Cobham's superb performance achieves victory in opening league game

In their first league game of the season, Cobham showed sensational form against local rivals Weybridge Vandals, outscoring the hosts by eight tries to two to give the visitors the best start for many years.

Skipper Billy Davison again led from the front and the blistering pace of Cobham's game and the magnificent support play of the entire team gave an edge that Vandals found difficult to defend against.

After an opening try in the first minute from winger Kevin Jarvis, some of the first half was evenly contested as both sides sought to dominate, and although Cobham extended their lead with a try from hooker Mark Bennett, their lead was reduced when Vandals replied just before half time to restrict Cobham's lead to 17-10.

But in the second half the Cobham performance stepped up a gear, and with the excellent lineout catching of Billy Davison, Cobham secured their wanted possession which allowed both the backs and the forwards to play at pace. Fly half Dan Taylor and centre James Oliver both had excellent games and were ably supported by the Cobham back row of Jack Davison, Simon Mills and Gavin Hart.

The excellent high speed support play resulted in tries for James Oliver, Simon Mills, and a second from Mark Bennett to give Cobham an unassailable lead. Following further impressive team performance, Cobham's scoring was finished off by tries from Steve Burton and Kevin Jarvis to put the result beyond doubt. Vandals finished the match with a well deserved try to make the scoreline more respectable for the home side, but Cobham had done more than enough to demonstrate their exceptional standard of play and should look forward to a highly successful season.

Cobham started the game well, winning possession at the ruck following their kick-off at the start of the match, and fly half Chris Perry got the backs moving at pace for Kevin Jarvis to sprint into the corner for the opening try.

Cobham kept up the pressure but Vandals gained some ground as Cobham conceded penalties due to undisciplined comments to the referee and Vandals managed to score a penalty from Andy Harrison. Cobham lost veteran prop Richard Spratt through injury but despite his departure attacked strongly in the Vandals 22 from a lineout, the forwards combining well and driving strongly for Mark Bennett to score an important try. A good break by centre James Oliver took Cobham to the Vandals line and the referee awarded a penalty try as Vandals were offside in defence on the try line, Chris Perry converting to give Cobham a 15 point lead. Vandals were far from out of it and showed their potential at the end of the first half scoring an excellent try under the posts following an Andy Harrison chip ahead.

After the interval Cobham were quickly into scoring more tries, a break by Dan Taylor created space for James Oliver to sprint in for an excellent try, Dan Taylor converting and shortly afterwards, a lineout catch by Billy Davison resulted in a forwards drive across the Vandals line, Mark Bennett scoring his second try.

Play continued in the Vandals half as Cobham kept up the pressure and from a scrum in midfield Spencer Franks' darting break at a scrum was well supported by the impressive Gavin Hart who passed to wing forward Simon Mills for one of the best tries of the day, Dan Taylor converting. Cobham were now totally in control and all the team were supporting each other well as further scores were sought. Tristan Lee made a strong run at pace through the Vandals defence and the excellent team support gave Steve Burton the opportunity to show his pace, the centre sprinting in for a good try. A further Cobham attack, again ably supported, was finished off by Kevin Jarvis sprinting into the corner for his second try to take Cobham close to fifty points. In the final minutes of the match Vandals showed that they have a good side and will do well in the season, scoring from a try after following up a long kick ahead.

Cobham: N Sutton, D Taylor, J Oliver, S Burton, K Jarvis; C Perry, S Franks; R Spratt, M Bennett, T Lee,
B Davison, I Keyser, S Mills, J Davison, G Hart

Report by Tony Maddocks