1sts defeat against Beckenham

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...

Cobham returned to the Memorial grounds for their first home fixture of 2011, looking to build on the momentum they had achieved the previous week in the second half against Dover.

With Andy Alexander having fallen of a ladder and Rookie with an injury that can't be written in a report that might be read by Ladies there were just three changes to the forwards from the previous weeks team. Richard Nunn, Chris Gibbons and Matt Johnson returning, Billy Bates retaining his position on the wing.

It was anticipated to be a tough match as Beckenham were sitting　4th in the league although　they had　been held　to a draw by Thanet Wanderers the previous week.  

The first 15 minutes was played between the two 22 yard lines with neither side being able to dominate, although Beckenham displayed their forward power. The first score came shortly thereafter when Beckenham pounced on a loose ball following a line out. 0-5. It was not to be the　last of several disputed referring decisions during the afternoon and Cobham appeared to be visibly annoyed as they immediately push Becs back into their half from the kick off.

When the Cobham try came it was fast and involved so many players it was difficult to record completely on paper. With apologies to those missed out it looked to be a Luke Flower break and kick to　10 yards out from Bec's try line which they took into touch, Robbie Kennard taking a quick throw into Tristan who in turn released the ball to first Luke and then brother Andy to finish with a flourish in the corner 5-5 after 20 minutes

From the kick off Cobham nearly scored　again with Luke Flower launching Jackson and then the　Bates Meister only to be held up short but with a decision finally going Cobham's way, Flower secured the penalty 8-5.

The second quarter of the match saw Becs being awarded　some penalties the Cobham supporters failed to fully appreciate, indeed you could say it was causing some angst* on the sidelines however　Becs were failing to turn them into points so all was well until number 12 Alex Jones collected the ball just into the Cobham half and appeared to scythe his way through the Cobham defence to score, which when converted was to to take the score to 8-12 and half time.

We were not to know then of course that this was to be the final score.　

The second half was a war of attrition with rucks frequently lapsing into a mêlée (which is sort of allowed in Australian Rules football but doesn't do rugby any favours) and　the Ref still providing some 'interesting' decisions but Cobham were making all　the running, literally. If the backline could have finished　 just one of the attacks it launched Becs would have been beaten.　 Robbie Kennard and Captain Cowell made breaks that just fell short and with Nunny also breaking through the gain line opportunities were being made but the finish proved elusive.

You could tell how close the match had been　for Becs by the relieving cheer that emanated as the final whistle blew. At 8-12　Cobham gained a bonus point from holding Becs to this score but next weeks away game to Thanet is going to be key　. Thanet won their match against Sutton and Epsom and are just one point in front in the league, Cobham won the the home match earlier in the season 19-17 with the last kick of the game.

Cobham will need as much support as can be mustered as they head off to the Kent seaside.

* a German, Danish, Norwegian and Dutch word to describe an intense feeling of oppression, anxiety or inner turmoil.