Gavin Hart leads the way to another Cobham league victory

Cobham faced their toughest opposition of the season in this visit to Warlingham but raised their performance to an impressive peak at the end of the game to secure victory.

Despite an excellent start with a try from Gavin Hart and two Chris Perry penalties, Cobham found themselves on the back foot after that, as Warlingham demonstrated the form which had given them promotion at the end of last season. Warlingham scored a try just before half-time and scored a second try to level the scores just after the start of the second half.

They would have scored another but for a magnificent try saving tackle by full back Martin Green but then took a deserved three point lead from a penalty goal. For the next twenty minutes Warlingham looked as is they would run in as victors as Cobham were a bit lax in defence and were unable to either get into the Warlingham half or attack with any confidence. Eventually some pacey attacks by the Cobham three-quarters in their own half made some good ground and the surprised Warlingham defence was forced to concede penalties from which Cobham entered the Warlingham 22 for the first time in the second half, and managed a two point lead as Mark Bennett scored a try from a forward drive. Warlingham had five minutes to regain the lead but Cobham's defence was very tight, making no mistakes, and in the final minutes Cobham gained a total territorial advantage, taking the rest of the play close to the Warlingham line, with Jack Davison going over for a try in injury time to seal the victory.

Cobham started the match well, winning a penalty from the kick-off as Warlingham were penalised at the ruck after a Billy Davison charge, and Chris Perry gave Cobham an early lead. Warlingham responded with a penalty, but from a scrum in the Cobham half, Spencer Franks and Chris Perry got the three quarters moving at pace and Martin Green found space in the line sprinting 30 metres until stopped by the Warlingham cover defence.

He was able to get a pass out to the supporting Gavin Hart who charged to the line to score an impressive try under the posts, Chris Perry converting. Another penalty from Chris Perry after good work by the Cobham forwards gave Cobham a ten point lead but Warlingham responded well, making good ground with strong running in the three-quarters, and then forcing a scrum five metres from the Cobham line. After winning possession, Warlingham left wing Ben Wiseman was passed the ball and drove over the line for Warlingham's first try. Warlingham became more confident and could have scored another try but some good Cobham tackling and also could have extended the lead if they had been successful with a couple of penalties.

After the interval Warlingham kept up the pressure, controlling possession and dominating play in the Cobham half. The Warlingham three-quarters set up another attack and from a grubber kick ahead, full back Mark Kosminski beat the Cobham cover defence to touch down for the home side's second try and to even the scores. Good defence prevented another score but Cobham were penalised for handling at a ruck and Warlingham took the lead with a penalty from Mark Kosminski.

Warlingham continued to attack with vigour, forcing Cobham to defend well, but failed to increase their points missing a kickable penalty, and were unable to score another try despite having complete possession and territorial advantages. Eventually Cobham managed to get back on the attack, Billy Davison critically winning a Warlingham lineout thus giving the backs the opportunity to break out of their own half. Play was taken into the home side 22 and from a lineout in the corner, a good catch and impressive drive took the pack over the line, Mark Bennett scoring a try to return the lead to Cobham.

Warlingham were keen to restore the lead but again the Cobham pack stood in the way, winning the ball against the head at an important scrum and then taking play deep into the Warlingham 22. From a scrum close to the line Gavin Hart picked up at No8 and drove through a couple of defenders to make good ground and was able to offload to the supporting Jack Davison, who scored the final try of the match.

Cobham have won three out of three in the lead and at the top of the table look well placed for an excellent season.

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

Report by Tony Maddocks