Seven tries for Cobham who progress to the next round in the cup

Following the conclusion of the league season, Cobham are competing in the Papa Johns Community Cup, a knockout competition played by teams from across the country. Whilst Cobham had won their league encounter against Twickenham at home, they had lost their unbeaten record away, so aside from wanting to progress in the Cup there was unfinished business. The Cobham squad for this match was made up of 82% mini and youth graduates, who ran in seven tries against the eventual league holders, which confirmed the progress Cobham had made this season.

Played in front of the clubhouse, in unseasonal warm weather, the first try came within minutes of the start. Fly half Connor Dellapina surprised the opposition with his pace and fed Captain Lippiatt for a try under the posts. Dellapina converted the try he had created to put Cobham on the board (7-0). There then followed a period of intense pressure from Twickenham played out in Cobham's twenty-two, who lost Porter to a yellow card for a penalty infringement. This was Twickenham at their best and the supporters watching this period of play could never have predicted the final score.

The pressure eventually only provided a penalty opportunity, which was unconverted and as if to rub salt into the wound, a penalty to Cobham was taken quickly by Penfold who found space to feed Wilf Saywell running in support from full back to touch down. Dellapina added the extras (14-0) which was quickly followed by a long-range penalty (17-0).

Cobham's third try was a team effort, as winger Will Springett ran the ball towards Twickenham's line before Tom Davison created more space for O'Leary and Penfold to pick-up and touch down. Dellapina retained his 100% record off the tee (24-0) and Twickenham, who had not lost a game since 14th December, were now staring down the barrel of a comprehensive defeat.

Cobham maintained the pressure and Murphy came agonisingly close to a score. However, eventually Twickenham opened their account with a team effort try under the posts, which made the score 24-7 at the halfway stage. Neither team could gain the ascendancy in the opening ten minutes of the second half. The opening score went to Twickenham, as fly half Tom Foster converted a drop goal opportunity (24-10).

The next try originated from a Saywell kick in his half, which he followed up before taking the Twickenham player into touch for a lineout. From the possession gained by Davison, Aujla drove it forward and Davison was again there to feed Jake McQuade. No one can stop McQuade when the line is in sight and Dellapina duly added the conversion (31-10). Cobham's next try was the fastest of the season scored within a minute of the Twickenham restart as Davison collected, offloaded to Saywell who kicked ahead for Savill to touch down. Dellapina again successful off the tee from wide out (38-10).

The next try also came from the kick-off, but took a minute longer as the ball passed down the backline and Savill raced down the line to feed Davison for his try. Dellapina's kick hit the posts but the score had advanced to 43-10. This was the most points scored against Twickenham all season; Eastbourne had managed 38 to draw against them earlier in season.

Finally, Twickenham started to play the rugby that had earned them the title and promotion, picking up back-to-back converted tries (43-24). Both sides utilised their substitutes, Cobham giving home debuts to Connor O’Byrne and Marcus Watson. The final try came with drives from Murphy and Gabe Clark to provide Penfold with an opportunity to nip over for his second try of the day, his 30th of the season. Final score, 48-24.

The next match is an away fixture away against Old Rutlishians on 26th April. Cobham will be looking for a groundhog day win to progress but you can only but imagine that Old Ruts, who beat Bromley away 38-41, will be looking to avenge their recent defeat. All Cobham support is encouraged as they set their sights on the final at Twickenham Stadium

Cobham 1st XV Squad:-

1. Chris Lippiatt (C) M/Y

2. Andrew Murphy

3. Ryan Aujla M/Y

4. Louis Porter M/Y

5. Will O’Leary M/Y

6. Tom Davison M/Y

7. Matt Frost M/Y

8. Jake McQuade M/Y

9. Rory Penfold M/Y

10. Connor Dellapina M/Y

11. Taylor Burnett M/Y

12. Fin Savill M/Y

13. Will Palmer M/Y

14. Will Springett M/Y

15. Wilf Saywell M/Y

Substitutes:

16. Timon Botha M/Y

17. Gabriel Clarke M/Y

18. Luke Westgarth-Taylor

19. Connor O’Byrne* M/Y

20. Sandro Celebidachi

21. Ross Munro M/Y

22. Marcus Watson**

18 of 22 Mini/Youth

Debut*

Home Debut**

Scorers:

Tries: Penfold (2), Lippiatt, Saywell, Savill, McQuade, Davison

Conversions: Dellapina (5)

Penalty: Dellapina