Cobham RFC’s 1st XV started 2020 with an impressive bonus point victory over Belsize Park at their Regents Park venue on Saturday (4 January). Steve Pope’s men enjoyed a narrow victory (29-28) at Fairmile Lane earlier in the season and the return fixture proved to be equally competitive.
The opening 40 minutes saw the visitors win the try count by three to two, giving them a 14-22 lead at the halfway stage. Full back Rory Penfold opened Cobham’s account, which was followed by scores from winger Tiernan White and Captain Ryan Saunders. A conversion from Tom Farrelly and Luke Flower apiece, in addition to a penalty from Flower gave Cobham their eight-point advantage going into the second half.
Both sides scored two tries after the interval. Penfold claimed his second of the afternoon and a try from centre Yanni Loizia ensured Cobham left with a bonus point victory. Ali Porter came off the bench to win his 50th cap in a contest that ended 28-32 to the away team.
Cobham 1st XV Squad 1 Ryan Aujla 2 Mario Zakakiotis 3 Luke Bliss 4 Doug Rodman 5 Joe Goddard 6 Louis Porter 7 Olly Fox 8 Jake McQuade 9 Ryan Saunders (C) 10 Tom Farrelly 11 Max MacDonald 12 Luke Flower 13 Yanni Loizia 14 Tiernan White 15 Rory Penfold
16 Ali Porter 17 Ant Braithwaite 18 James MacDonald
Scorers:
No 15 - Rory Penfold x 2 tries No 14 - Tiernan White x 1 Try No 9 - Ryan Saunders x 1 Try No 13 - Yannis Loizia x 1 Try
No 10 - Tom Farrelly x 1 Conversion No 12 - Luke Flower x 1 Conversion x 1 Penalty
Saturday’s Other Senior Results:
Cobham XV 65-14 Old Cranleighans
London Irish Vets 10-29 Cobham Allstars
Up Next:
Cobham’s 1st & 2nd XV are both at home this Saturday (11 January) with Horsham the visitors to Fairmile Lane - all support is welcome for both teams.
