After a difficult start to the season in Surrey / Sussex 1, Cobham were looking to record their first win and establish themselves. The squad are playing a number of teams in this league for the first time and Old Haileyburians travelled to the Memorial Grounds from their home ground in Ewell, having secured an impressive home win last week against East Grinstead (60-0) and sitting second in the league.
Cobham gave debuts to Henry Macquire on the wing and Timon Botha as a front row substitute. There was a welcome return for Charlie Rooke at centre, who had last played for the 1st XV during the 2017/8 season, winning his 90th cap.
From the whistle OH looked impressive and after leaking points in the previous weeks it was encouraging to see strong tackles coming in from second row Will O'Leary, Macquire and centre Will Palmer in the first few minutes for the hosts. The new defensive pattern that has been developed by the squad was clear and apparent.
After the defence came the attack and it was Cobham who registered the opening score after 8 minutes, when a kick ahead from fly half Knox O'Connor was collected by full back Rory Penfold for the first of his four tries, which he would also convert (7-0).
Henry Macquire followed this up by making the first of several breaks. Although the penalty count was going against Cobham, they were making the most of the opportunities and taking the game to the visitors.
Cobham were also dominating the game up front and the second try came after 25 minutes. From a five-metre scrum, a break from the back of the set-piece enabled Captain Lippiatt to touch down, with Penfold adding the extras (14-0). Macquire then secured a difficult kick ahead from scrum half Saunders, only to be held-up by the OH defence. However, Penfold sold an immaculate dummy soon after to claim his second of the contest (19-0).
OH finished the first half with an interception but Saunders ensured it could not be converted into a try. Director of Rugby, Billy Davison’s strong vocal encouragement to finish the half with a clean sheet was achieved.
In the previous weeks, Cobham had leaked points early in the second half and with the penalty count accelerating, Rooke was then adjudged to have gone too high and lost ten minutes of his return to a yellow card. By way of compensation, the referee evened up the numbers with a yellow card to the OH second row, but Cobham lost their clean sheet when OH broke the line for a what they hoped would be the start of the fightback (19-5).
However, rather than dent Cobham's confidence, they responded by taking the game back to the visitors. From an excellent kick ahead by Saunders, the play was fed wide to Ross Munro to score in the corner for the bonus point fourth try (24-5). The next score came from Davison linking with O'Leary to put Saunders over (31-5). With plenty of time still left in the half, Penfold collected a loose ball and ran in for his hat trick (36-5).
The hosts were now dominant in all areas of the game, including the lineout that ensured the momentum was maintained. From a scrum close to the visitors line, a trademark Saunders dummy put Cobham into a commanding lead (41-5).
OH scored a consolation through their winger Joe Thomson (41-10), but it was Cobham that secured the final scores of the game. O'Connor collected a loose ball and provided Penfold with his fourth try (46-10), and with the clock running down Will Stephen came off the bench, made a break and kicked ahead. Will Palmer collected and raced over under the posts to take Cobham over 50 points for the first time in 12 months. Penfold kicked his fourth conversion to make the final score 53-10.
The 2nd XV also won away at Dorking 29-24, fighting back impressively from being 24-7 down at half-time. Three colts made their senior debuts: Noah Joyce, Noah Goddard and Luke Fairman.
Cobham 1st XV are away to Haywards Heath on Saturday (28 September) and all support is welcome.
Cobham 1st XV Squad:-
1. Chris Lippiatt (C)
2. Andrew Murphy
3. Lewis Joyce
4. Luke Westgarth-Taylor
5. Will O’Leary
6. Ollie Fielding
7. Louis Porter
8. Tom Davison
9. Ryan Saunders
10. Knox O’Connor
11. Ross Munro
12. Charlie Rooke
13. Will Palmer
14. Henry MacQuire*
15. Rory Penfold
Substitutes:
16. Timon Botha*
17. Ollie Fox
18. Will Stephen
*Debut
Scorers:
Tries: Penfold (4), Saunders (2) Lippiatt, Munro, Palmer
Conversions: Penfold (4)
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