Cobham extend league leadership after superb top of the table clash

Facing their most crucial game of the season, with both sides having won all their league matches this season before this encounter, league leaders Cobham were expecting a very close match in their visit to London Cornish.

Cornish were only second in the league due to a slightly lower points difference and both sides were keen to gain confidence for the rest of the season with a good result in this match.

The first half was a very even affair, Cornish scoring a very good try from a superb attack early on but Cobham responded well with an excellent try from Jack Davison and then took a one point lead at half time from a well struck Steve Burton penalty goal. With only a single point difference the score was an accurate representation of the even performance from the two sides and it appeared that either side could win, but in the second half Cobham performed exceptionally well with their best performance of the season.

The Cobham pack was solid on their own ball, also putting the opposition under severe pressure on their put in, and the lineout possession was guaranteed with Mark Bennett's exceptionally accurate throwing finding Billy Davison and the other Cobham lineout jumpers on every occasion.

The rucking in the loose play was top form and Cobham were able to attack over the length of the field, which gave the speedy Cobham threequarters every chance to finish off with a scoring opportunity. A try from Nick Sutton gave Cobham an important lead at the start of the second half and then tries from Jack Davison and Dan Taylor extended the lead to achieve an unassailable victory.

Cobham kicked off at the start of the match but were soon under attack from a well organised and pacy London Cornish side that forced Cobham to defend with vigour. Cornish were unable to break through the Cobham defence and then Cobham responded well, taking play deep into the Cornish 22 but similarly were unable to score. Cobham were penalised in a move and a good kick from the Cornish fly half David Dalrymple took play deep into the Cobham 22.

Cornish won the lineout, moving the ball across the three-quarter line and good support from their captain Tom Thirwell and the rest of the back row created space for fullback Dan Pollard to speed in for the opening try, David Dalrymple converting. On this form Cornish looked a strong side capable of winning the match but Cobham, with exceptional support play by the entire Cobham team, then took play deep into the Cornish 22. Matt Hahn picked up the ball released from a scrum close to the Cornish line and charged at the defence, his well timed pass allowed Jack Davison to dive over the line for an important Cobham try.

Cornish kept up the pressure in their attacks but wing forward Manuel De Mello was yellow carded for a punch to Tristan Lee and Cobham took full advantage, Steve Burton scoring a penalty goal after the opposition were offside at a ruck to give Cobham a one point lead at the break.

The second half started with good play by London Cornish, but great defence by Cobham kept the home side out. Cobham then took control with attacking runs from Gavin Hart and James Oliver in the Cornish half and Cobham consistently made some spectacular moves which stretched the Cornish defence. Dan Taylor made a sharp break through the Cornish defence and the ball was moved quickly along the line to Nick Sutton who made the extra man sprinting over the line for an excellent try.

A good kick from Spencer Franks then took play into the Cornish 22, Billy Davison taking possession at the lineout and the Cobham pack consistently drove for the line with a series of rucks only a metre or so off the Cornish line, Jack Davison finishing off the move by driving over the line through two defenders to score his second try. Cornish were far from defeated, knowing that another score would significantly reduce Cobham's eleven point lead, but despite forcing a scrum five metres out from the Cobham line, were unable to break through the totally committed Cobham defence. With Cobham on the counter attack, Cornish were forced to concede a penalty which took play deep into their half.

From a scrum in the 22, Gavin Hart picked up at No8, drove at the defence, and a pass to Dan Taylor allowed the Cobham fly half to sprint in for a try, Steve Burton converting.

With only a few minutes left, Cobham extended the lead with a penalty from Steve Burton to win the match in style and can be most pleased with the victory, having achieved a magnificent team performance, the result justifiably retaining them at the top of the league.

Cobham: N Sutton, M Green (J Dampier), J Oliver, S Burton, M Lawrence; D Taylor, S Franks; T Lee, M Bennett, A Daryll-Warren, B Davison (Capt) , I Keyser (S Mills), M Hahn, J Davison (J Green), G Hart

Report by Tony Maddocks