the opposition want Cobham's scalp. Eastbourne received an early advantage when Keller was yellow carded for hands in the ruck, but despite being camped on the Cobham line they couldn't turn the extra man into points. Indeed, it was Cobham who took advantage of a loose pass for Savill to kick through and successfully chase down with centimetres to spare. Stephen converted from far out to make the score 38-7.

Faced with that deficit it would have been understandable if heads went down but instead a switch was flicked and taking advantage of the extra man, the visitors started the slow process of clawing their way back. First it was an inside pass from scrum half Leon Wood to full back Dylan Viles for a converted score (38-14). With Keller back on and the scrum restored, Cobham had weathered the storm but a scrum in Cobham's twenty-two allowed substitute back Ollie Horley to charge over. Jake Howe converted to make it 38-21.

An innocuous kick into Eastbourne territory was collected by fly half Aaron Hossack, who ran 50 metres and evaded tackles to set up scrum half Wood for a try under the posts (38-28). We were into the last quarter and if you listened carefully, you could hear the Cobham's supporters’ nerves jangling.

The players must have heard them as well, as Firebrace chased down winger Stuart Baker for his second try-saving tackle of the match. However, from the subsequent lineout, scrum half Wood scored his second try and Howe converted to cut the deficit to just three points (38-35) with 16 minutes remaining. This was a repeat of the tension that had been experienced at Haywards Heath when they had come from behind, but this was on a different level.

Cobham used their substitutes and defended stoically, and you could sense the pressure with penalties, they were awarded, being treated as if they were scores. Finally, after what felt like an eternity the referee blew the final whistle and the relief both on and off the pitch was palpable. Well played Eastbourne, no one would have begrudged you a draw. Final score, 38-35.

Cobham remain unbeaten in the league with 14 wins, but with three of the final six games to be played against teams that are second, third and fourth in the league there is everything to play for. Cobham are away to London Cornish in two weeks’ time (28 February), where all support will be welcome.

Cobham 1st XV Squad:

1. Chris Lippiatt

2. Andrew Murphy

3. Ben Joyce

4. Joe Harker

5. Ben Keller*

6. Noah Joyce

7. Tom Davison

8. Jake McQuade

9. Ryan Saunders

10. Jack Firebrace*

11. Charley Redknapp

12. Fin Savill

13. Taylor Burnett

14. Rory Penfold

15. Will Stephen

Substitutes:

16. Lewis Joyce

17. George Spires

18. Marcus Watson

* League debut

Tries: Redknapp, Burnett, Stephen, Murphy (2), Savill

Conversions: Stephen (4)

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