At first sight this result looks to be just another defeat
for Cobham, however if ever a match required a report to tell the story it was
this one.
There were at least three or four moments during this game
when Cobham's heads could have easily have gone down and it is to their immense
credit that they did not but instead responded passionately and played some of
their best attacking rugby this Season.
Beckenham traveled to the Memorial grounds having been
blown away the previous week at home by Haywards Heath 22-55 conceding three
tries in the first seven minutes of the game. Obviously stung by that result
Beckenham passed on the experience to Cobham as winger Headlam ran in a brace
of tries, both converted by Chivers in the first 5 minutes. The tries were so
similar 'déjà vu' and 'groundhog day' didn't really do them justice. 0-14
Those first five minutes therefore set up what was to be a
baptism of fire for Cobham's six full home debutantes; Harty, Joyce, Donoghue,
Kunkler, Ashton and Sears, coming on as substitute, but in what was to become a
pattern for the game the setback merely acted as a trigger for Cobham to
respond with their own pressure on Beckenham that was rewarded after 10 minutes
by a Luke Flower break feeding Tom Harty for a skilful first try under the
posts, converted by Flower 7-14
Cobham had looked to have got over the initial shock opening
minutes as they maintained the pressure but a breakaway by Beckenham was
rewarded by the Referee when it was adjudged that Cobham had obstructed
Beckenham in the chase for a kick ahead in the in goal area, 7-21 Once again Cobham were two goals behind and
staring down the barrel.
After 25 minutes Doug Rodman broke from the back of the
Cobham scrum and ran the length of the pitch to not only relieve the pressure
for Cobham but also set up a sustained period of pressure on the Beckenham line
which saw Chris Gibbons adjudged to be held up. Switching the ball to the other
wing a Cobham line out and drive saw Billy Davison score another of his
trademark tries 12-21 and although Luke Flower was unable to convert he was
able to secure a penalty just before half time to turn around 15-21.
It had been an exciting first half with no quarter given
during which Cobham had been encouraged by the Vice Presidents and Patrons who
had enjoyed their annual lunch together. However if the drama of the 36 points
in the first half were not enough they were now to be followed by a further 26
allowed and 5 disallowed in an equally fascinating half played from end to end.
Emulating the first half Beckenham scored quickly with
winger Charlie Baffour collecting his own kick ahead to score under the posts
Chivers converting 15-28 cue Cobham to come storming back with Josh Brown
stealing from the line out, Rodman continuing his back row break outs and Harty
jinking his way through the opposition. The scrums were being fiercely
contested at each end with both scrum halves spoiling possession in a tit for
tat fashion.
After 60 minutes Cobham substitutes Charlie Rooke and Guy
Sears came on and soon after the success Cobham had been enjoying in their
driving mauls was rewarded when George Donoghue became the second debutant to
score, 20-28 Flower converting 22-28. From the kick off Cobham drove up the
middle deep into Beckenham territory and after an exciting passage of interplay
between the backs Rookie 'scored' in the corner to make it ..well still 22-28
with the Ref judging a knock on had occurred .
Cobham didn't allow themselves to consider what might have
been and maintained their composure on the field (Although it was a different
matter off the field for Tom Schofield !) Even after Beckenham winger Charlie
Baffour scored his second try, intercepting a Cobham backline pass 22-33 which
Chivers converted to maintain his 100% record 22-35, Cobham did not relent as
they returned to the Beckenham half for Rodman to score a really well deserved
final bonus point try 27-35 before the final whistle was blown.
The numerous positional changes for Cobham, enforced through
injury and absence are inevitably preventing any continuity in team selection
but blended with the youth are seasoned players who have been here before and
despite the recent results this is a Cobham side that is starting not only to
believe in its own ability but demonstrate it to the delight of its supporters.
Cobham's next league match is away to Portsmouth on November
12th It promises to be an epic game between two teams with just 3 points
between them.
Paul Hickson
