KCS and Storm Amy can't stop Cobham from extending their winning run

Although Cobham secured an emphatic victory the last time they played KCS at home, the equivalent fixture away last November was a tight three-point margin of victory. The visitors made a number of enforced changes due to injuries and unavailability, with league debuts for Wiliby, Redknapp and Spires having played in the successful cup match two weeks ago.

The match was played alongside the first storm of the 2025/26 season, Storm Amy, and it was not only strong winds that the teams had to contend with, but also car alarms that were set off. Cobham had most of the possession and territory in the opening ten minutes and turned that into points when a lineout close to the KCS line was secured by Porter, who fed back to Dave Stewart for the pack to drive over (0-5). It was apparent from the first attempt that Amy wasn't going to be kind to the goal kickers.

KCS looked to respond but even when they got into opposition territory, Cobham were merciless with their kicking to touch. Jordan Bond's 50:22 provided the opportunity for Cobham to turn lineout possession into several phases of play, culminating in a wide pass to Taylor Burnett on the wing to score. On this occasion, Dellapina defied Amy to convert (0-12). The pattern of play continued with KCS desperate to take play into Cobham’s half. However, a drop out from under their posts saw the ball go to Bond who passed to Dellapina then Savill, before Dellapina created the space for James Edmondson to run down the final metres and score in the corner (0-17).

Cobham's tackling has improved significantly this year, with Savill and Spires not only stopping their opponents but driving them backwards. KCS started to show some dominance in the scrums and as the first half drew to a close, there were indications that the second half would be a much closer encounter.

After an extended period of play in the Cobham half, the visitors broke loose and scored their bonus point try from deep in their own twenty-two. The ball went wide from Bond to Edmondson, who cut inside and found Penfold running in support. The scrum half took the ball into the half of the pitch that had hardly been used in the opening 40 minutes, to touch down under the posts that created a simple conversion (0-24).

After KCS missed a penalty, it was Cobham who again took advantage of a loose kick. Edmondson found Wiliby on the inside this time and after accepting he would not outpace the opposition, he released Penfold to score his second try that Dellapina converted (0-31). Just as the home side and their supporters must have wondered what they needed to do to get on the scoreboard, finally their persistence paid off as centre James Shaw drove over for their opening points in the match (5-31).

Cobham played their substitutes, welcoming Ryan Saunders back at scrum half following his shoulder operation in February. Ben Joyce, who had also come on as a substitute in the front row, was penalised and yellow carded, meaning Cobham played the final ten minutes with 14 men. KCS took advantage as fly half William Carter broke two tackles to score their second try (10-31).

Cobham missed a late penalty, but regained possession and a cross-field kick from Dellapina saw Bond pick up possession and run over for their final try of the match 10-36. KCS claimed a consolation score as Shaw went over, which Carter converted, making the final score 17-36.

The result means Cobham remain undefeated but are third in the league on points difference; this weekend they take-on Old Wimbledonians at home, kick-off 3.0ppm – all support is welcome.

The 2nd XV were also in action away to Trinity and came away with a 21-33 victory.

A great couple of results for Director of Rugby Billy Davison and Dr Dave Silver to learn as they undertook their Alpine charity hike for RE N- Gage, a charity supporting young people to achieve their full potential.

Cobham 1st XV Squad:-

1. Chris Lippiatt (Capt.)

2. Louis Wiliby*

3. Ryan Aujla

4. George Spires*

5. Will O’Leary

6. Taylor Burnett

7. Dave Stewart

8. Louis Porter

9. Rory Penfold

10. Connor Dellapina

11. James Edmondson

12. Fin Savill

13. Charley Redknapp*

14. Sandro Celebidachi

15. Jordan Bond

Substitutes:

16. Ben Joyce

17. Lewis Joyce

18. Ryan Saunders

* First XV debut

Man of the Match: Jordan Bond

Scorers:

Tries: Stewart, Burnett, Edmondson, Penfold (2), Bond

Conversions: Dellapina (3)