1st XV v Tonbridge Juddians

Revenge is sweet for TJs...

This season match reports continue to be authored by Paul Hickson who is a Partner at Seniors' sponsor Menzies, to whom we are as ever hugely endebted. If you like Paul's creative writing, you should also try his creative accounting...

You don't have to be an Accountant to interpret numbers when its a 69-0 score line.

Cobham's largest defeat of the Season and for some time could suggest to those who were not at The Slade, Tonbridge that the wheels had come off, just as Cobham are entering the final quarter of the Season, however its not always about the numbers. The team spirit at Cobham is very strong and at no stage in the match did the heads go down.

Tonbridge hadn't lost a match since losing at The Memorial Grounds last Autumn and there was no doubting their intention for 'revenge', in fact that's what it said in the programme. With seven changes from the team that defeated Hove, Cobham had one eye on next weeks encounter with Wimbledon as they travelled down to Kent.

It didn't augur well as the TJs opened the scoring in the opening few minutes, 7-0 but a feature of Cobham's play in the next twenty minutes was Cobham's tackling. Captain Cowell and Ackroyd were leading by example as Cobham withheld the TJ back line attacks and achieved turnovers from the ensuing breakdowns.

A Cobham offside provided TJ's with a penalty for their second score 10-0 and soon after there was a 'handbags' moment which, recognising it for what it was, was calmly handled by the lady Referee. However, Josh Brown didn't get off so lightly a few minutes later as he incurred a yellow card.

The final ten minutes of the first half were always going to be tough playing with 14 and although Lordy had one of his trademark high leg action runs the TJs Pat Sykes broke through the defence to score 15-0 converted to 17-0 and before the half finished a combination of fine passing saw fly half Hamblin link with second row Carroll to release winger Nauer. Harding converted 24-0.

The pitch at The Slade is situated close to a river so conditions were not ideal for running rugby nor indeed for the Spectators who were sliding around on the touchlines Ground man Chris Humberts was inevitably making comparisons of soil, grass and irrigation but Tom wasn't phased and Dave was happy that he hadn't had to cope with any injuries.

Cobham started the second half strongly and for the first time were playing in the TJ half and were looking to run the ball whenever they could and it was a feature of the half that as the final pass or kick went astray that TJs were quick to take advantage to score. Initially a cross kick was intercepted by Harding who released 17 year old full back Ryman on a blistering run down the wing to score in the corner 29-0 Harding converted from far out 31-0 and soon added to his personal points tally with a penalty 34-0.

Tom made his first substitution with Adam Welland making his debut in the second row and adding a third Flower to the pitch with brother Dave coming in on the wing but TJs were remorseless with back row Martin breaking through, 39-0 and Harding converting 41-0.

And yet amidst all the scores Cobham continued to attack and forced TJ Captain Will Thorpe into a handling offence for which he received his yellow card.

Without taking anything away from Tonbridge but in accordance with the adage less is more there were four more scores from the TJ's in the final quarter. They came from interceptions and opportunistic play as Cobham looked to run every ball.

If we are talking numbers,in very difficult conditions under foot TJ's Harding's 100% conversion and penalty record and final tally of 34 points was exceptional. If we are talking numbers the result made it one all between the Clubs for the Season and finally if we are talking numbers Wimbledon lost 69-8 to Hove ( who we beat last week).

However if we are talking team spirit you only had to be at Le Petit Nantais for the Long Lunch the day after to see how strong that is despite the result.

Provided they recover from their sore heads Cobham will provide a must see match next Saturday against Wimbledon.

1. Richard Nunn

2.Ed Turner

3.Paul Mayer

4.Leo Coates

5. Tristan Lee

6.Josh Brown

7.Simon Ackroyd

8.Doug Rodman

9.Rob Kennard

10.Luke Flower

11.Chris Moreton