Tries from Steve Burton establish cup victory

In a very exciting and entertaining match, Cobham continued their excellent start to the season with a sound victory against visitors Crowborough in the opening round of the EDF Energy Senior Vase Cup.

Tries from Gavin Hart and Steve Burton in the opening minutes gave Cobham an excellent start and in the remainder of the first half the home side scored two more tries, another from Steve Burton and one from skipper Jack Davison. Cobham's play was excellent, with the pack on top form in the lineout and the scrum and the threequarters executing some fantastic moves at exceptional speed which proved impossible to defend against.

But having dominated the first half Cobham found it tougher in the second half as Crowborough scored a penalty and a converted try at the start of the half to get back into the match and also gained more possession causing Cobham to defend with vigor. Play was far more even as Cobham were unable to continue their total dominance of the match, but Cobham responded well scoring three more tries to maintain the earlier lead. The Cobham second half performance was highly entertaining for the spectators, former skipper Martin Green showing that he was just as speedy as several seasons ago scoring a try to finish off a good move and Cobham's final try was scored by impressive newcomer James Dampier taking the score to almost fifty points.

At the start of the match Cobham were awarded a penalty at a ruck, and from the lineout inside the Crowborough 22 Cobham No8 Gavin Hart made an explosive drive for the line to score the first try, Chris Perry converting. A few minutes later Cobham scored their second try, Steve Burton taking a well timed pass from Chris Parry to burst through the gap in the Crowborough defence and sprint his way to the line in an impressive move. Both sides scored penalties midway during the first half and Cobham were awarded another penalty which Chris Perry converted after Gavin Hart was stopped just short of the line. Cobham kept up the pressure, Will Mealing making a good drive and from a scrum in the Crowborough half, Kevin Jarvis moved in from the right wing and passed to Steve Burton for the Cobham centre to sprint in for his second try.

Just before half time Gavin Hart made a break from the scrum, bursting through tackles in a 30 metre run, and his pass to Jack Davison put the skipper in for a try to give Cobham a 32-3 lead.

After the interval Crowborough had a good start, reducing the deficit with a penalty from Steve Palmer and initially defended well against the Cobham attacks to prevent any further scores. Crowborough were quick to attack a Cobham mistake and from a lineout in the Cobham 22 ran the ball along the line for Dave McDonnaugh to score a good try. Cobham were quick to respond with some excellent support play which resulted in a second try for Gavin Hart to restore a good lead. This was then followed by another Cobham try when a break by Steve Burton in midfield was well supported by full back Martin Green who sprinted in for a try in the corner. Crowborough were far from defeated and Dave McDonnaugh scored a second try after Cobham lost possession in a move, but winger James Dampier responded well with a good try in the corner after Chris Perry did exceptionally well to pass out of the tackle.

Crowborough finished off the scoring with a penalty just before the final whistle but Cobham had done enough to preserve their first half lead and win the match.

Next week Cobham play an important league game against Warlingham where they hope to extend the magnificent performance at the start of the season.

Cobham: M Lawrence (M Green), P Hinchcliffe, J Oliver, S Burton, K Jarvis (J Dampier); C Perry, S Franks; T Lee, M Bennett, W Mealing, C Taylor (I Keyser), M Hahn, J Green, J Davison (capt.), G Hart

Report by Tony Maddocks